AOC Burgundy Crémant

From the Yonne down to Beaujolais, Crémant de Bourgogne is made under one appellation across the Rhône, Saône-et-Loire, Côte-d’Or and Yonne departments. It is always a quality sparkling wine, white or rosé. What lies beneath the vines and the way growers train them, however, vary from one district to the next.

Arched Canes and Chablis Pruning: Vines Trained the Local Way

A vineyard this spread out keeps some differences in how wine is grown. Each small district of Crémant de Bourgogne has held on to inherited ways of training vines: arched canes in the Mâconnais, so-called “Chablis” pruning in the Yonne.

For Chardonnay and Sacy, the appellation allows the Mâconnais “taille à queue.” Chablis pruning is allowed too, except in the Rhône and in the part of Saône-et-Loire mapped for the Mâcon appellation.

Planting density varies too. Vineyards need at least 5,000 vines per hectare (about 2,020 per acre), but 4,000 (about 1,620) is enough in the Hautes Côtes, where rows may be up to 3 meters (10 feet) apart instead of 2.5 meters (8 feet).

The rock beneath the vines changes just as much. From the chalky bedrock around Joigny, in the Yonne, it moves to the limestone and marl of the slopes, then to the granite of southern Burgundy.

These outcrops of granite and metamorphic rock, found mostly in Saône-et-Loire, give acidic soils, unlike the limy marl of the north.

History of the AOC Crémant de Bourgogne

The AOC Crémant de Bourgogne, celebrating the art of sparkling winemaking, is a relatively recent appellation in Burgundy's wine history. Officially recognized in 1975, it nonetheless perpetuates a tradition of producing sparkling wines dating back to the 19th century. This appellation is the result of rigorous expertise in crafting quality sparkling wines at affordable prices.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Crémant de Bourgogne

• Climate: Burgundy enjoys a cool oceanic climate with continental influences, characterized by cold winters and hot summers. This climate is conducive to the slow ripening of grapes, essential for crafting quality crémants.
• Soils: Vineyards designated for Crémant de Bourgogne production grow on a variety of soils, from limestone and clay to granitic and schistous terroirs, contributing to the diversity and complexity of the wines.

Emblematic Grape Varieties of AOC Crémant de Bourgogne

Crémant de Bourgogne is primarily made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Other white and red grape varieties such as Aligoté, Gamay, and even Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris may also be used. Each grape variety brings its unique touch, enhancing the aromatic richness of the crémants.

Style of AOC Crémant de Bourgogne Wine

• White Crémant: Presenting a pale yellow color with fine and persistent bubbles, white Crémant de Bourgogne offers aromas of citrus, white flowers, and sometimes hazelnut or brioche, depending on the aging. On the palate, it is fresh, elegant, with a beautiful acidity and a delicate fizziness.
• Rosé Crémant: With its delicate robe ranging from pale pink to salmon, rosé Crémant de Bourgogne reveals aromas of fresh red fruits, such as strawberry and raspberry, and sometimes floral notes. The palate is lively, fruity, and refreshing.

Best Food Pairings with Crémant de Bourgogne

Follow our recommendations to create the best food and wine pairings with a bottle of sparkling wine from a domaine or château in AOC Crémant de Bourgogne, whether white or rosé:

• White Sparkling Wine: Crab salad, oysters, Burgundy snails.
• Rosé Sparkling Wine: Aperitif, strawberry charlotte, fruit salad.

Crémant de Bourgogne: Departments, Gamay and Volume

Which department has the most Crémant de Bourgogne villages?

Saône-et-Loire has the most Crémant de Bourgogne communes: 154 of 385, according to the Burgundy wine board (BIVB). Next come the Côte-d’Or (91), the Rhône (85) and the Yonne (55), across some 250 kilometers (155 miles) from north to south.

How much Gamay can go into Crémant de Bourgogne?

Crémant de Bourgogne can contain up to 30% Gamay in its cuvée, the wines bottled to develop their bubbles. Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir must together make up at least 30%.

How much Crémant de Bourgogne is produced each year?

Crémant de Bourgogne averaged 166,335 hectoliters (about 4.4 million US gallons) a year from 2017 to 2021, according to the Burgundy wine board. That is about 22 million bottles. In 2022, its producing vineyards covered some 2,980 hectares (7,360 acres).

Where can you buy Crémant de Bourgogne direct from the winemaker?

You can buy Crémant de Bourgogne direct from the winemaker on Avenue des Vins. Every wine’s page lists its grape varieties.

See also: AOC Crémant de Loire - AOC Crémant de Limoux - AOC Crémant d'Alsace