Crémant d'Alsace French wine appellation guide: location, history, wines, climate & soil
Crémant d'Alsace is France's best-selling sparkling wine after Champagne, a traditional-method sparkler from Alsace offering fresh, elegant bubbles and excellent value.
More info about Crémant d'Alsace
Geographic position
Northeastern France, in the Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin departments, along a narrow 100 km strip of the Vosges foothills between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, across the whole Alsace wine region facing the Rhine and Germany.
Origin & history
Alsace producers began making sparkling wine by the Champagne method in the early 1900s, notably Julien Dopff after visiting the Paris Exposition of 1900. The Crémant d'Alsace AOC was created in 1976 and quickly became a major success; it now represents about a quarter of Alsace wine production.
Wines & grape varieties
White and rosé sparkling wines aged at least 9 months on lees. Whites mainly from Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois, with Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs); rosés from 100% Pinot Noir. Expect green apple, pear, citrus, white flowers and brioche, with fine, lively bubbles.
Climate & soil
Semi-continental climate, one of the driest in France thanks to the Vosges rain shadow. Granite, limestone, sandstone, marl and volcanic soils.
Wine region: Alsace
Grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling