Both of these wines have been perennial go-to Crémant d’Alsace for me. They’re delicious, harmonious sparkling wines that offer wonderful value for the price.

This month the French #Winophiles are celebrating Crémant from France. 

The term Crémant (which literally means creamy) originated in Champagne. It was used to differentiate fully sparkling classic champagne made using the “Methode Champenoise”(where second fermentation takes place in the bottle, creating bubbles) from champagne that was less effervescent made using the same method. Because those champagne were less effervescent, they felt creamier on the palate.

However the term Crémant has evolved to what it means today – a French sparkling wine with using the “Méthode Traditionnelle (the same labor-intensive process whereby wine undergoes a secondary fermentation inside the bottle) made outside of the Champagne region.

Crémant is a regulations are only slightly less stringent than those in Champagne. The quality found in these wines comes in part from France’s rigorous wine laws. Although regional rules can vary, all Crémant wines must adhere to specific requirements. These include manual harvesting of grapes, whole bunch pressing with limited must extraction (100 liters of juice from 150 kg grapes–think of it as extra virgin olive oil), and a minimum of nine months lees aging explains Wine Folly.

It a great alternative to champagne!

As you can see from the map below there 8 regions outside of Champagne that make sparkling wines designated as Crémant.

Crémant d’Alsace

Sparkling wine has been made in the Alsace region since the late 19th century. In the recognition of the efforts made by several Alsatian winemakers, including the Maison Lucien Albrecht, the Crémant d’Alsace Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée was created in 1976.

Today Crémant d’Alsace accounts for about half of all crémant production.

The key varieties used to make Crémant d’Alsace are Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Crémant d’Alsace Rosé must be 100% Pinot Noir.

Disclosure: I received these wines as media samples. I received no compensation for this post, and all opinions presented are my own.

Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace

Lucien Albrecht has been producing beautiful and luxurious expressions of the region’s chalky terroirs for over 300 years. Its sparkling wines are made with 100% sustainably estate-grown fruit from hillside vineyards surrounding the village of Orschwihr.

Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut

100% sustainably estate-grown Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois from hillside vineyards surrounding the village of Orschwihr. Hand harvested and aged on lees for a minimum of 12 months.

Very pale straw color with inviting fresh green and red apple, peach, puff pastry, citrus zest and white flower aromas. On the palate it’s medium-bodied, dry with bright acidity and a creamy mousse. It shows enticing baked green and red apple, peach, and Mandarin orange confit flavor with an appealing kiss of salinity|ABV – 12%|SRP – $23

Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé

100% sustainably estate-grown Pinot Noir from hillside vineyards surrounding the village of Orschwihr. Hand harvested and aged on lees for a minimum of 12 months.

Pale salmon color with enticing red berry, rosehips, orange zest and subtle chalk aromas. On the palate it’s medium-bodied, dry and very fresh with a creamy mousse. It shows ripe strawberry, dried Morello cherry, raspberry, and rosehip flavors accented with a low-key savory herbaceous notes.|ABV – 12%|SRP – $23

Both of these wines have been perennial go-to Crémant d’Alsace for me. They’re delicious, harmonious sparkling wines that offer wonderful value for the price. Great for the holidays for sure, but at these prices, why not drink and celebrate any time of year?

About Lucien Albrecht

Lucien Albrecht (pronounced Lu-Shen All-Bresht) is one of the most distinguished producers of white wines in Alsace, founded in 1698 when Balthazar Albrecht settled in Orschwihr, a small village flanked by rolling hills and ideally situated for grape-growing. Today the winery is known worldwide for the finesse, unique aromatic structure and freshness of its still and sparkling wines. All Lucien Albrecht wines are produced with fruit sourced exclusively from estate vineyards, including the Grand Cru Pfingstberg and Grand Cru Spiegel.

A leader in the production of acclaimed Brut and Rosé Crémants, the winery was instrumental in securing AOC Crémant d’Alsace designation in 1976. The winemaking team, led by Jérôme Keller, embraces a philosophy of respect for the environment with minimal interference from the vineyards to the glass. In 2012 Lucien Albrecht received France’s Agri Confiance sustainability certification explains importer Foley Family Artisan Imports and Spirits.

Winophiles Crémant Discoveries
Crémant for are great sparkling wines for your holiday table and beyond. I invite you to have a look at all the discoveries from my fellow Winophiles writers. We’d love to have you participate in our chat on Twitter on Saturday Dec. 18 from 8a-9am PST. Just look for us at #winophiles hashtag.

• An Aperitif with Flair – Crémant de Bourgogne and Amuse-Bouche by Grape Experiences
• Champagne Sabering Louis Boillot Cremant de Bourgogneby David Glancy Master Sommelier and French Wine Scholar from San Francisco Wine School
• Crémant du Jura: A Trip to the Mountains by Avvinare
• French Crémant with Tasty Nibbles by Always Ravenous
• High-Low Pairing: Domaine Allimant-Laugner Crémant d’Alsace Rosé + Takeout Chinese by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• On the Road with Cremant d’Alsace by Somm’s Table
• Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil paired with a Cremant Cocktail for a fun Holiday Celebration by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Sparkle-up Your Comfort Food with Crémant d’Alsace by Food Wine Click!
• Sparkling Wine Secrets: Celebrate the Season with Biodynamic Bubbles from Bourgogne and Alsace with Festive Finger Foods by Wine Predator…Gwendolyn Alley
• Tasting Cremants with Janice Robinson by Wineivore

Many thanks to Calhoun and Company Communications for the samples!