Our next stop on our tour is France, but we’re skipping Champagne to instead focus on a different French Sparkling Wine – Crémant.
Crémant, French for “creamy,” is a sparkling wine made in the traditional method. While Champagne is only from the Champagne region, Crémant can be from one of 8 different appellations throughout France:
Crémant d’Alsace
Crémant de Bourgogne
Crémant de Bordeaux
Crémant de Die
Crémant du Jura
Crémant de Limoux
Crémant de Loire
Crémant de Savoie
While regional rules between the appellations can vary, all Cremant still follows strict regulations under French Law.
This particular wine I have here is Celene Opale Crémant de Bordeaux Blanc de Blancs NV (Non Vintage.)
The Celene Opale is from the Bordeaux region in Southwestern France, which is most famous for its stunning still Red Bordeaux wine however, the region has been producing sparkling wine in the traditional method since the 1800s. It became an official appellation for Crémant in 1990.
All the grapes used in Crémant de Bordeaux must be picked by hand and aged for a minimum of twelve months by law, 9 of which must be on the lees. To put into perspective, NV Champagne is required to spend at least 15 months in the bottle with 12 months on the lees.
The Celene ‘Opale’ is a “Blanc de Blancs” meaning it is only made from white grapes, in this case 60% Sémillon, 30% Muscadell and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. You may recognize these grape varieties as the components of White Bordeaux wine.
This is my first sparkling wine made from the White Bordeaux grapes and it was very different from most of the sparkling wines I’ve tried. To put it into perspective Champagne only allows for the use of 7 specific grapes – the 3 main ones are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Menuier. (Arbane, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Petit Meslier are also permitted.)
I found it to be “greener” (if that’s a good descriptor) and to have notes of green apple, citrus and stone fruit with a hint of toast. The bubbles were tight and very effervescent.
Celene ‘Opale’ is imported in the US by Big Hammer Wines.
