‘The best value for quality bubbles’: Patriarche Crémant sales surge 20%
Patriarche is leading the way in Crémant production, with sales leaping by 20% over the past year. “Our recent investments in Crémant production have helped us to boost the quality and capacity of our plant making Crémant at the heart of our strategy,” says Patriarche-Kriter and Barton & Guestier MD Philippe Marion.
Crémant is currently a shining star in the wine world, with global sales peaking at 114.5m bottles in 2024 (Fédération Nationale des Producteurs et Élaborateurs de Crémant), Consumers, reluctant to splash out on Champagne, are seeking an alternate, high-quality sparkling fix. And Maison Patriarche is leading the way, with sales surging by 20% over the past year, ahead of the market growth rate of 15%. But you don’t need stats to prove the quality of the winemaker’s Crémant de Bourgogne – just a flute, and a bottle of the stuff.
“Our Crémant de Bourgogne reveals a brilliant pale gold colour, with fine, persistent bubbles that rise elegantly,” describes Philippe Marion, managing director of Patriarche-Kriter and Barton & Guestier. “The nose is delicate yet expressive, offering aromas of ripe yellow stone fruits (apricot, peach) intertwined with crisp white fruits (green apple, pear), complemented by subtle toasty notes and a touch of white flowers. On the palate, the wine is well-balanced, medium-bodied, and harmonious, with a fresh and vibrant character that carries remarkable finesse.” Then, he continues, the finish is “long and persistent,” leaving a lingering impression of “freshness, fruitiness, and a fine complexity that invites further exploration”.
And, if you’re lucky, you may at the same time savour a plate of Gougères, a local cheese beignet and a plate of ham or olives. This is because Patriarche’s Crémant de Bourgogne, as an aperitif, pairs particularly deliciously with these dishes. “Crémant is so versatile,” adds Marion.
Growth strategy
He’s right. Crémant can come from eight appellations in France, but Crémant de Bourgogne comes from vineyards across the Burgundy region. Since 1975 its rules have been aligned with the production method of Champagne. In practice, this means grapes are hand-picked into small crates to avoid damage, and pressing is limited to 100 litres of juice per 150 kg of fruit to preserve quality. The second fermentation must occur in the bottle, followed by at least nine months of ageing on the lees to develop the typical biscuity, autolytic notes. After disgorgement, bottles must rest an additional three months before release.
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Patriarche’s Crémant de Bourgogne blends four classic Burgundy varieties. Base wines are bottled the January after harvest and aged on lees for 15 to 18 months, adding depth and maturity. The wine is ingrained in Patriarche’s history: “With 250 years of existence, Patriarche is among the founders of the modern Burgundy producers and Crémant has always been in our portfolio,” explains Marion. But it’s also key to the winery’s future growth: “Our recent investments in Crémant production have helped us to boost the quality and capacity of our plant making Crémant at the heart of our strategy.”
Production process
Crémant de Bourgogne is closer to Champagne than other wines in the Maison’s portfolio due to similar varietals and climate conditions, according to Marion. “Some consumers have given up about Champagne prices after Covid. Looking for a similar style, they love Crémant which offers incredible value,” he adds. He explains the production process: “We source the best grapes and control the first fermentation to obtain the base wine that will go in the Champenoise bottles to sustain the second fermentation. It ages on the lees for nine months, the wine cannot be sent to the markets before 12 months in the bottle.”
What makes the fizz stand out from the crowd? “The finesse of the bubbles, the aromatic centred around floral notes and the complexity of the wine,” Marion sums up. “We remain into classic packaging as Crémant de Bourgogne is often acquired by consumers who did not accept the huge price increase in the Champagne segment and wanted to have a similar type of tasting profile,” he says.
Looking forward, Marion can see the Crémant category doubling in size if grapes remain available and pricing stays reasonable. All in all, Patriarche’s message is simple: “The best value for quality bubbles!”
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