Other Traditional Method Sparkling Wines of France

Question 1

What is Cremant?

Answer 1

term used to denote some regional French traditional method sparkling wines made outside of the Champagne region

Question 2

How was Cremant used prior to 1985?

Answer 2

to refer to a semi sparkling style within Champagne

Question 3

How many appellations of Cremant are there in France? name the ones that WSET deals with

Answer 3

8
Alsace, Bourgogne, and Loire

Question 4

Name the common features of Cremant wines

Answer 4

whole bunch pressing - hand harvesting
max yield at pressing of 100 litres/150 kg of grapes
min of 9 mths aging on lees during 2nd fermentation in bottle
min of 12 mths maturation between tirage and release (which includes 9 mths on lees)
max 13% abv in finished wine
min 4 atmospheres of pressure

Question 5

what regions are the two largest and most important sources of traditional method wines outside of Champagne?

Answer 5

Alsace and Loire

Question 6

How much sparkling wine is produced in Alsace and Loire compared to Champagne?

Answer 6

only about 10% of the production of Champagne