The various sparkling crémant wines produced around France are becoming more and more popular. Not least the Crémant de Loire, which has seen a huge boost for its exports. 2017 saw an increase in exports to the US by 9%. The wines are made mainly in the Saumur area but can also be made in Touraine and in Anjou. Crémant de Loire comes from 1,200 hectares, which gives a total of 87,000 hectolitres of wine of which 10% is rosé.
The red grapes used are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d’Aunis. The white ones are Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. Pineau d’Aunis is an old local Loire grape with a character reminiscent of Cabernet Franc. Crémant de Loire is often a blend of several grapes, but you can occasionally encounter a 100% Cabernet Franc.
Read more loirevalleywine.com
