Crémant de Loire

Crémant de Loire

Produced all along the Loire Valley, Cremant de Loire reflects the diversity and wealth of the territory it goes through

Conducive soil and climate

From Cheverny, not far away from Blois,  to the green Anjou hills, Loire Valley offers a great panel of soils and grape varieties. It’s on this huge territory that the AOC Crémant de Loire spreads out, guided by the soft meanders of the river

On the west part of the appellation area, the ocean and Loire river’s influence gives a mild weather that takes advantage of the mild oceanic temperatures, the sunny hills on the south of the Loire Valley and a low rain level, around 600ml a year.

From the Touraine border to the Centre region, the climate is semi-continental but still keeps away from the freezing colds as well as the great heat. These climate conditions are perfect for the grape growing and the sparkling wines quality. This creates the reputation of the vineyard

 

The history of Crémant de Loire

Kings of France weren’t mistaken when they set up their castles:  the Loire Valley is a place where it’s nice to live. Set up for more than 2000 years in the region, thanks in particular to numerous monasteries and abbeys, the wine growing has been an entire part of the Art of Living for centuries. The northen wealthy drapers used the Loire River to stock up white wines from Ponts de Cé, Saumur and Vouvray. At that time, bubbles were considered as a flaw. Then things changed in the 19th century with the first sparkling wines production after discovering Saumur wines had the potential for a second fermentation. The production for these wines from the Loire evolves bit by bit with the opening of important businesses (Maisons de negoce) . The AOC Cremant de Loire appellation will be created in 1975. From the typicality of this conception product, based on the Chenin for white wine and Cabernet Franc for the Rose is recognized.

 

Crémants de Loire wines

Cremant de Loire is aromatic, attractive and very expressive. With a strong but elegant taste in mouth this is a complex wine bringing  freshness in mouth.

It usually contains some Chenin Blanc, a renowned grape variety for its freshness and acidity. Each Crémant de Loire expresses its own soil because it spreads out all along the Loire Valley. The Chenin expresses all these different soils. The wealth of these grape varieties and some blend grape varieties allow a very nice wine diversity.

 

Exceptional wine and food pairings

Mostly appreciated as an aperitif and during festive moments, the Crémant de Loire provides  premium quality bubbles to amateurs. It is very pleasant with goat cheese Bouchee o rpoached  fish or with deserts served with red or yellow fruit well  . You can also enjoy it with asian food, soup and even seafood. Food pairings depend on which Cremant de Loire you choose.

Figures

Chiffres Clés

Annual production :

3 150 ha which make about 23.4 millions bottles a year

Annual yield :

74 hl/ha

Producers :

600 and 30 wine house producing