Sparkling Wines of Burgundy

                          Cremant can be made from the same grapes as nearby Champagne

Burgundy, France’s smallest wine region, is contiguous with the Champagne wine district.  You pass from one region to the other without any fanfare----on one side of the road is Champagne, the other side is Burgundy.  While every village in Burgundy produces a sparkling wine, only the bubbles in the Champagne region may put the word Champagne on their sparkling wine label.  The Burgundians call their bubbly Cremant.

Although today in Burgundy Cremant is not seen as one of the area’s Premier wines, it was not always so.  In 1827 records indicate that there were >1,000,000 bottles of Burgundy’s Cremant sold.  Furthermore, when Napoleon and Josephine passed through Burgundy in 1860, the red carpet which was rolled out for them included several  Cremant.

Cremant from Burgundy is often made from the same grapes as are used in Champagne, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.   In fact, Burgundy’s Cremant has some of the most stringent wine-making rules, so don’t think that Burgundian winemakers can turn their less successful wines into this less known bubbly.   Like Champagne, Cremant is also produced in blanc de blanc (white grapes), blanc de noir (from red grapes) and also Rose.

While I have mentioned Champagne in this article many times, let me be very clear.  I am in no way suggesting that Cremant is Champagne.  Burgundy’s terroir is different.  What I do want to say, however, is that there are some very well made Cremants that offer great value in comparison to Champagne.  It’s also worth noting that the popular Kir aperitif is Burgundian in origin.  Mixed with the area’s black currant liqueur (Crème de Cassis),  Kir Royales can be made by using Cremant versus a still wine.

Officially known as Cremant de Bourgogne, Burgundy's sparkling wines can offer an interesting change for bubble lovers.  Here are some examples to try (all are about $20).  Any would be perfect for a Mother's Day celebration.

     

    ~ Louis Bouillot, Perle d’Auore

    ~ Vitteaut-Alberti, Cuvee Agnes

    ~ Parigot

Rothschild Bubbly

                                                        Rose, Blanc de Blanc & Brut

Champagne made by the Rothschild family?  To those who know French wine this is an oxymoron.   After all, the Rothschild family is from Bordeaux and they only produce the area's Premier Cru red still wine.  By French law, even if the company produced sparkling wine in Bordeaux it could not be called Champagne as only bubbly made in the demarcated area of Champagne in northeast district of France can be called Champagne.  But, the Rothschilds do produce Champagne….read on.

Champagne Barons de Rothschild is made up of three different branches of the family which individually own three different crème de la crème chateaux in Bordeaux: Mouton-Rothschild, Lafite-Rothschild and Clarke.   In 2003 these three branches of the family (often seen as rivals) came together and formed a boutique company with the sole purpose of producing Champagne.  All of the grapes that make their bubbly are from the Champagne region’s top vineyards.

The Barons de Rothschild Champagne was first released in 2015.  I had the good fortune to have one of these early bottles thanks to dear friends who graciously gifted me a bottle for my birthday.  I have never forgotten it and, in fact, blogged about it as one of the best wines I had in 2015.   Last week we had a party to christen a small property on the beach we just purchased.  These same friends showed up with another bottle of Rothschild Champagne.    

There are only 500,000 bottles made each year so it’s not widely available in the US.  However, it is worth seeking out.  You can find it easily online, and upscale area Costco’s occasionally have it.   I’ve had some serious Champagne in my day, but believe me when I say, this is gorgeous stuff.  The wine comes in five different possibilities.  There’s a Brut (made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), a Rosé (only Pinot Noir), a Blanc de Blanc (only  Chardonnay), and a 2005 Vintage wine (made only of grapes from this vintage).  I was gifted the Brut.

If you’re looking for a great bottle for a special occasion, look no further.  This wine is the bomb.  

The Perfect Valentine's Champagne

Look no further if you want a special bubbly for a special valentine.  The Barons Rothschild produce one of the best Champagnes I’ve had in a long time.  While the Rothschild family is famous for both of its Bordeaux red wine estates (Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Mouton Rothschild), their Champagne is produced nearly 500 miles north.  (To be called a Champagne, the wine by law must be produced in the Champagne district of France, just east of Paris.)

The two Rothschild estates in Bordeaux have been rivals since they were first established in the late 1800’s by two Rothschild cousins.  Always trying to outdo the other, the separate branches of the family wine business have always been competitive.  For this Champagne, however, the factions joined forces in 2005 to create something really special on several levels.  They call their bubbly “Barons Rothschild Champagne.”

The Barons produce three different Champagnes.  Their Blanc de Blanc (“white from white”) is made entirely of Chardonnay and is aged for three years.  The Brut, also aged three years, is Chardonnay dominant, however, there’s a good amount of Pinot Noir in the blend, as well as the rather obscure grape, Pinot Meunier (often used to round out Champagnes.)  The Barons also make a wonderful Rosé which is 85% Chardonnay with the remainder of Pinot Noir which gives it a gorgeous color and additional complexity.

Costco had the Rothschild Brut over the holidays, and it’s worth seeking out for any remaining bottles as their cost was extremely fair at $60.  Otherwise, check with your favorite retailer or online (where the web prices vary from $80-120.)   This bubbly is sure to please even the most discriminating Valentine.