What is Crémant and What Should I Try?

Sparkling wine tends to come to many of our minds during springtime, encouraged by the warmer weather and the celebratory period as wedding season beckons. Sparkling French wine is perfect for these occasions, but did you know there’s so much more out there than just Champagne? We're talking about Crémant which has enjoyed increased popularity lately, so you might be keen to know what it is and why Crémant sparks such interest. Let's delve further into the world of Crémant to find out more!

What is crémant?

First of all. Crémant is a sparkling wine variety, which is quality wine that can be either white or Rosé, produced within 8 specific regions in France (also referenced as appellations) – we will come back to those specific regions later. As the French treat Crémant as seriously as they do Champagne, the production of Crémant is protected, which is known as being AOC classified (controlled origin appellation) and the appellations are authorised by the INAO (France’s regulatory body for appellations). This means that not any old sparkling wine produced in France can just call itself a Crémant! Crémant is made by the traditional method production (similar to Champagne) and this specific production type binds all 8 appellations. There is even a National Federation of Crémant Growers and Producers that was founded in 1982!

Where does crémant come from?

Coming back to those 8 regions mentioned above, Crémant is produced in Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Die, Jura, Limoux, Loire and Savoie – these regions cover most of the corners of France, so this sounds like the perfect excuse for a spot of wine tourism with a French road trip following this wine route! Some of these regions, such as Bordeaux, may already be known to you for their still white and red wines and now you can also combine the usual wine tasting visit with tasting some bubbles too! The Crémant name is protected by the National Federation of Crémant Growers and Producers which encourages the knowledge and promotion of their beloved wine on a national and international scale.

What is the difference between champagne and crémant?

This is a good question as these are both sparkling wine varieties produced in France but the key difference is that Champagne can only be produced in the Champagne region, whereas there are other regions to choose from that produce Crémant. Plus, of course there is the price difference with Crémant being a cost effective solution without reducing the taste quality as it’s produced in the same way to Champagne. Crémant can use different grape varieties (Champagne only uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and can also have a higher PH level than Champagne.

Does crémant differ depending on the region (appellation) that it is made from?

Again, this is a very good question as a 2009 community regulation contains the requisites that all Crémant wines must adhere to and yet there are also regional differences. What is common to all Crémant wines is that there is secondary fermentation in the bottle (this is where the delightful bubbles are created due to carbon dioxide). The rules for Crémant also mean that the wines are aged in the bottle for at least 9 additional months, which is where that yeasty smell and taste may be apparent, as there is that contact with the lees (dead yeast cells) when the wine is stirred. Crémant must also be sold only 12 months after the bottling process. Furthermore, the other rules for Crémant are quite stringent; they must be manually harvested, the wine needs to come from specifically squeezed grapes, and there are restrictions on the amount of sulphur chemicals and the level of sugar content too! Let’s explore France some more to truly get to know Crémant!

Alsace

Within the Alsace region, vineyards are planted close to the local villages and it is therefore not surprising that the region is the largest producer of Crémant with around 32.9 million bottles sold per year! According to the Alsace regional tourism board, those sales fall second to that of Champagne in the sparkling wine production, which is a very impressive statistic! Crémant d’Alsace accounts for approximately 24% of Alsace’s wine production and there are regional stipulations governing Alsace’s Crémants, so let’s talk about those!

In 1976, Crémant d’Alsace received its AOC classification but the wine producers from Alsace employed the traditional method for their sparkling wines since the late 19th century! Some of the Alsace Crémants will involve a blend of grape varieties but others may be a single grape variety. But, Pinot Noir tends to be the main grape variety which provides that delicate taste. However, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay may also be present and Pinot Noir is the only variety used for the rosé version. As another tip, you can access the online directory for the Alsace wine route when in France!

Bordeaux

Bordeaux may be renowned for its delicious red wines but it is also a producer of quality Crémant sparkling wines! However, it was only in 1990 that the Crémant de Bordeaux received its AOC ranking. Similar to the Alsace region, Bordeaux also uses the traditional method for its crémant production and what you can expect from these Crémants, as indicated by the Bordeaux regional tourism board, are fine bubbles and aromatic wines. Crémant only accounts for 1% of the wine production in Bordeaux, making it one of the smaller Crémant producers but these typically use the same Bordeaux grapes as their still wines. Therefore, the main grape varieties you will see in a Crémant de Bordeaux are Sémillion and Sauvignon. For the Rosé Crémants, these might have a blend of Cabernet and Merlot.

Bourgogne

It was in the early 19th century that Champagne knowledge, via the village Rully, was imported to Bourgogne (Burgundy in English). But, the AOC classification for Crémant de Bourgogne was only received in 1975! Again, this Crémant uses the traditional method (méthode champenoise) and with Crémant de Bourgogne you can also find a Blanc de Blanc and Blanc des Noirs as well as the usual white and red varieties. You can expect to find the grapes of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir within these Crémants. There are approximately 19.2 million bottles sold each year which amounts to 10% of the wine produced in the Bourgogne region! Plus, there is the further segregation within Crémants from Bourgogne with the ‘eminent’ Crémants, aged for at least 24 months and the ‘grand eminent’ Crémants aged for 36 months or more!

Die (the Rhône)

From the Drôme Valley vineyards comes the Crémant de Die with its special location between the Alps and Provence. The vineyards therefore occupy some of France’s highest altitudes at nearly 700 metres! Die is approximately two hours away from Lyon in the south east of France and is one of the smallest Crémant producers. The appellation was received in 1993 and approximately 700,000 bottles of Crémant de Die are sold each year. The grape varieties typically used are Clairette, Aligoté and Muscat which create that green fruits aroma. Crémant de Die could also be combined with chestnut liqueur for a Kir which sounds like a very tempting cocktail to us!

Jura

Whilst this sparkling wine production dates back to the late 18th century, the AOC classification was only received in 1995! This appellation region is also connected with the Côtes du Jura, Arbois, Château-Chalon and L’Étoile. Crémant du Jura differs from some of the other appellations as there are five authorised grape varieties! These are Poulsard, Pinot Noir, Trousseau, Chardonnay and Savagnin. For white Crémants du Jura, there must be at least 70% of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Trousseau. At least 50% of Pinot Noir, Poulsard and Trousseau must be utilised for the Rosé and the grapes are hand harvested too! There are approximately 1.7 million bottles sold per year which accounts for around 16% of the total Jura AOC production. A fun fact is that there is also a specific Crémant du Jura flute glass specially designed to get the best out of your Crémant du Jura!

Limoux

Situated in the south of France and in the middle of the Languedoc, Crémant de Limoux was first mentioned in a document dating back to 1544 starting with the ancestral method of production. However, the AOC label was only granted to Crémant de Limoux in 1990, but it’s just one of five AOC classifications in the region. The AOC Crémant de Limoux typically consists of two main grape varieties being Chardonnay and Chenin with at least 90% of these varieties having to be used. Additionally, the other varieties Mauzac and Pinot Noir would use 40% maximum of the variety, of which 20% must be Mauzac. Like we said, it can be strict and precise! The grapes will be hand picked and the Crémants produced by the traditional method. The Crémants de Limoux are typically Brut with a floral aroma and the region sells approximately 5.8 million bottles per year. What is also exciting, as mentioned by the Limoux regional tourism board, is that the 33rd edition of the National Crémant Competition will take place in Limoux in April 2024 - keep an eye out for the winners!

Loire

The production area of Crémant de Loire covers the villages of Drain to Cheverny and therefore includes AOC classified regions such as Anjou and Saumur. Crémant de Loire received its appellation in 1975 and its northern location means that there is a diversity of climates impacting the grapes production. The main grape varieties used are Chenin and Cabernet Franc, but there may be blends using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Grolleau Noir, Grolleau Gris and Orbois to add more flavour! The Crémants de Loire will therefore typically be quite fresh and subtle on the nose and approximately 17 million bottles are sold each year.

Savoie

In the steep valleys of the Alps, the Crémant de Savoie is the newest region to receive its appellation, which was only granted in 2015! The AOC Crémants de Savoie use a multitude of grape varieties but there are restrictions, as usual, for production! The main grape varieties used are the Savoyard Jacquère and Altesse grapes of which 60% must be used - the other 40% being from the Jacquère grapes. Other grape varieties include Chasselas, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Gamay for the other 40% but there must be a maximum 20% of grape varieties used. You should therefore expect fresh and citrus aromas from the Crémants de Savoie given the cool climate and there are approximately 350,000 bottles sold each year. It would therefore be ideal to combine your skiing with wine tasting in the Savoie region!

Which crémants should I try?

Now that you are armed with all of this Crémant knowledge about the appellations, here are some bottles of Crémant that we think you will love!

Gratien & Meyer Crémant de Loire Rosé

This is a smooth drinkable Rosé with a pale pink salmon colour. It is bursting full of strawberries with a light aroma, a dry flavour and medium finish. It offers a subtle elegance that makes it ideal to drink by itself as an after work treat! This one is a definite crowd pleaser!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £12.50

Louis Vallon Crémant De Bordeaux Blanc De Noirs

A medium bodied Crémant with a light texture, this is an easy drinking elegant bottle. There are citrus, peaches and apple aromas on the nose with a slight detection of yeast and almonds. This Crémant pairs well with almonds as an aperitif.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £14.75

Cave De Turckheim NV - ALSACE AOC

This is a balanced Crémant from Alsace with a pale lemon colour and fine bubbles and tastes just like a Champagne! There are peach and floral aromas on the nose with a medium intensity and strong finish which pairs quite well with popcorn for a film night!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £12.75

N.V. Crémant de Bourgogne, Dufouleur Pere et Fils

This is Brut Crémant with a slightly golden colour and is from the Nuit St George’s area. There is a fruity aroma with green apple and peach with a creamy biscuits taste on the palate and medium intensity as a good all rounder.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £17.75

Waitrose Cuvée Royale Brut Crémant de Limoux

This is a fresh tasting Crémant with big bubbles from the Limoux region. It has a medium complexity with an aroma of floral pears to provide a light but dry wine with a biscuity taste. This would pair very well with salmon blinis for those celebrations!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Price: £13.99

Aldi Specially Selected Crémant du Jura

This Crémant is very popular and keeps flying off the shelves - we can see why! It is a flavourful, aromatic Crémant packed with a fruit forward profile which is also fresh with green apple and a creamy secondary aroma with medium intensity and finish. This would be the ideal Crémant to have with brunch with friends!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £8.99

Château de l'aulée Crémant NV - Crémant de Loire

This is a dry Crémant that surprisingly tastes just like a Champagne and is very quaffable! It uses Chenin Blanc as its single grape and has a golden colour with rich primary and secondary aromas of apple, brioche and biscuits. This will appeal to many palates and would work well with sea food.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Price: £18.99

Benjamin Darnault Vignerons Wife Crémant de Bourgogne Brut

A very smooth, easy drinking Crémant which is a Chardonnay blend. This is ideal for those who enjoy a lighter, subtle sparkling wine with aromas of green apple, floral and a crisp taste. This will be ideal for sitting in the garden with a picnic.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £19.99

Sainsburys Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace

This is a dry tasting Alsace Crémant with hints of green apple, citrus flavours and secondary flavours of brioche. It has a medium intensity with high acidity and a creamy texture to provide that balanced profile and can be drunk by itself for that spa day!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £11.50

We would love to hear which Crémants you have tried as they make such a good alternative to Champagne and there is often not that much difference in the taste, depending on the region! Crémant will be great for those spring and summer special occasions or a perfect excuse to treat yourself - what are you waiting for? Santé!

By Latoya Austin

3 Ways to Get Better at Smelling Wine

[Partnership post with TasterPlace]

They say that the more you know about something, the more interesting you find it and nowhere is this more true than in the wonderful world of wine. The good news is, you can train your nose over a relatively short amount of time to pick out more complex smells in wine. The great news is, however, that any kind of smelling practice can have hugely positive effects on your wellbeing and can even help to stave off degenerative diseases like Alzheimers! Never has there been more reason to pay even more attention to what’s in your wine glass, so in this article, you will find three ways to help you do that better. 

What are the benefits of smelling practice?

Last year during lockdown, we put together this piece on the benefits of certain scents on our wellbeing, such as lavender for sleep or sandalwood for focus and calm. There are also links to articles on the psychology of smell with emotion and memory as well how we can stave off Dementia with smelling practice. One study, published in the Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, also states that wine experts and those who work with olfaction-based industries such as perfume-making are less likely to develop Alzheimer's and Dementia compared to those in other professions. This is because those who train their noses in this way have ‘enhanced’, stronger or thicker parts of the brain that are tied to smell and memory. This is super important as it is these areas that are also linked to neurodegenerative diseases. 

Practice picking out aromas in wine

When first getting started with wine, it all just smells like… well.. wine, doesn’t it? We go to tastings and hear the expert bang on about crunchy red fruits or stewed purple plums and think, really? Is it possible to get that specific? Suddenly though, as soon as a specific smell is mentioned then wham! You find it right there. Has this happened to you? As one of those ‘experts’, I'm here to tell you that it is not all suggestive rubbish; the more you dive in and pay attention, the more you really do ‘see’ or in this case, smell. Here are three ways you can get better at playing the wine aroma detective:

1. Pay attention. That’s right! Just like driving a car after doing it for years, often when we drink wine, we literally just drink it without thinking about what it tastes like. Instead, ask yourself some questions: Does the aroma jump out of the glass or is it more reserved? Does it smell very fruity and if so, what kind of fruit? Can you pinpoint it? Is it blackcurranty like Ribena or more tart like cherries? Or maybe it’s jammy like ripe strawberries? The same goes for anything that isn’t fruit. Is it herbaceous? Are there hints of spices? If so, always ask yourself what kind!

2. Compare and contrast. Wine on its own tastes just like wine. With two or more, however, you will be able to play spot the difference. Take two different grape varieties for example, like Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Compare their looks; which one is more cherry red and which is more purple black? Next, compare the aromas. Is one more like raspberry or cherry and the other like cassis? Comparison is good because it’s the differences between them that help you learn. If ever you need an excuse for that second glass of wine, this is it!

3. Invest in a smelling kit. One very simple and effective way to regularly boost your sniffing skills is to invest in a blind smelling kit. This way, you can test yourself a little every day and start getting very specific about the exact notes that you are picking out in your favourite glass of wine - and all without feeling obliged to pop several corks a day! Kits such as the AROMAS made by TasterPlace come with small vials of aromatic oils, each with a specific scent often found in wine. The white wine kit, for example, has twelve vials of aromas, each numbered underneath so you can test yourself again and again until you can get them all right. Learn how to spot the difference between lemon and grapefruit, pear and green apple, honey and butter - and more! 

TasterPlace AROMAS collections 

Italian-owned TasterPlace currently has five kits on offer: one for red wine, one for white wine, one for beer, one for olive oil and one for chocolate. There are twelve vials in each kit as well as a full tasting guide that talks you through colour and flavour as well as aromatics. The aroma samples are produced with stable aromatic solutions which means they can be used over time without losing their intensity. They come in elegant black boxes the size of a hardback book and we think they make amazing gifts for the wine lover in your life! 

The AROMAS collections are on sale on TasterPlace’s website www.tasterplace.com, where you can also find a variety of information on the world of tasting and the TasterPlace blog.

Lockdown List: Companies running virtual wine & spirits tastings

With Lockdown not ending again for a while, we may as well try to see friends online over a glass or six. If you’ve been thinking about doing any form of online tasting, check out my tips for running your own wine tasting here. If you’d like a pro to lead you through the process and sort all your drinks for you, then here are some companies to support. Email me at helena@thethreedrinkers.com if you want to be listed!

If you’re a company looking for a private online tasting, please click here to get in touch. We are constantly updating this list.

Here are some other companies that offer mix of tastings you can join in with and private tastings you can do at home, online with your mates.

** 8th April - tasting tour of Stauning Distillery. **

Guests will be led on a tour of the beautiful state of the art, premium whisky distillery on Denmark's west coast as they uncover the unique and curious ways Stauning makes its wonderful whiskies - think floor malting, 24 small (and gorgeous) copper pot stills - resulting in truly special spirits. Stauning's very own storyteller Pernille Nielson, will guide guests through the tasting, as they explore the distillery and discover the world of this innovative Danish spirit. It's a super exciting and rare opportunity to see this Danish distillery, particularly with the travel bans at the moment, as well as enjoying some delicious drams. Each tasting kit includes three 50ml samples - one of each of Stauning's whiskies, Rye, Kaos and Peat - and a special Stauning tasting glass. Tickets are £35 and are available to purchase on Design My Night. The tour will start at 6:30pm.

Online Wine Tasting Club

Brand new venture, Online Wine Tasting Club send you five incredible wine samples every month through your letterbox, in their unique mini bag-in-box packaging. You can join a live wine tasting show / masterclass where they introduce you to the stories behind the wines, explain winemaking to you and take you on virtual tours of the vineyards and wine regions. Great fun and jargon-free, it is enjoyed by more than 1000 people every month. Prices start from £20 a month or £32 for a couple. Winner of a 2021 Drinks Retailing Award. Support a new, lockdown-born business!

onlinewinetasting.club

Feel Good Grapes

Run by the brilliant Mike Turner, Feel Good Grapes runs relaxed, private tastings for you, your friends and colleagues. Ideal for groups of 8-25, they can theme the tasting for you and send out all the wines based on your budget.

feelgoodgrapes.com

Huxley's Bar

Huxley's Bar UK, provide fun wine tasting and whisky tasting events in a virtual format. Our beautifully presented boxes delivered to your door are great as a group tasting or as a gift. You will receive our professionally made videos for each of your drinks or you can make your experience V.I.P and one of our experts will attend your Zoom Call. Huxley's Bar UK also provide pre-made cocktails delivered to your door.

Huxleysbar.co.uk

FORTIFY

FORTIFY is a wine & spirits appreciation and education company founded by Ali Finch, Drinks Director for the Angela Hartnett restaurant group. Hosting bespoke group tastings as well as one-off special events, these virtual masterclasses combine Sommelier insight and hospitality. Open discussion and questions are actively encouraged, from myth-busting & revealing insider knowledge, to offering pairing suggestions and getting downright nerdy when required.

fortifyws.com

Plonk Wine Co.

Join us for an exclusive, unforgettable, bespoke, virtual wine tasting event — tailored to impress, surprise and delight your clients, colleagues and customers. What sets us apart from the competition? Well, it’s simple. No one else offers the kind of wines that we do. 

plonkwine.co

The English Vine

You, your family, friends or colleagues, some amazing English wines and us. These aren't your usual stuffy wine tastings. We'll bring our best chat and let you really discover what our wines are about in a way that everyone can understand, even your Auntie Dora. We’ll even ask you to bring a beer (you’ll find out why on the day).

theenglishvine.co.uk

VineDrops

VineDrops is a virtual wine tasting platform that partners with independent vineyards to offer virtual events directly with the vineyards. Explore the history and heritage of these vineyards as you enjoy their wines in these interactive sessions.

www.vinedrops.co.uk

TastingOnline.co.uk

Bespoke tasting experiences with a crack team! Hold a tasting of anything, anything from wine, cider, beers, cocktails, Sake to no/low or a mix of all of them.

tastingonline.co.uk

Get Tasting

Get Tasting started almost 18 months ago (pre-lockdown) listing wine tasting experiences both virtual and in-person. We also list online and on-demand courses and have over a thousand wine tasting resources.

gettasting.com/virtual-wine-tasting-events

The Vine Untangled

Join experienced wine & spirit educator Tim Haslam for customised online tastings for you and your friends, relatives and work colleagues. Fun and informal, Tim will take you behind the scenes of the wine trade to understand some of the factors professional wine buyers take into account to bring the world's finest wines & spirits to your door!

thevineuntangled.com

Manchester Wine School

Owned by the wine writer and presenter Simon Woods, the Manchester wine school offers a range of online sessions, some in partnership with independent wine merchants, some “byo” style on a theme, specialist courses and masterclasses as well as WSET qualifications. We also offer private sessions for corporate clients and virtual private parties at home.

Manchester Wine School

Jackson and Seddon

Jackson and Seddon wine tastings are run by Rob the business owner and focus on the stories behind the wines and his experiences in finding each one personally and the people that put their heart and soul into producing them.

www.jacksonandseddon.com

Brixton Wine Club

This is not your Mum and Dad’s wine club. Brixton Wine Club sells premium wines, but in cans. Choose from a one off box or a monthly subscription and wine delivered straight to your door with tasting notes.

www.brixtonwineclub.com

VINGIN

Wine and gin cocktail tastings for private parties, corporate business and charitable tastings. We also run a weekly wine and gin club, which is currently a BYO format related to a theme, but soon moving to a postal service whereby we supply the wines and gin samples.

www.vingin.co.uk

Bolney Wine Estates

Bolney are offering a range of virtual tasting experiences including Classic & Luxury virtual tastings and private virtual wine tastings.  Afterwards, you can compete to become wine champion as your guide puts your newfound knowledge to the test with a fun quiz to finish! Bookable tastings as well as virtual tasting vouchers are available.

BolneyWineEstate.com

Rose Murray Brown MW

Regular online wine tastings (sometimes with winemaker as guest host) on some classics, such as Tuscan Reds, Christmas wines, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Small French Growers etc.

Rosemurraybrown.com

ThirtyFifty

This events team is hosting a series of virtual wine tastings via Zoom which are educational yet fun and a great way to socialise while increasing your wine knowledge during the current lockdown period. Vouchers available too!

www.thirtyfifty.co.uk

BiB Wine Company

BIB Wine Co are offering tasting boxes with 6 x 100ml samples as well as online tastings in December. One coming up on the 3rd Dec!

www.bibwine.co.uk

Brianne Cohen

Brianne runs a monthly public #virtualvino class as well as individual tastings. Her signature is a small-format tasting set sent to each attendees home for the class.

Briannecohen.com

Newcastle Wine School

Newcastle Wine School regular online tastings with local wine merchants and winemakers. 

Newcastlewineschool.com

Winebound

Entertaining wine tasting classes with wines delivered. led by Fabio Adler and his company.

winebound.designmynight.com

Caviste

Wine, spirits and festive tastings from this merchant based in Hampshire.

caviste.co.uk

Tipple-Talk

Tipple Talk is a virtual wine club covering a new region each month. 6 mini bottles delivered in advance of a webinar zoom. No subscription needed. Run by Katrina; an award-winning wine professional with over 8 years experience in the industry.

tipple-talk.com

Vineyards Wine Shop

Dorset wine shop running Instagram Live tastings and private tastings. Coming up: a Sherry tasting in a with Gonzalez Byass, plus ‘drinks cabinet staples’ in Dec and more!

Vineyardsofsherborne.co.uk

Virtual Tastings

Offering private tastings showcasing our collection of unique, lesser-known wines (as well as ciders and gin!)

virtualtastings.co.uk

Enjoy Discovering Wine

Tastings for fun and WSET courses online! Open to all in the UK & Europe. WSET Diploma worldwide.

enjoydiscoveringwine.com

Unicorn & The Vine / Wine At Home

Luisa is a certified WSET Wine Educator who runs interactive virtual tastings for corporates or to connect friends and family. Wines and cheeses delivered to the door! Wine from Wine at Home.

Unicornandthevine.com / wineathome.org

BeerGinVino

Occasional masterclasses on Gin, Wine, Beer and other Spirits. Next up: SkyWave Gin on 3rd Dec. beerginvino.com

Occitanie Wine School

An 11-episode series that’s easy to catch-up with on YouTube. offering and insight into the wine regions of Occitanie, bringing to life its top performing, distinctive appellations. 

suddefrance.co.uk

Online Spirits Tastings and Masterclasses

Sky Wave Gin

Sky Wave Gin create bespoke gin themed corporate virtual events for you and your clients or friends through the magic of the internet. Our virtual events can run for 1 hour as a stand alone event or can  incorporate a new product demo or corporate announcement followed by a 45 minute Virtual Gin Tasting session – both are led by Sky Wave Gin’s Master Distiller with a curated gin tasting, quiz, fun facts and a Q&A section. Follow them on Instagram @SKYWAVEGIN and see more on the web address below.

skywavegin.com/virtual-gin-tasting

York Gin

York Gin are running regular events on Zoom featuring all six of our gins, mixers and garnishes, snacks and surprises. Hosted by two of our experts who normally do the tastings in our beautiful Tudor shop in York.
yorkgin.com/product/york-gin-night-in-tasting-zoom

TastingOnline.co.uk

Bespoke tasting experiences with a crack team! Hold a tasting of anything, anything from wine, cider, beers, cocktails, Sake to no/low or a mix of all of them.

tastingonline.co.uk

Liberated Liquid

Fine Whisky, Gin & Rum masterclasses by @LiberatedLiquid using stocks from their city bars. Liberatedliquid.com

BeerGinVino

Occasional masterclasses on Gin, Wine, Beer and other Spirits. Next up: SkyWave Gin on 3rd Dec. beerginvino.com

Virtual Tastings

Offering private tastings showcasing our collection of unique, lesser-known wines (as well as ciders and gin!)

virtualtastings.co.uk

Online Beer Masterclasses

BeerGinVino

Occasional masterclasses on Gin, Wine, Beer and other Spirits. Next up: SkyWave Gin on 3rd Dec. beerginvino.com

TastingOnline.co.uk

Bespoke tasting experiences with a crack team! Hold a tasting of anything, anything from wine, cider, beers, cocktails, Sake to no/low or a mix of all of them.

tastingonline.co.uk

not an online virtual whisky tasting as such, I still think it is relevant to the lockdown list considering the product was developed during and for the purposes of lockdown!

Angel Share Artworks

We are reinventing the whisky flavour chart to enhance the whisky tasting experience at home. Whether you are looking to train your senses or display unique whisky wall art, an Angel Share Artwork is a fantastic addition to the enthusiasts’ collection. While not an online tasting, it will enhance any that you do!

www.AngelShare.Art

For a list of tastings you can join in with, Spitbucket.net have compiled a huge database of tastings that are happening online, with over 7400 tasting listed since May! Check out VirtualWineEvents.com. Another list to peruse is grapegathering.com

Tips for Online and Home Wine Tastings

Words by Helena Nicklin

With Lockdown 2.0 well underway and the new tier system being announced, we’ve been inundated with questions about how best to go about holding your own online tastings. The popularity of home wine tastings has soared during lockdown (along with wine consumption) as people have enjoyed bonding with friends online over a drink, all the while sharing a learning experience. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your home wine tastings, whether with friends in person or online. 

How many wines?

For online wine tastings, four bottles is optimum. Wine tasting is often about playing ‘spot the difference’, so it's good to have a range that you can compare and contrast. Any more than that gets a little tricky as concentration tends to wane after wine number four and it's harder to get it back when online!

In person, perhaps in your ‘bubble’, you could go to six bottles but for this, you would need a solid theme to keep it focused and educational rather than descending into drunken madness. So, what about that theme? Which wines to choose?

Which wines to choose?

Theme-wise, this could be one or two grape varieties from various countries to see the difference terroir makes. It could be key grapes from one country, key styles of sparkling wine. Wine always makes more sense within a context, so a theme helps bring everything you learn together. Here are some suggestions:

• Key grapes of X country

• Key grapes of X region

• 3 Grapes, 6 ways:  3 x New World Vs 3 x Old World versions of the same grape.

• Key styles of sparkling wine: Prosecco Vs Cava Vs Champagne

• Single grape global tasting tours: several versions of 1 grape variety from different countries and regions.

• Rosé styles from around the world.

• Unusual grape varieties.

• Taste all styles of Sherry (Fino, En Rama, Manzanilla, Amontillado, Oloroso, Cream, PX…)

• Taste all styles of Port (White, Ruby, tawny, LBV, Vintage…)

How to not waste wine?

Photo Credit: Coravin

A good question this, especially if there are only two of you in the room and you've opened a tonne of wine. Here are various ways you can taste several wines without wastage:

Get a gadget: Luckily, there are some brilliant gadgets on the market that use argon gas to keep your wine fresh for days, weeks or even years in some cases. I have a Coravin and it has been my saviour in lockdown as I taste many different wines without having to waste anything in the bottle. It uses a needle to go through real corks (and screw caps), pushing in inert argon gas, which pushes out the wine into your glass. Try their new Pivot which has just launched, if you know you will drink you vino within a month. There are also less expensive sprays that do a similar job, such as Winesave Pro though they don’t last quite as long and have the gadget to keep sneaky bits of oxygen out.

Buy half bottles: Happily, these are easier to find these days and many independent merchants sell a good range. I have recommended these guy before: Little Fine Wine Company, Philglass & Swiggot, Dulwich Vintners. Ping us for a mention if you have a good selection! Helena@thethreedrinkers.com

Be a wine fairy: Leave open bottles with their corks /screw caps on your neighbours doorsteps. Believe me, no one minds those sorts of leftovers, especially at Christmas!

How many glasses?

If you can, it’s always best to have a fresh glass for each wine. That way, you can go backwards and forwards between them, which is important as it’s the differences between each of the wines that helps you learn and understand things like acidity, tannin, aroma, oak etc. Have a water glass on hand too - and keep it full!

Where to buy the wines?

If you’re happy for full-size bottles, use the same supplier for all the wines, especially while still in part lockdown when delivery can be erratic. order them 5 - 7 days in advance to make sure they arrive on time. Independent merchants are great for this AND you can call them up and ask for their suggestions. Check out our lockdown list here for suppliers near you.

What order to taste wine in?

Ok, you have your glasses, you have your wines. Now what? If you’re taking yourself through the wines, you might be wondering what order to taste them in and what to look for. Order-wise, a rule of thumb is to start with whites, then pinks, then reds. If you have an idea which grape varieties make lighter or heavier wines, order them with the lightest first. If you’re tasting wines all of one colour and aren’t sure about grapes, then check out the alcohol content and go light to heavy. It’s not a perfect solution but it’s better than totally guessing!

What are you looking for and why?

Now it’s time for the fun bit: tasting. Getting to know wine is not just about what it tastes like. Make sure you also pay attention to the following things as they are all clues about grape variety and, often, regional quirks. Taste your wine like a detective and you’ll find that you’ll soon start to work out which styles of wines you prefer and which are best for certain occasions and food matches.

Colour: Ok, so a wine is red, but is it cherry red, brick red, or purple-red? Likewise, is a white wine pale lemon in colour, green-tinged or a rich yellow-gold? Make a note!

Concentration: Is it pale and watery or thick and opaque? Can you see straight through it or could you cut it with a knife?

Smell (‘aroma’): Stick your nose right in the glass. Does the aroma jump out and slap you in the face or is there barely anything there? In winespeak, the first scenario is a ‘pronounced’ aroma and the latter is referred to as ‘closed’.

Texture: Swill the wine all around your mouth, over your teeth and gums. You miss so much if you just glug it back! Pay attention to the way a wine feels in your mouth. Is it watery and tart (‘acidic’ in winespeak)? Does it have an oily texture? Does it feel heavy or light? Does it make you want to lick your teeth and gums (tannic)?

Flavour: Are you getting tart green fruit or ripe tropical fruit, for example? Crunchy red fruit like redcurrant, or dark purple fruit such as plum? Is the flavour pronounced or subtle? Are there lots of different complex flavours or is it one-dimensional like fruit cordial? Remember, tasting wine is subjective, so give it a taste descriptor that you’re not going to forget! Armpits, cat pee and weird herbal sausages will all be memorable to you!

Aftertaste (‘finish’ or ‘length’): Once you have swallowed the wine, breathe out. Can you still taste the flavour (a ‘long finish’) or does it disappear immediately (‘short finish’)? Is there an alcohol burn left in your throat? Does it leave a pleasant taste for example, or is it nasty and bitter?

Once you’ve tasted everything, perhaps go back and ask your friend /partner to taste them blind so see what you took in.

Can I get a professional to run the tasting?

Yes you can. Here is a huge list of companies offering private and corporate tastings via zoom.

Let us know how you go! 

Like this? See our One Minute Wine Ace guides for more inspiration: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rasteau, Cotes du Rhone, Tempranillo,

Aromaster Master Wine Kit

The folks over at Aromaster have created an extensive kit aimed to help educate wine enthusiasts about the variety of aromas coming from their wines, which will further improve one’s tasting abilities. Master Wine Aroma Kit was developed by sommeliers to be viewed as a library of wine scents. Use the library as an educational tool or a friendly game to test your nose.

The kit combines the 88 most common scents found world wide in sparkling, white, red, and sweet wines, a manual of how to appropriately use the aromas, the Wine Aroma Wheel Booklet, a board game, and four metal tokens designed by artist Yves Lemay. The aromas are split into the following groupings: fruity (white or red wine), floral, vegetal, mineral, yeast, malolactic fermentation, maturation in oak barrel, aged white wine, aged red wine, and wine faults. The Wine Aroma Wheel Booklet is a visual representation of the most common aromas found in wine; this will become your greatest companion during tastings. The board game allows players to travel across wine producing regions of the world and tests their ability to appropriately identify wine aromas. Use the four metal tokens as game pieces.

The Master Wine Aroma kit really has thought of everything—educational, fun, and some friendly competition! Check out Aromaster’s other aroma based products covering cognac, whisky, beer, sake, coffee, and cigar and become an all-around aroma master!

Available now for £299

How do you like your eggs? The effect of vessels on wine flavour and texture

The world of wine is changing so quickly, people like us need to do our best to keep up. With this in mind, the three of us were intrigued to attend a tasting held last week by award-winning Languedoc winery Domaine Gayda and their importer, New Generation. 

This fascinating tasting showcased the dramatically different effects that vessels used to age wine can have on its flavour and texture. Why is this important? These days, most consumers are looking for wines that can be opened straight away rather than laying them down to age for years, so winemakers from regions with traditionally heavier red blends such as the Languedoc have had to revise their techniques. Forward-thinking Gayda have been experimenting extensively since 2012 to see which methods produce the most delicious wines that can be drunk straight away.  Here’s what they trailed and what we found.

The vineyards at Domain Gayda. Credit: www.gaydavineyards.com

Same grape, vineyard, vintage and fermentation

To do this experiment, the domaine took exactly the same wine (100% Syrah from 30 year old vines in the south-east facing, Col de la Dona vineyard in Roussillon, harvested by hand and fermented in stainless steel) before transferring it into nine different vessels and left for nine months. Here’s what they used and the effects we tasted on the wine in practice:

Stainless Steel Tank (1500 litres)

Considered to be the benchmark for a neutral sample. Result expected: Clean, bright fruit and lean texture.

Terracotta Egg (700 litres)

The most amount of oxygen exchange expected due to porosity of the material. Egg shape allows for most amount of liquid and lees movement. Result expected: a more oxidative style with overripe fruit and juicy texture.

Concrete Egg (1600 litres)

Inert and cool with little oxygen exchange. Egg shape allows for most amount of liquid and lees movement. Result expected: Freshness, minerality and aromatics.

Plastic Egg (High density polyethylene egg - 1000 litres)

Plastic but with oxygen exchange to mimic a new oak oak barrel (17 mg/l per year oxygen transmission). Liquid and lees movement. Result expected: Freshness and aromatics with perhaps a wider, more lush texture from the extra oxygen.

Oak Foudre (v large barrel -2000 litres)

Oxygen exchange and a good amount of lees and liquid movement allowed. Result expected: ripest fruit with noticeably creamy texture.

Oak Barrel 500 litre (1 year old)

Half the size of a foudre and quite new, with some movement of liquid and lees. Result expected: subtle oak flavour and marked tannic structure with some creaminess from oxygen exchange.

Oak Barrel 228 litre (1 year old)

Half the size again and quite new, with some movement of liquid and lees. Result expected: more noticable oak flavour and heavier tannic structure.

Oak Barrel 228 litre (3 years old)

As above but after two more years of use. Result expected: less oak influence in terms of flavour, but a creamy structure because of the oxygen exchange. 

Sandstone Jar

The material and shape of this jar allows for the least amount of oxygen exchange and movement of liquid and lees. Result expected: reduced flavours (a bit stinky and sulphurous), savoury notes and less fruit. 

Conclusions

The differences were clear, but there we certainly some surprises. The most perfumed, pretty aromatics came from the eggs, especially the plastic one with its oxygen exchange system. The large oak barrel gave a wine that felt it had developed too early; that was overripe and lush, but would probably not go on much longer. The traditional stainless steel felt less fresh and round in comparison to the eggs, highlighting that these new vessels really do have a great place and purpose in modern winemaking. The more classic vessels - the smaller oak barrels -gave the most classic result of slightly spiced, textural wines with open, ripe fruit, but they still felt that they would be best tasted after a bit more time.

All in all, this was an incredibly interesting experiment that made most people in the room rethink their preconceptions about which materials do what to wine. It’s worth noting however that this was a big, ballsy Syrah and the results will be slightly different with other grape varieties. It’s all about choosing your vessel according to desired style. As Gayda winemaker Vincent Chansault says, it’s just like pots and pans for cooking. You chose one over another to add a certain nuance to your dish. With wine, it’s just the same.

Taste the Syrah

• Domaine Gayda Cepages Syrah, RRP £8 - 10 from Cambridge Wine Merchants

• No 1 Syrah, Domaine Gayda RRP £78 for 6 from ChapelDown.com

Syrah plays a large part in Gayda’s top wine: Chemin de Moscou

• Try Chemin de Moscou 2015 RRP £29.95 from Amazon

See more about Domaine Gayda

See more about New Generation Wines

By Helena Nicklin

The Wine Society: Top picks for Spring & Summer 2019

As wine writers, we get invited to a lot of press tastings, where we are lucky enough to try many of the wines on offer from various merchants, clubs and supermarkets all at once. One tasting we are always happy to go to is that of The Wine Society: a national institution that despite being founded in 1874 has moved seamlessly with the times to offer genuinely fantastic examples of key grapes and styles of wine as well as hand-picked, lesser known wines from places you may never have heard of (but that will blow your mind). The best bit? As The Society is owned by its members, there are no obligations to place huge margins on the wines, so everything you taste punches well above its price tag as the buyers have the freedom to buy the best. With wines from £5 all the way up to iconic, more collectible bottles, this is where to come to learn your wine basics by tasting through their benchmark styles before moving on to expand your palate, happy to do so as you know and trust their choices.

Here’s our pick from yesterday’s press tasting:

SPARKLING

Crémant de Jura, Domaine de Montbourgeau, France, NV. £14.50

Fabulous, classy, Champagne-style bubbles (traditional method) with loads of tang and flavour. Made with 100% Chardonnay and ridiculous value. 12%

Alfred Gratien Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, 2012. £39

Proper, seriously good, 100% Chardonnay Champagne with all the trimmings: brioche, apple-skin, peaches, rainbows...

Alfred Gratien Brut 2006, £42

If you’re into aged vintage Champagne with a slight funky edge, you will adore this. Rich, round and a touch nutty, there’s so much going on.

WHITE CLASSICS

The Society’s Exhibition Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain, 2018. £14.50

Yes, you can find some cheaper Albariño, but this is the best version we have tasted for ages. Crisp and citrus with a chalky kick and tropical, peachy note. Gorgeous.

Contino Blanco, Rioja, Spain, 2017. £20

A very well put together white Rioja that is fresh, floral with buttery, pineapple notes right now, but will also age beautifully. Made by a tip top producer.

Jacques Saumaize, Macon-Vergisson Sur La Roche, Burgundy, France, 2017. £12.95

Quite simply, a beautifully fresh and youthful, unoaked Chardonnay with tonnes of fruit.

Soave Classico, Calvarino, Pieropan, Italy 2016. £18

Soave can be boring but Pieropan’s is the icon. Incredible texture, floral aromatics and ripe fruit. Summer in a glass.

WHITE ‘MUST-TRY’ QUIRKIES

Quinta de Calçada Alvarinho, Minho, Portugal, 2018. £9.50

Another gorgeous Albariño but from Portugal this time. Saline and citrussy with great texture. Say its name out loud for extra enjoyment.

Pepe Mendoza, Moscatel, Macabeo, Airen & Alicante blend, Spain, 2018. £11.75

(Available from July) A happy, summery wine. White flowers, oranges and lemon cream with the lightest touch. Huge drinkability.

Szolo Tempo Tokaj Furmint, Hungary, 2017. £14.95

Hungarian Furmint is a grape to look out for if you love refreshing, crisp whites with an off-dry element, like this one. Perfect with mildly spiced thai food.

Blackbook Winery, The Mixup, England, 2018. £18

Properly quirky, this one! And made in London to boot by this exciting new winery. 50:50 Bacchus and Ortega grapes. Sweet, grassy nose but dry palate. Very textural. A great food wine. Gloriously different and unique.

PINK

Corent Côtes d’Auvergne, Saint-Vernay, France, 2018. £9.50

Did you know that Corent must always be rosé and always made from the Gamay grape? This dark pink wonder is all tangy, wild strawberry with a subtle, savoury note. In between a Provençal and Tavel style. Delicious and great value.

Domaine Alzipratu, Fiumesecco Rosé, Ile de Beauté, Corsica, France, 2018. £14.50

A crazy Corsican name, this easy-to-love pink is made from the local Sciaccarellu grape and it has an incredibly soft, round palate with charming peach and melon flavours.

RED CLASSICS

El Pacto, Crianza, Rioja, Spain, 2016, £11.50

All those classic Rioja flavours, but with a particularly fresh acidity and lovely herbaceous note. Not overblown. Infinitely moreish.

The Society’s Exhibition Margaux, France, 2015. £23

This Margaux shows why this Bordeaux appellation is so sought-after: positively regal with silky, dark fruit, classic, Cabernet features and a seamless, mineral core. Gorgeous plum and violet notes too.

The Society’s Exhibition Fleurie, France, 2018. £10.50

Beaujolais is back and it’s better than ever. This Fleurie has all the hallmarks that make the appellation famous: perfume and light-bodied silkiness, but it’s a million miles away from the soapy styles of yore. Crying out for charcuterie.

Langhe Nebbiolo A Mont, Paolo Conterno, Italy, 2016 £18

This wine is just how you want non-Barolo nebbioo to be: ethereal and earthy with subtle violets and rose. Utterly beguiling.

RED ‘MUST-TRY’ QUIRKIES

Undurraga Cauquenes Estate Carignan, Chile, 2016. £8.95

Chilean Carignan is getting really good. Tangy and refreshing, it’s got a moreish, chewy texture and strawberry jam notes.

Cirò Rosso Gaglioppo, Santa Venere, Italy, 2017. £9.95

Rustic, but with charm, this is earthy and fruity with fairly high tannin. A bit like a fruitier Nero D’Avola. Made with Gaglioppo grapes from Calabria.

Duché d’Uzès, Les Perrasieres, Domaine Camp Galhan, France, 2016. £10.50

If you’re a fan of Syrah form the Northern  Rhône, you will love this. Tonnes of thyme, rosemary and violets on the nose and a silky, plum fruit texture. Great value for great Syrah.

Kardarka, Maurer, Serbia, 2017. £14.50

A Serbian wine, no less! Kadarka is the grape and makes wines that are really light in colour and bright red. The flavour profile is so interesting: rose petal and figs, with a viscous, licorice and caramel finish. Definitely worth a taste and only 11% abv.

By Helena Nicklin