The alternatives to Champagne

What if tonight, instead of having a beer or a glass of wine, we had bubbles? For most people, sparkling wines At Les Grappes, we want bubbles every day and not only Champagne! Let's go for a little overview of sparkling wines in France.

The different ways of making sparkling wines

There are so many different denominations that one gets a little lost. Let's start by explaining the technical terms. When we talk about sparkling wines, we generally distinguish 2 main techniques:

• The traditional method or Champenoise (for the wines of the region bearing the same name): this method consists in the elaboration of a still wine to which a second fermentation is made. This method is used for Crémant, Champagne and sparkling wines from Savoie. This method is considered to be the one that produces the most qualitative wines.
• The rural or ancestral method: This method consists in bottling wines whose alcoholic fermentation is not finished to lock up the CO2. We find here wines like the Clairette de Die, the Blanquette de Limoux, the sparkling wines of Touraine...

In addition to the manufacturing methods, the richness of French soils and the different grape varieties used bring even more diversity to sparkling wines.

Pet Nat' or Crémant, what's the difference?

How to choose between all these wines? Some will tell you that by taking Champagne you are sure not to make a mistake. Certainly, the reputation of Champagne is not to be made any more but it is necessary to be conscious that there are bad Champagne (except on Les Grappes ???? ) and that in certain cases, a good crémant will be better than a bad Champagne.

The key is to remain open and let yourself be carried away by the magic of bubbles. The fame of champagne increases its price. A priori, a more expensive sparkling wine than a champagne will have needed more work and could bring you more pleasure.

Why do we like crémants?

Wrongly, some people consider it as the bottom of the range of Champagne, while there are obviously superb crémants!
Crémant and Champagne are both produced according to the same method of wine making, namely the traditional method (with a shorter maturing time for the Crémant between 9 and 12 months while it is at least 12 for the Champagne) and their dress is similar to a few details. At first sight it is not always easy to differentiate the two.

However, whereas Champagne is produced in a single region, Crémant is produced in 7 different wine regions and has a more flexible specification for the grape varieties that can be used. There is a very rich aromatic palette among the Crémants and everyone can find his happiness!

At Les Grappes, we recommend :

• Brut de Chenin of the domain Pithon-Paillé (Loire)
• Crémant de Bourgogne from the Domaine de Cluny (Burgundy)
• Crémant blanc de blanc from the François Schwach estate (Alsace)

Why do we like Pét Nat ?

When we talk about sparkling wine, how can we not evoke the natural sparkling wines. A real success in bars and restaurants, this new type of sparkling wine considered less stuffy and more accessible in terms of price is the new darling of bubble lovers.

Produced according to the ancestral method, this wine is a pure expression of its terroir. The winemaker lets nature take over. Here not two but one alcoholic fermentation, the one that starts naturally after the grapes have been picked and pressed. Thus we find in this type of wine only juice, yeast and residual sugar. These wines are generally very fruity with a light foam and a little sweetness.

In the Loire region, there are many winegrowers who make "Pet'nat" because the Chenin grape variety lends itself well to ancestral vinification.

At Les Grappes, we recommend :

• Pif Paf de Face B (Roussillon)
• Free mousse of the manor of the red head (Loire)
• Spontané des Hauts Baigneux (Rhône Valley)

Champagne: not only for special occasions

"I can't live without Champagne. In case of victory I deserve it; in case of defeat, I need it". This famous quote from Napoleon Bonaparte highlights the importance of this drink in our society. Synonymous with luxury and great occasion, Champagne would be reserved for some very particular occasions.

However this tends to be relativized, many seek to decomplex all the symbolism that there may be around this drink. A recent campaign carried out in June 2019 by the SGV (general union of winegrowers of Champagne) tries to give a simple image of Champagne by showing that it can interfere in our most banal daily life and thus make it exceptional. The food and Champagne pairings proposed by this campaign are unexpected. The chosen products are simple (sardine, boiled egg, chouquette, artichoke...) but of quality!

To conclude, let's live on bubbles and fresh water, especially since, like water, bubbles go with almost everything. So no need to think about a menu: bubbles are the starter, main course and dessert!

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