Better than Moët for half the price! Do I have your attention now? Read on…
If you’re in a happy mood and fancy a glass of fizz sat on the patio, this might just be your thing.
Langlois-Château Crémant de Loire Brut NV (€23.99, O’Briens)
Crémant de Loire is one of the many traditional method sparkling wines made in France in addition to Champagne. The Loire Valley is home to the second by volume after Alsace; Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Jura also make good examples. The method for Crémant is the same as for Champagne, but the grape varieties differ depending on the area, and the minimum time ageing on the lees is shorter than Champagne’s 15 months (for non-vintage).
Langlois-Chateau is actually owned by Champagne House Bollinger, who know a few things about quality sparkling wine. The blend for this bottling is :
- Chenin Blanc (a Loire white grape)
- Chardonnay (the ultimate white grape for sparkling wine)
- Cabernet Franc (a versatile black Loire grape used for red, rosé and sparkling wine)
As soon as you pour a glass the fine mousse and persistent fine bubbles show the wine’s class. On the nose there’s rich citrus and red fruit, wrapped in lovely pastry – the sign of significant lees ageing. It’s heavenly to drink, as the aromas flow through to the palate, with acidity and sweetness beautifully poised.
People who know good Crémants often mention how good value they are; while this fact is true, bottles such as this deserve to be assessed purely on quality grounds – it’s a damn fine drop!
This Summer’s BBQ Wines:
#1 – Bellow’s Rock Coastal Region Shiraz 2013
#2 – Château Michel Cazevieille Origine 1922 AC Saint Chinian 2012
#3 – and #4! Domaine de Maubet IGP Côtes de Gascogne 2014 & Venturer Côtes de Gascogne 2014
#5 – Byron Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2012
#6 – Lot #01 Mendoza Malbec Cabernet 2013
#9 – Langlois-Château Crémant de Loire Brut NV
Saw this only yesterday in O’Brien’s and was wondering what it was like – how fortuitous then that this post popped into my inbox this morning! Shall we be seeing this on Thursday?! 😉
I have something different for Thursday, have you chosen yours yet?
Nope, hence my foray into O’Brien’s yesterday! Decided against it as it’s likely someone else might do the same, so will maybe pop down to Deveney’s today to see what they have. If I’m stuck then expect me to turn up tomorrow with this!
I absolutely love Langlois Cremant too!
It evolves wonderfully in the glass, the autolytic characters come out as it warms a little.