Crémant de Bourgogne or Champagne: what are the differences?
Reading time: 6 minutes
It's one of the most frequent questions we get asked at the Chablis shop: "What's the difference between a Crémant de Bourgogne and a Champagne?"
The short answer: the same method, common grape varieties, but two terroirs and two philosophies that produce very different wines. The long answer is worth dwelling on—because it might just change the way you choose your bubbles.
A fundamental common point: the traditional method
Let's start with what brings these two wines together. Both Crémant de Bourgogne and Champagne are made using the traditional method (formerly known as "méthode champenoise", a term now reserved exclusively for Champagne).
The principle is identical:
- First fermentation — the grapes are vinified into still wine (non-sparkling).
- Tirage — a liqueur de tirage (sugar + yeasts) is added, and the wine is bottled.
- Secondary fermentation — a second fermentation occurs in the bottle, creating the bubbles.
- Aging on lees — the bottles rest on their lees, developing complexity and finesse.
- Riddling and disgorgement — the lees are expelled, the wine is topped up and then finally corked.
It is this method that gives both wines their fine and persistent bubbles—very different from the coarse bubbles of a simply carbonated wine.
What really distinguishes them
Terroir and climate
Champagne, northeast of Paris, benefits from a cool climate and chalky soils that produce high-acidity grapes—ideal for sparkling wines. It is a specialized vineyard: almost all production is dedicated to bubbles.
Burgundy, further south, offers a slightly more temperate climate and varied soils—limestone, Kimmeridgian marls, clay-limestone. The grapes ripen more, giving Crémants a roundness and fruity generosity less found in Champagne.
Grape varieties
Both appellations share Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as main grape varieties. But the blends differ:
- Champagne — Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier (a grape variety specific to Champagne). Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) and Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot) are identified styles.
- Crémant de Bourgogne — Chardonnay and Pinot Noir primarily, with the possibility of incorporating Aligoté, Gamay, or Sacy. The blend is often freer and more personal.
Our Crémant de Bourgogne Extra Brut, for example, is a blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay brings finesse and minerality; the Pinot Noir, structure and vinosity.
Aging time
This is one of the most significant regulatory differences:
- Champagne — minimum 15 months on lees (12 months for non-vintage), often much longer in practice (3 to 10 years for grand cuvées).
- Crémant de Bourgogne — minimum 9 months on lees.
Longer aging refines the bubbles, develops brioche and dried fruit aromas, and adds complexity. That's why, at the estate, we age our Crémant for 18 months on lees—double the minimum requirement. This choice brings our bubbles closer to the finesse expected of a Champagne.
Dosage
Dosage (addition of sugar after disgorgement) determines the style of the wine:
- Brut Nature : 0-3 g/l of sugar
- Extra Brut : 0-6 g/l
- Brut : 0-12 g/l
- Demi-sec : 32-50 g/l
Our Crémant Extra Brut is in the lowest range—a choice that allows the fruit and terroir to express themselves without being masked by sugar. The current trend, in both Champagne and Crémant, is clearly towards lower dosages.
And the price in all this?
This is often the argument that opens the discussion. For comparable production quality:
- An entry-level Champagne is between 25 and 35 euros.
- A quality Crémant de Bourgogne is between 10 and 18 euros.
This price difference does not necessarily reflect a quality difference. It is mainly explained by the price of land in Champagne (the highest in France for vineyards), higher production costs, and the historical prestige of the appellation.
A well-made Crémant de Bourgogne, from a serious estate, offers an often unbeatable quality-to-pleasure ratio.
When to choose a Crémant rather than a Champagne?
The two wines are not opposed—they complement each other. Here are some situations where Crémant de Bourgogne is a particularly relevant choice:
- Everyday aperitif — an Extra Brut Crémant is perfect for an evening with friends, without the solemnity sometimes associated with Champagne.
- Large gatherings — when you host 10 or 15 guests, Crémant allows you to serve beautiful bubbles on a controlled budget.
- Food and wine pairings — the roundness of Crémant de Bourgogne pairs beautifully with seafood, soft cheeses, and white fruit desserts.
- Discovery — if you want to explore sparkling wines beyond Champagne, Crémant de Bourgogne is an exciting entry point.
- Brunch — its freshness and lightness make it an ideal Sunday morning companion.
Our three Crémants
At the estate, we produce three cuvées that illustrate the diversity of Crémant de Bourgogne:
Crémant de Bourgogne Extra Brut
Our signature cuvée: 40% Chardonnay, 60% Pinot Noir, 18 months on lees. Fine bubbles, a nose of green apple and brioche, a lively and crisp palate. Available in 375 ml and 750 ml.
Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé
The freshness of Pinot Noir results in a delicate salmon color and aromas of small red fruits. Perfect for a summer aperitif.
Crémant "L'Élégante"
Our special cuvée, referenced in the Guide Hachette. A Crémant with more depth and complexity. For occasions that deserve exceptional bubbles.
The last word
Champagne is a magnificent wine, rich in history and prestige. No one claims otherwise. But Crémant de Bourgogne deserves to be considered for what it is—and not as a mere "substitute."
It is a sparkling wine in its own right, from great Burgundy terroirs, made with the same care and method. At a time when authenticity is sought more than the label, Crémant has a trump card to play.
Ready to form your own opinion? Discover our three Crémants de Bourgogne and let the bubbles speak for themselves.
