Thursday Virtual Happy Hour: Cremant

Crémant is a group of sparkling wines made with the same technique as Champagne, but from outside the Champagne region. Do you have “Champagne taste on a beer budget?” There is a group of sparkling wines that will satisfy your desire for high quality bubbly. Crémant employs labor-intensive secondary bottle fermentation, as does Champagne. There are a wide variety of styles to choose from, as Crémant is made in eight different appellations throughout France (and can also be found in neighboring Luxembourg).

### Crémant d’Alsace

• White: Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
• Rosé: 100% Pinot Noir required for rosé

### Crémant de Bourgogne

• White: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with occasional use of Gamay, Pinot Blanc, Sacy, Pinot Gris, Aligoté, and/or Melon de Bourgogne
• Rosé: Pinot Noir and sometimes Gamay

### Crémant de Limoux

• White and Rosé: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Mauzac (locally called Blanquette), Pinot Noir

### Crémant de Loire

• Primary Grapes: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir
• Others: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Arbois, Pineau d’Aunis, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris

### Other Crémant:

• Crémant de Bordeaux: Primarily Merlot along with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and/or Muscadelle
• Crémant du Jura: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Savagnin, Pinot Gris, Poulsard, Trousseau
• Crémant de Savoie Jacquère, Altesse, Chardonnay, Chasselas, Aligoté
• Crémant de Die Primarily Clairette, possibly with some Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and/or Aligoté

## We have a choice of videos to watch including:

1. https://youtu.be/av0ZvyqyRxM?si=aMD3yslLNMwp3XYl - Crémant, the best French Sparkling Wine Next to Champagne! - Wine Living (6:20)
2. https://youtu.be/0GC7tVmHniw?si=W3Qch4zImHZjk-lG - Cremant vs Champagne - Know Wine In No Time (6:56)
3. https://youtu.be/DdEFflCGd7I?si=U4F5kxS27rYVdYUm - What Is Crémant Sparkling Wine? - Fine Wine Facts (3:00)

So, pick up a bottle and watch a couple of videos. Let us know what you’re drinking and eating, and, if possible, the region from which your wine comes. Do you have any comments (positive or negative) about the videos? And, as always, tell us what’s going on in your life - what's happening with you, how you're feeling about things, updates, successes, challenges - as much or as little as you’re willing to disclose. We are in this together. And - thank goodness - we have wine!

Cheers!!