Effervescence Unleashed: What is Crémant de Bourgogne?

Part of the Effervescence Unleashed program is to highlight the various sparkling wine regions and methods used throughout the world. One of these is Crémant de Bourgogne, a regional appellation for sparkling wine in the Bourgogne region of France.  According to The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB), "the appellation Crémant de Bourgogne is restricted to effervescent wines made from still wines (called vins de base) by the traditional method (1)".  

The grapes from which the vins de base for Crémant de Bourgogne are made come from a wide variety of soils in vineyard districts throughout Bourgogne. They range from the chalky subsoil of the Joigny district in the north to the granites of southern Bourgogne, via the limestones and marls of the Côtes where most of the wines of this appellation are grown. The primary grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (minimum 30%) with secondary varieties: Gamay (20% maximum), Aligoté, Melon, Sacy.  Aligoté is a white grape variety known for its high acidity and is often used in blends to add structure and freshness. The Melon grape, also known as Melon de Bourgogne, is a variety of white grape primarily grown in the Loire Valley and is known for producing lean, mineral, and saline-driven white wines. Sacy is a light-skinned grape variety grown in the Yonne department in the far north of Burgundy.

This La Burgondie Brut Rosé ($12) was purchased at Trader Joes for an under $12.99 Sparkling buy and is composed of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay. It is dry, but comes across sweeter with the abundance of strawberry flavor and minor minerality.  We paired the sparkling rosé with The Winemakers, a book  written by Jan Moran and featured during the BevFluence book series held at the Chicago Speakeasy. The love story and part-thriller is a good read, even for the less romantically inclined, and highlights winemaking in Napa Valley and Montalcino, Italy, with a side note to Bordeaux, France. 

Happy sipping and reading. 

(1) The traditional method, also known as méthode traditionnelle, is a process used to produce high-end sparkling wines. This method involves a second fermentation that occurs in the bottle, which is where the wine gets its bubbles. After the initial fermentation, the base wine is blended, and a small amount of sugar and yeast is added to each bottle. The bottles are then sealed and stored horizontally in a wine cellar to undergo the secondary fermentation. During this process, carbon dioxide is trapped in the bottle, creating the bubbles characteristic of sparkling wine.

After the secondary fermentation, the bottles are gradually tilted to an upside-down position and rotated slightly each day in a process called riddling. This helps to collect the sediment, or lees, in the neck of the bottle. The neck of the bottle is then frozen, and the cap is removed, ejecting the frozen sediment in a process called disgorgement. Immediately after disgorging, the bottle is topped up with a mixture of sugar and wine, known as the dosage, to adjust the sweetness level of the wine before it is corked and sealed.

Discovering #BourgogneUnknown with Bourgogne Wines

"I normally shy away from white wines, but that one (Jean Chartron Rully Montmorin 2015) was delicious", Anonymous Neighbor 1

"This wine (Domaine Dominique Gruhier Bourgogne Epineuil 2015) is so good....we loved it", text from Anonymous Neighbor 2

I generally disperse wines I receive as samples amongst my neighbors once the official tasting session has concluded and a recent #BourgogneUnknown registered immediate and overwhelmingly positive feedback from the beneficiaries. That is Bourgogne and not Burgundy as Bourgogne Wines seeks to "re-affirm its identity as one of the most iconic ‘brands’ of France, the region and its producers are reverting back to the original French iteration of its name – Bourgogne".

This iconic region spans 230 km of territory from North to South and encompasses 84 distinct appellations. Of these, there are seven regional appellations, 44 village appellations, and 33 Grand Cru Climats. Some of these appellations, such as Chablis and Côte de Nuits are well-known so this tasting targeted smaller village regions such as Marsannay, Bourgogne Epineuil, Chorey-les-Beaune, Pouilly-Vinzelles, and Rully. And as all of Bourgogne, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the main players, yet variations in character occur across the different appellations. The wines discussed below were not only delicious but affordable ranging in price from $25-$30.

Around 250 million years ago, an emerald lagoon covered what is now the Bourgogne winegrowing region. As a result, the subsoil contains marine marl and limestone deposits. The roots of the vines go deep into this unique geological legacy, drawing from it the finesse, depth and minerality that are so characteristic of Bourgogne appellations.

 • Pinot Noir flourishes on marl soils that are more yielding and porous, that tend towards limestone and which offer good drainage. It will produce light and sophisticated or powerful and full-bodied wines, depending on the proportion of limestone, stone content and clay on the plot where it grows.

 • Chardonnay prefers more clayey marly limestone soils from which it can develop sophisticated, elegant aromas in the future wine. The clay helps produce breadth in the mouth, characteristic of the Bourgogne region’s great white wines.

Source:  Bourgogne Wines

Domaine Dominique Gruhier Bourgogne Epineuil 2015
The village of Epineuil is located in the larger Auxerrois regions, northeast of Chablis and sharing the same Kimmeridgian soils. Bourgogne Epineuil is a regional AOC that was created in 1993 and only recognizes 100% Pinot Noir. On the other hand, its neighbor Bourgogne Tonnerre features only 100% Chardonnay. This wine is very pleasant 100% organic Pinot Noir wine with juicy and chewy fruit, dusty and mild middle, and finishing with fresh acids.

Catherine et Claude Maréchal Chorey-les-Beaune 2014
The village of Chorey-les-Beaune is located just to the north of the town of Beaune and produces both red and white wines. This red wine is 100% Pinot Noir - not flashy - but steady integrated fruit and soft lingering tannins.

Maison Louis Latour Pouilly-Vinzelles "En Paradis" 2015
Pouilly-Vinzelles is a small appellation in the Mâconnais region where their white wines are full expressions of Chardonnay. Its famous neighbor, Pouilly-Fuissé, is actially around 20 times smaller in acreage! The name Vinzelles takes its name from the latin vincella which means small vine and these vines are planted in predominantly limestone soils. This wine is fantastic; completely integrated with creamy white stone fruit and citrus, minerals, and refreshing acidity.

Jean Chartron Rully Montmorin 2015
The Rully appellation is optimally situated in the northern part of the Côte Chalonnaise where light and sandy soils create fresh Chardonnay. this wine is 100% barrel fermented and maturing on its lees for 8 months in barrel and 4 months in tank. This helps produce a fuller slightly buttery body but with juicy white fruit and finishing with plenty of lift. Easy to see why my neighbor enjoyed the switch from red wines.

Domaine Bart Marsannay Chardonnay Musque Les Favieres 2015
Domaine Bart is run by Martin Bart, who has prime land in Marsannay, the northern most wine village in the Côte de Nuits in Bourgogne. This AOC was created in 1987 and is the most recent addition to the Côte de Nuits. This is a beautiful wine, my favorite of the group as it possesses more creamy stone fruit, a full mouthfeel, a touch of saline, and a long acid boost.