Crémant de Loire is the regional appellation for Sparkling wines from Anjou, Saumur and Touraine - the heart of France's Loire Valley wine region. Chenin Blanc is the main ingredient. A wide range of other traditional Loire grape varieties can be used. These include the obvious choices of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but also Cabernet Franc, Pineau d'Aunis, Grolleau Noir and even Cabernet Sauvignon.
The star grape of the upper Loire, Sauvignon Blanc, is a notable (and intentional) omission here. Despite its high Acidity, Loire Sauvignon is not considered well-suited to sparkling wine production. It is interesting to note, however, that this grape variety is not excluded from Bordeaux sparkling wines. A good Crémant de Loire has a tight, persistent effervescence that denotes a traditional method rather than Tank production, and a Complex, nutty, slightly honeyed Nose.
Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest red grape varieties in Bordeaux. The Libourne region is its terroir where it develops best. The terroirs of Saint-Emilion and Fronsac allow it to mature and develop its best range of aromas. It is also the majority in many blends. The very famous Château Cheval Blanc, for example, uses 60% Cabernet Franc. The wines produced with Cabernet Franc are medium in colour with fine tannins and subtle aromas of small red fruits and spices. When blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it brings complexity and a bouquet of aromas to the wine. It produces fruity wines that can be drunk quite quickly, but whose great vintages can be kept for a long time. It is an earlier grape variety than Cabernet Sauvignon, which means that it is planted as far north as the Loire Valley. In Anjou, it is also used to make sweet rosé wines. Cabernet Franc is now used in some twenty countries in Europe and throughout the world.
sparkling wines from the region of Crémant de Loire go well with generally quite well with dishes of shellfish, poultry or appetizers and snacks such as recipes of blanquette of monkfish and scallops, chicken with green olives or lebanese hummus.
On the nose in the region of Crémant de Loire often reveals types of flavors of non oak, red fruit or quince and sometimes also flavors of honey, peach or vegetal. In the mouth in the region of Crémant de Loire is a powerful with a nice vivacity and a fine and pleasant bubble.
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Designed by British printmaker and illustrator Tom Frost, whose work is characterised by folk art, matchboxes, children’s books, tin toys, and natural motives, the screen-printed artwork depicts a blossoming tree within a wine glass, referencing Berry Bros & Rudd’s commitment to sustainability. Officially launching at the end of this month [April], the Platinum Jubilee will be a limited edition run of 10,000 bottles. Berry Bros & Rudd will donate a percentage of its profits to char ...
