Sparkling wines are becoming more popular than ever before. After a few years of growth, the sparkling wine market has finally reached saturation. There are now literally hundreds of sparkling wines from small regional producers to global behemoths. If you've never tasted sparkling wine before, imagine the fizziness of a prosecco with a lower price point and more accessible production methods. Barton and Guestier have been producing sparkling wine in France since 1664 when they started making a sparkling wine called the Blanc de Blancs. The word "blanc" means "white," but it also means "fruity." This is because white grapes are often filled with flavors that can be extracted and concentrated into a Here's a list of the top 8 popular brands and their production regions.
1. Champagne
Champagne is France's biggest export, with about 2.4 billion bottles sold each year. The Champagne region is located in the far north of France and produces most of the world's sparkling wine. Most Champagnes are made from pinot noir grapes, although some winemakers also use chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.
2. Clairette de Die
This is a sweet white wine from the Pays D'Oc in southern France. It was initially made for the pilgrims that visited the town of Die. The name is derived from Claire, the daughter of St. Martin, who was said to have been raised by a she-wolf in the forest of Die. The wine is made using a blend of Chardonnay and Roussanne grapes with 50% residual sugar added at bottling.
3. Crémant d'Alsace
France's Alsace region has been producing sparkling wine since the Middle Ages. Today, Crémant d'Alsace represents the highest level of quality in the world. The grapes are sent to a regional cooperative and then sent through a long process of aging, blending, and bottling. As a result, you can expect more complex flavors with this wine than the average sparkling wine.
4. Crémant de Loire
Crémant de Loire is the most widely produced sparkling wine in France. It is made in the central part of the country around the town of Chinon. The wine is made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes blend and is bottled without any additional carbonation.
5. Saint-Péra
This is the most famous sparkling wine from France. It comes from the southern region of Provence and is produced by a small family-run winery. The grapes are grown in the same area and are harvested by hand without any mechanical machines. The wine is aged for about six months before it's bottled. Its sweetness comes from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes with a total sugar content of 14 grams per liter.
6.Crémant de Bourgogne, France
Crémant de Bourgogne is produced in the Burgundy region of France. It is a sparkling wine made from Champagne grapes. The grapes are harvested, pressed, fermented, and then aged for several months before being bottled as Crémant de Bourgogne.
7. Crémant de Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the home of the world-renowned sparkling wine Crémant de Bordeaux. This wine is made using a traditional method of blending a blend of two or three wines. The mixture is then aged in oak barrels for six months before bottling. The bottles are then sealed with cork, allowing the wine to breathe, giving its characteristic fizziness.
8. Crémant de Die
This French sparkling wine is produced in the village of Die and the surrounding area. This region is known for producing quality wines like Beaujolais, so it's no surprise that Crémant de Die has become such a famous sparkling wine. The wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes and undergoes a second fermentation in stainless steel tanks.
So there you have it, France produces many different kinds of sparkling wine. Although the list is not exhaustive, it will give you an idea of the wide variety of styles and flavors that are available.