In the Bordelais, demands are being made to allow white grape varieties for the production of rosé crémant in the future. In doing so, winegrowers want to counteract global warming and create fresher rosé wine profiles. A corresponding amendment to the Cahier des Charges, which regulates the production conditions, has been submitted.
Specifically, it concerns Muscadelle, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris – the former with a share of up to 30 percent in the blend, and Sauvignon Blanc and Gris with a maximum share of 10 percent each. The change could come into force as early as 1 September and would thus apply for the first time to the 2021 vintage.
Stéphane Gabard, president of the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieurs union, told the French trade press: "Our winemakers have expressed an interest in blending white grapes in rosés in certain years to maintain freshness and control the profile."
Until now, rosé cremants from Bordeaux have only included the red varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Camenère, Malbec and Petit verdot, with around 60,000 hectolitres of Cŕemant de Bordeaux produced in 2020. itp/aw
