When we think of champagne, our minds immediately turn to the famous houses of the Champagne-Ardenne region. Yet France has many other sparkling treasures that deserve our attention.
As champagne enthusiasts, we’ve explored beyond the traditional champagne appellation zone to discover lesser-known but equally fascinating regions. From the Loire to Alsace, Burgundy and the Jura, we’ve mapped these exceptional wine-growing territories that produce remarkable sparkling wines.
In this article, we’ll take you on a tour of five little-known regions where you can taste exceptional bubbles, far off the beaten track of the classic champagne vineyard map.
The Loire: the cradle of Crémants
Our journey to discover French bubbles begins in the Loire Valley, a region that has established itself as France’s second-largest sparkling wine producer.
History of Loire sparkling wines
The history of Loire bubbles really took off in 1811, when 21-year-old Jean Baptiste Ackerman established his company in Saumur. By studying the unique characteristics of the region’s wines, he discovered their natural ability to develop a second fermentation, paving the way for a new winemaking tradition.
Saumur’s troglodyte cellars
What makes our region particularly fascinating are its troglodytic caves. With almost 1,200 kilometers of galleries, these caves offer ideal conditions for the production of sparkling wines:
- A constant temperature of around 12 degrees
- Perfect hygrometry
- Low natural light levels
Family estates to discover
Today, nearly 40 million bottles of Crémant de Loire are produced every year by some 350 passionate winegrowers. These wines, made mainly from Chenin and Cabernet Franc, are distinguished by their characteristic freshness and delicate white fruit notes.
The winemaking process, similar to that used in the Champagne-Ardenne region, involves hand-picking and gentle pressing. The wines then rest for a minimum of 9 months on laths, developing their unique aromatic complexity.
Alsace and its sparkling traditions
Continuing our exploration of sparkling wine regions, we discover Alsace, which has established itself as France’s leading crémant-producing region, with over 31 million liters made in 2018.
The Alsace wine route
Our journey takes us along the Alsace Wine Route, inaugurated on May 30, 1953. This emblematic route winds its way through picturesque villages on the eastern slopes of the Vosges Massif. This historic route allows us to discover the unique terroirs that give birth to these exceptional bubbles.
Traditional Alsatian methods
Alsatian winemakers perpetuate a rigorous winemaking method, similar to that used in the Champagne-Ardenne region. We’re particularly impressed by their meticulous approach, which begins with an early harvest to preserve the liveliness of the grapes. The main grape varieties used are :
- Pinot Blanc, for freshness and delicacy
- Riesling, offering lively, fruity notes
- Pinot Gris, for richness
- Chardonnay, for its fine notes
Historic houses to visit
Among the pioneers, we must mention Julien Dopff, who, fascinated by a demonstration at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900, decided to apply the traditional method to Alsace wines. Today, more than 500 winemakers perpetuate this age-old tradition, each bringing his or her own unique touch to this viticultural heritage. In 1976, their efforts were rewarded with the creation of the AOC Crémant d’Alsace, a recognition that has propelled these sparkling wines onto the international stage.
Secret Burgundy
Burgundy has plenty of sparkling surprises in store, far beyond its famous still wines. In this multi-faceted region, we discovered sparkling treasures that rival the best.
The little-known terroirs of crémant
Over 300 communes in the Yonne, Côte-d’Or, Saône-et-Loire and Rhône regions offer a mosaic of exceptional terroirs. Winegrowers select their grapes carefully, harvesting them earlier than for still wines to preserve their precious acidity. This diversity of soils – clay, limestone, chalk and granite – gives each cuvée its unique character.
Small, exceptional producers
We had the privilege of meeting some of the 240 passionate producers who perpetuate the Crémant de Bourgogne tradition. The main grape varieties that make up their cuvées are:
- Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as the main grape varieties
- Aligoté, Melon and Sacy as complements
Confidential tastings
In the Châtillonnais region, a 120-kilometer wine-tourism route invites you to discover 23 communes classified as AOC Crémant de Bourgogne. Every year, on the third weekend in March, the Fête du Crémant et du Tape Chaudron brings together some 5,000 enthusiasts to celebrate these exceptional wines.
Tastings reveal Blancs de Blancs with citrus and white flower aromas, more powerful Blancs de Noirs with red fruit notes, and remarkably delicate rosés. After a few years’ ageing, these crémants develop complex aromas of apricot, peach and toast.
Authentic Jura
In the heart of the mountain foothills, we discover the Jura vineyards, a viticultural treasure trove stretching 80 kilometers along the Revermont. Although smaller than the Champagne appellation zone, this region reveals a fascinating sparkling wine tradition.
Jura wine traditions
The history of Jura sparkling wines dates back to the 17th century, long before many other regions ventured into the art of bubbles. We’re impressed by current production, which stands at around 17,000 hectolitres of white sparkling wine and 2,000 hectolitres of rosé. Jura winegrowers perpetuate a unique savoir-faire using five emblematic grape varieties:
- Chardonnay (minimum 50% for whites)
- Savagnin
- Poulsard
- Trousseau
- Pinot Noir
Ancestral cellars to explore
In Jura cellars, we observe a meticulous aging process that lasts a minimum of 9 months on laths. The traditional method, similar to that used in the Champagne-Ardenne region, begins with manual harvesting, followed by transport in pierced crates and whole-cluster pressing.
Local wine and food pairings
Our exploration reveals that Crémants du Jura particularly excel with local cuisine. We appreciate their versatility at the table, particularly with :
- Franc-Comtois specialties such as Comté and Morbier cheeses
- Dishes with morel mushrooms, an emblematic regional pairing
- Fish accompanied by lemon sauces
The whites seduce us with their aromas of green apple, peach and floral notes of hawthorn, while the rosés charm us with their scents of cherry, raspberry and strawberry. The ideal serving temperature is between 8 and 10°C, to fully appreciate the finesse of the bubbles and the aromatic complexity of these exceptional wines.
Conclusion
Our journey through these little-known regions reminds us that the excellence of French sparkling wines extends far beyond the borders of Champagne-Ardenne. The Loire, Alsace, Burgundy and Jura each offer their own unique interpretation of the art of bubbles, rooted in centuries-old traditions and remarkable expertise.
These terroirs, with their historic cellars, traditional methods and passionate winemakers, produce wines that deserve our attention. Crémants from these regions seduce us with their aromatic diversity, their finesse and their ability to rival the greatest champagnes, while retaining their authentic character and unique identity.
Our exploration confirms that France still conceals many winegrowing treasures to be discovered. These lesser-known but equally fascinating regions prove that the excellence of French sparkling wines knows no borders.
FAQs
Q1. Which French regions are less well-known for their sparkling wines? In addition to Champagne, France has several regions producing excellent sparkling wines, including Loire, Alsace, Burgundy and Jura. These regions offer high-quality crémants with their own unique characteristics.
Q2. What makes the Loire caves special for sparkling wine production? The troglodytic caves of the Loire, stretching over almost 1,200 kilometers of galleries, offer ideal conditions for the production of sparkling wines. They maintain a constant temperature of around 12 degrees Celsius, perfect hygrometry and low natural light levels.
Q3. What are the main grape varieties used in Crémant d’Alsace production? Crémant d’Alsace is mainly made from Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Each grape variety brings its own unique characteristics, contributing to the wine’s freshness, liveliness and richness.
Q4: What distinguishes Crémants de Bourgogne? Crémants de Bourgogne are distinguished by the diversity of their terroirs, including clay, limestone, chalk and granite soils. They are mainly made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with additions of Aligoté, Melon and Sacy, offering a varied aromatic palette.
Q5. What food and wine pairings are recommended for Crémants du Jura? Crémants du Jura go particularly well with local cuisine. They are excellent with Franc-Comtois specialties such as Comté and Morbier cheeses, morel dishes, and fish accompanied by lemon sauces. Their versatility makes them a favorite at the table.
