For those who love real-deal Champagne but hate paying the price, I've got just the solution. La Cave du Prieuré's classy Crémant is made just like Champagne, but it comes from Burgundy.
A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Aligoté, it's one of the best sub-$30 sparkling wines we sell, and you don't have to save it for special occasions. We just bought all 7 cases that made their way to North Carolina, and we're running a great deal on it.
Les Caves du Prieuré Crémant de Bourgogne
Better than a lot of $40+ Champagnes....
Let's talk about Crémant. Not to be confused with Cramant, a Grand Cru village in Champagne, a Crémant is a French sparkling wine made using the traditional method, but made outside of Champagne. The traditional method refers to sparkling wines made like Champagne, with the second fermentation and aging occurring in the bottle.
While Crémants are made in a variety of regions of France, I think the ones produced in Burgundy tend to be the best. They are typically produced with the classic Champagne grapes, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and they typically taste more like true Champagne.
That is certainly the case here, and many of you know this producer, as Prieuré also makes wonderful white and red Burgundies that we sell like crazy. After consistently selling out of this one week after week, I finally got fed up and just bought my distributor out. When you taste this, you'll understand why.....
A blend of 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Aligote, this undergoes its primary fermentation in stainless steel. As I said earlier, the second fermentation, the one that creates the bubbles, takes place in the bottle. The wine is then aged on the spent yeast cells for 24 months before it is disgorged and corked.
This extended aging on lies is what gives this wine its classic brioche-y and nutty flavors, and those are all integrated into the fruit notes of green apple, pear, lemon, and just a hint of cherry. All in all, this is a very complete and satisfying sparkler at a great price.
It's a great wine to enjoy nicely chilled on one of these steamy summer nights we're having. Pick up some sushi, pop the cork, and have a wonderful night with the one you love!
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
