Willamette Valley Crémant 2016 by Domaine Divio winery is the first Crémant among the sparkling wines of Willamette Valley of Oregon.
So what is Crémant, and how it’s different from other sparkling wines?
Crémant made precisely the same way Champagne and with the same grape varietals. As you might know, Champagne is a trademark of the Champagne region of France. Sparkling wine from elsewhere in France cannot be called Champagne, even if it’s produced precisely the same way.
For this reason, the French came up with the name Crémant for such wines. So any time you see Crémant from France – it is a sparkling wine produced in méthode champenoise. Typically it’s accompanied by the region name. For example, Crémant d’Alsace or Crémant de Bourgogne.
Many Willamette Valley winemakers make bubbles following the traditional method, but as in France, they cannot call it Champagne. That’s why you see on some bottle phrases like “Méthode champenoise,” “Méthode Traditionnelle,” or “The Traditional Method.”
Bruno Corneaux, the winemaker and owner of Domaine Divio, went for his roots and decided to call his bubbles Crémant. It sounds so French and helps to convey the same quality message as “The Traditional Method.” After all, Bruno is the fourth generation winemaker from Burgundy. So why not?!
Willamette Valley Crémant 2016 Tasting Notes
In the Bottle
In Burgundian tradition, 2016 Willamette Valley Crémant made with 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir grapes are “Coury Clone” planted in the 1970s.
In the Glass
Divio’s Cremant has a pale lemon-green color and tiny bubbles.
Aromas
It starts with creamy notes that followed by lemon, apple, light minerality, and rainwater.
Flavors
On the palate, it has a classic Champagne profile with fine mousse and flavors of lemon, apple, and a bit of chalk.
Overall
2016 Willamette Valley Crémant is an excellent addition to other sparkling wines in the region. While it comes from Oregon, you can sense something French about it. To us, its refreshing acidity is closer in style to French bubbles than American ones.
2016 Crémant is ready to be enjoyed now, and we think it can get even better with another two to three years in the cellar.
