What is Crémant? A Quick Guide to the Key Styles
Jan 22, 2025
What is Crémant Wine? Your Beginner's Guide to the Key Styles
In the glamorous world of sparkling wines, one style is finally having its moment - and it’s only taken a few centuries. Crémant, a style of sparkling wine that’s crafted using the same, in depth, traditional method of winemaking used in Champagne but from various ‘other’ French regions, gets its name from the French word ‘crème,’ meaning creamy or frothy. It’s a wine term that was officially recognised in France back in 1975, though wines have been made in this style all over the country since the very beginning of the early 19th century - and even earlier in some places.
Since the rise of Prosecco, which did a fabulous job of democratising sparkling wine, discerning drinkers have turned away from these sweet, simple, Italian bubbles and looked to a drier, more complex style of sparkling wine that tastes more like Champagne but without the premium price tag - the kind that can be popped mid-week as a cheeky treat rather than awaiting a big celebration. Crémant has quietly stepped in to fill the gap and the glasses of those looking for quality, complexity and superb value for money. It also makes you feel rather sophisticated and ‘in the know’ to say ‘Crémant’ out loud - and who doesn't love that?!
Traditional method wines like Crémant and Champagne are extremely time consuming to make as the bubbles for each bottle are formed within the single glass bottles themselves during their secondary fermentation, rather in large tanks like Prosecco. They then need to undergo a minimum amount of ageing before they can be released. This method is what gives fizz its classic, toasty, brioche notes so it’s not just all about primary fruit flavours. Some are aged for a short time and some for a long time and the flavour profile and the price will often reflect this.
Crémant is always so much cheaper than Champers because the nine French regions where it's made don’t carry quite the same caché for sparkling wines and there’s much more of it produced collectively. And while most of them might not quite reach the heady heights of certain Champagne brands (it is the world’s most famous sparkling wine region for a reason), many of them aren’t far off! There’s so much Crémant to explore from across France and it can be made in rosé and demi-sec (slightly sweet) styles too, so there’s something for everyone.
The Crémant Regions
The nine regions to seek out for Crémant wines are Alsace and Burgundy, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Limoux, Jura, Savoie, Luxembourg and a Rhône style called Crémant de Die, which all produce their own unique interpretations, showcasing the distinctive terroir and grape varieties of their respective regions.
Here are six cracking Crémants to try that will give you a great overview of the style:
Burgundy (Bourgogne)
Simonnet Febvre Brut Crémant De Bourgogne, £15, Tesco Link
Crémant from Burgundy, in my opinion, is the style that’s closest to Champagne, partly because it’s often just made with Chardonnay - one of the Champagne grapes, though there's an extra splash of fruitiness. Very easy drinking alone or with food, especially salmon blinis.
Alsace
Arthur Metz Crémant d'Alsace Organic Brut, £15 (2 for £25), Ocado Link
Alsace Crémant can use Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Riesling grapes alongside the Champagne grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and these additions often give the wine a delicious, creamy, softness. They love tartiflette and cheesy canapés.
Loire Valley
Prince Alexandre Crémant de Loire, £14.49, Waitrose Link
For those looking for higher, tart acidity with a touch of honey on the nose, Crémant de Loire, which often has a fair whack of the local Chenin Blanc grape, offers this in spades. A great foodie Crémant that can handle creamy dishes superbly well.
Jura
Marcel Cabelier Crémant du Jura Brut, £11.99 mix 6 price, Majestic Link
Jura Crémant, while often made with Chardonnay like in Champagne, can offer a lovely, quirky point of difference when local Savagnin and Poulsard grapes are added. Often light and frothy, these work well as aperitif wines and can be drunk alone.
Limoux
Morrisons The Best Crémant De Limoux, Morrisons, £10 Link
Limoux is one of the oldest regions for sparkling and it even predates Champagne! Often Chardonnay dominant, these Southern French belles have fabulous, concentrated fruit with melon and citrus flavours that can handle heavier, poultry dishes.
Bordeaux
Louis Vallon Crémant De Bordeaux Blanc De Noirs, Sainsbury’s £14.75 Link
This cracking Bordeaux Crémant looks as classy on the outside as it tastes. Made only with black grapes, which in this case are Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this is a style with a pink tinge and tangy texture with notes of red apple skin, brioche and almonds. Try it with meat!
