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Crémant d'Alsace, a sparkling wine that has become a must-have

Crémant d'Alsace is today one of the most prominent symbols of the Alsatian wine region. Rooted in a long winemaking tradition and produced using the traditional method, it is primarily made from Pinot Blanc grapes, but also from Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, or even Pinot Noir for the rosé versions. It has established itself as a benchmark sparkling wine, perfect both as an aperitif and with a meal.

Today, France has eight regions producing Crémant with a protected designation of origin (AOC), but Alsace stands out as the market leader. With over 40 million bottles produced annually, Crémant d'Alsace alone accounts for approximately 40% of Alsace wine production and nearly 36% of the French Crémant market share. Showing consistent growth (sales projected to increase by 2,9% by 2025), it continues to surprise in a global context marked by a decline in wine consumption.

50 years of AOC: half a century of history and success

In 2026, the Crémant d'Alsace Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée celebrates its 50th anniversary. Created in 1976, it was part of a pivotal period for French sparkling wines: after the Crémants de Bourgogne and de Loire were recognized in 1975, Alsace in turn obtained its AOC, laying the foundations for a new identity for these wines which were once perceived as simply "regional sparkling wines".

Since then, Crémant d'Alsace has evolved significantly, becoming a true driving force of the regional vineyards. A symbol of modernity and expertise, it has established itself as France's leading Crémant, thanks to the winemakers' unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. This momentum contributes to the attractiveness of the entire region, with continuously growing production and recognition that extends far beyond its borders.

Three winegrowers from Albé are making Crémant sparkling in the Villé Valley

While Crémant d'Alsace celebrates its 50th anniversary today, its story is also being written locally thanks to the winemakers who keep this tradition alive every day. In Albé, three estates participate in this sparkling adventure by offering their own Crémant d'Alsace cuvées, each marked by the unique character of the village's schist terroir.

Nestled in the heart of a mountain vineyard spanning over 14 hectares and cultivated using organic farming methods, Domaine Christian Barthel enjoys an exceptional setting. Located between 350 and 500 meters above sea level on steep slopes, the vines benefit from a unique climate where the significant temperature variations between day and night allow for the slow ripening of the grapes. Combined with the characteristic grey schist of Albé, this rare terroir in Alsace gives rise to elegant wines, marked by their freshness and minerality. The estate offers several Crémant d'Alsace wines: Extra Brut Blanc, Brut Blanc, and Brut Rosé.

More recently, Domaine Thomas K was established in 2015 as a family venture led by Thomas Klein and his father. Together, they revived high-altitude vineyard plots on the grey schist soils of Albé, once nicknamed "Land of Great Wine" by the Romans. Now certified High Environmental Value (HVE), the estate continues its environmentally conscious practices and produces, among other wines, a Crémant Blanc d'Alsace and a Crémant Rosé.

Even younger, Maison Moritz Prado, founded in 2018, was built around a family project blending passion and a quest for excellence. The estate focuses on a precise approach to winemaking: plot-by-plot work, indigenous yeasts, and varied aging in stainless steel tanks, barrels, or stoneware amphorae. This philosophy aims to allow the identity of each terroir to fully express itself.