The first attempts at producing sparkling wines in Burgundy were made in the early nineteen century in Nuits-Saint-Georges and Rully, where the local white wines were particularly suited to this treatment.

These wines were marketed under the appellation  Bourgogne Mousseux and were for the most part of inconsistent quality which led to the establishment in 1975 of strict regulations under the new Crémant de Bourgogne appellation.

Crémant de Bourgogne is made the same way as the sparkling wines of Champagne using the Traditional Method or Méthode Champenoise, where the secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle and the wine is aged for minimum of nine months on the lees before disgorgement.

The predominant grapes used in the production of Crémant de Bourgogne are the Chardonnay and the Pinot Noir.

New at ABC Fine wine & Spirits are three Crémant de Bourgogne from Veuve Ambal.

Veuve Ambal is a family business founded in 1898 in Rully; today, Veuve Ambal is the largest producer of some of the best Crémant de Bourgogne.

Veuve Ambal Cuvée Marie Ambal – Crémant de Bourgogne, France

One of the few producers of quality Crémant de Bourgogne, Veuve Ambal is located in Montagny-lès-Beaune just outside the city of Beaune. Marie Ambal comprises only Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes bottle-fermented in the Champagne method. It’s aged 3 years before release and shows hints of flowers, raspberry and blackcurrant with subtle toast notes. It could age more but it’s ready now for celebrating.

$22.99

Veuve Ambal Prestige Brut 2010 – Crémant de Bourgogne, France

Veuve Ambal’s Prestige Cuvée is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay aged 18 – 24 months. It’s bottle-fermented like Champagne and shows a light golden color from the aging and notes of fresh flowers, toast and almonds with tiny bubbles.

$16.99

Veuve Ambal Brut – Crémant de Bourgogne, France

The Veuve Ambal Brut is made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Aligoté, bottle-fermented. This cuvée has fruity and floral aromas with slight toasted hints and a bright finish. It’s a great everyday bubbly.

$14.99

Atanas Nechkov, Central Florida Wine Supervisor