One of the ABC Wine Team's most memorable visits of this summer was the visit to the Veuve Ambal Estates in Burgundy. This was our very first visit to Veuve Ambal. We were greeted by the owners, father and son, Eric and Aurélien Piffaut. 

The new Veuve Ambal winery in Burgundy is large, ultramodern facility equipped with the latest and greatest, state-of-the-art vinification tools and robotics which allow the winery to maintain a very high level of quality in a large scale production. Quality starts in the vineyard; all fruit at Veuve Ambal is harvested by hand, even for the basic Crémant de Bourgogne Cuvée! 

All Cremant de Bourgogne is made in the traditional Champagne method (secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle) from predominantly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay--the same varieties used in Champagne region. For those reasons Cremant de Bourgogne could be an alternative to Champagne and become an everyday wine.

The following three Cremants de Bourgogne from Veuve Ambal are currently available at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits:

Veuve Ambal Cuvée Marie Ambal – Crémant de Bourgogne, France

Marie Ambal comprises only pinot noir and chardonnay grapes bottle-fermented in the Champagne method. It’s aged three 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 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, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Supervisor

Follow him on Twitter @abcwineatanas