French Sparkling Wine

Champagne is the famous sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France and crafted in the Traditional Method. Crémant is a style of sparkling wine also made in the Traditional Method in specific regions around France. Vin Mousseux and Pétillant are broader categories of sparkling wine without a specific appellation, such as Champagne or Crémant.

Champagne is the best-known region for sparkling wine in the world. Alsace, the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Jura, Bordeaux and Limoux are some of the top region for Crémant (sparkling wines outside Champagne made in the same Traditional Method).

French sparkling wine pairs especially well with fried appetizers, oysters, sushi, roast chicken, soft cheeses and fruit desserts.

If you're looking for a wine with greater complexity and autolytic characters (such as toast, brioche or biscuit), look for Champagne or Crémant on the label, as these will be made in the Traditional Method. Also pay attention to sweetness terms like "Brut" (which means dry, not sweet) or "Demi-Sec" and "Sec" (slightly sweet and sweet). Many French sparkling wines may also include the term "Blanc de Blanc" (white from whites) or "Blanc de Noir" (white from dark). The former means it was made with white grapes (most often Chardonnay), while the latter means it was made with a dark-skinned grape (most often Pinot Noir).