Champagne is the undisputed king of sparkling wine, and deservedly so. But if there is a Crown Prince, it is most assuredly Crémant de Bourgogne.
The terroir in Burgundy is the most similar to Champagne, with emblematic Kimmeridgian limestone, and the two regions share the same two dominant grapes — Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The market, moreover, endorses this hierarchy: Crémant de Bourgogne remains the highest-priced sparkling wine after champagne.
Parigot & Richard has been producing fine Crémant in Burgundy for five generations, and remains one of the very few domaines that focuses exclusively on these wines. Located in Savigny-lès-Beaune, with vineyards in both the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune, Parigot is today directed by Grégory Georger, the current generation’s torchbearer. He adheres precisely in every respect to the traditional Méthode Champenoise, from hand-harvesting, pressing and fermentation, even hand-riddling.
This said, Crémant de Bourgogne is not champagne. It is though the same class of wine, albeit quite distinct. Crémant expresses the unique terroir of Burgundy, with all the elegance and seductive charm of its gorgeous Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
