Crémant de Bourgogne French wine appellation guide: location, history, wines, climate & soil
Crémant de Bourgogne is Burgundy's traditional-method sparkling wine, made from the same Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as Champagne and offering elegance and finesse at a fraction of the price.
More info about Crémant de Bourgogne
Geographic position
Eastern France, across the whole Burgundy region, from Chablis and the Châtillonnais in the north through the Côte d'Or and Côte Chalonnaise to the Mâconnais and Beaujolais in the south.
Origin & history
Burgundy has made sparkling wines since the early 19th century, when a Champagne-trained winemaker set up in Nuits-Saint-Georges. The Crémant de Bourgogne AOC was created in 1975, replacing "Bourgogne Mousseux" with stricter rules; Éminent and Grand Éminent categories for longer-aged cuvées were added in 2016.
Wines & grape varieties
White and rosé sparkling wines, aged at least 9 months on lees. Main grapes are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with Gamay, Aligoté, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Expect green apple, lemon, white flowers, brioche and fine, creamy bubbles; Blanc de Blancs are pure Chardonnay.
Climate & soil
Cool semi-continental climate. Limestone and marl soils give freshness and minerality.
Wine region: Burgundy
Grape varieties: Aligoté, Chardonnay, Gamay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir