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Beyond traditional sparkling French wine

23/06/2020 Winemaking

If we’re talking about sparkling wines, there’s no doubt that the French are the kings. The great reputation of champagne monopolizes most of our glasses when we start to celebrate. However, outside this denomination located in the heart of the Gallic country, there’s a great variety of French sparkling wines which also have much to offer. Exquisite winemaking, which shows a very interesting identity to discover in terms of terroir, diversity and quality.

Take a walk through the French sparkling wine section at Decántalo and filter your search as it suits you: by area, denomination, method or variety

Crémant, a very smooth French sparkling wine

Among the French sparkling wines which get away from champagne, we find those made under the AOC Crémant nomenclature. This is an appellation encompassing all those French sparkling wines which, although vinified with the same Champenoise Method, are made in six regions outside Champagne.

The original name Crémant refers to its smooth and creamy texture. Some very special sensations which come from a lower pressure bubble than that of Champagne (2-3 atmospheres). A characteristic which, however, is no longer a main element of the Crémants today because they currently reach 5-6 atmospheres of pressure like the traditional sparkling wines from Champagne. 

Although the Regulatory Council of Crémant is a little less strict than that of Champagne, the production of each must respect the conditions of each region. Requirements such as manual harvesting, whole bunch pressing, limited must extraction and a minimum aging of 9 months in the bottle are included in the six AOC Crémant in Alsace, Burgundy, Loire, Jura, Limoux and Bordeaux. Six regions which, although broadly speaking make similar Crémants, in fact each AOC has its own characteristics.

Of these six regions, the Loire Valley stands out. A place which, after Champagne, is the Gallic territory where the most sparkling wines are made. Thus, in addition to the previous denomination named Crémant de Loira, two other denominations coexist: AOC Saumur Mousseux and AOC Vouvray. Two appellations which are also assiduous in producing sparkling wines with the traditional method and which are usually made with native varieties such as chardonnay, chenin blanc and cabernet franc in the former and chenin in the latter.

Pétillant naturel, ancestral sparkling French wines

Although Champagne and Crémant are the star names when it comes to French sparkling wines, the truth is that a new generation of Gallic winemakers are creating delicious local products where minimal intervention and maximum respect for the grape prevail. This is how pét-nats (pétillant naturel) are born, sparkling wines which trap the bubble in the bottle in the most traditional way. While the Champenoise or traditional method is characterized by a second fermentation in the bottle, in pét-nats everything is reduced to a single fermentation which is prepared in two containers. First in the tank and before fermentation ends, it’s transferred to the bottle where the action of the sugars and yeasts naturally present continues giving rise to the characteristic bubbles.

Taking into account that these winegrowers face the challenge of working exclusively with ingredients from the field itself, the truth is that it’s one of the purest and most natural fermentations. Work which results in fruity and immediate sparkling wines, with moderate alcoholic graduations. A most natural bubbling wonder.

5 French sparkling wines to discover

Now you know that there’s a whole world outside Champagne, we suggest a bubbly journey through 5 winegrowers to arm yourself with. Be sure to try them if you have the chance.

1- Bruno Rochard Grains de Folie Pet Nat 2018 

Produced by the respected viticulturist Bruno Rochard, this sparkling wine is a pétillant naturel which comes into being in the most natural way in the Loire region with the native chenin variety. Authentic freshness and fruitiness without sulphites.

2- Taille aux Loups Brut Tradition 

Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups is a flagship winery in the Loire for the absolute control its viticulturist Jacky Blot has over the Chenin variety. A mastery which is reflected in this sparkling wine made by the traditional method.  Mineral, deep and very elegant.  

3- Kreydenweiss Crémant d’Alsace 2017 

This is a sparkling white wine which comes from a winery with a long tradition. More than 300 years of history has made the Kreydenweiss family true masters in the creation of Crémants d’Alsace. Fresh, fruity, with delicious hints of bakery.

4- Ganevat Rott’Fall’R 

In the Jura region, Jean-François “Fanfan” Ganevat and his sister Anne Ganevat are responsible for making this pétillant naturel under biodynamic principles. An ancestral wine made with the Riesling variety which comes from Alsace. A sparkling wine which surprises and excites from the first sip.

5- Domaine François Mikulski Crémant de Bourgogne 2018

Known for the great white wines he makes in the town of Meursault (Burgundy), François Mikulski presents us with a true Crémant de Bourgogne. A sparkling wine with the chardonnay, aligoté and pinot noir varieties with a defined character which shows the purity and elegance this winery so much aims for. 

Be that as it may, bubbles always triumph! … We make it easy for you, now you just have to choose.

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