Luxembourg shines at Crémant awards

The 24^th Concours National des Crémants saw 200 medals awarded to sparkling wines from the seven French appellations and Luxembourg.

This year’s event was hosted in the Loire, with the competition held in Amboise in the heart of the Crémant de Loire appellation.

Over 600 wines from the eight regions were judged by 205 producers and other members of the wine trade and 200 medals were eventually awarded, 102 gold, 84 silver and 12 bronze.

Burgundy came away with the most medals, 47 in total, closely followed by Luxembourg with 34 but it was the small duchy that secured the most golds, 22 in all.

Christian Pauleau, president of the Syndicat Général des Vignerons Producteurs de Crémant de Loire and vice-president of the National Federation of Crémant producers, said: “This annual event is like a grand family reunion and a chance to discuss issues surrounding Crémant, including the use of the term which we must always fight for.

“With more than 75 million bottles sold in 2014 the market for Crémant is strong. Every year we see growth of 5% to 7% and this growth is even greater for those appellations which produce rosé.

“We see also that the export market in particular is boosting sales and for certain appellations equates to almost 50% of their volumes.”

Oliver Sohler, director of the federation, added: “This competition is a quality barometer of current vintages on the market. Medal-winning wines are true ambassadors for their region and are flag-bearers for Crémant around the world.”

Tribute was also paid to former president and founder of the federation, Pierre Dopff, who died some days ago as well as welcoming, for the first time, a delegation from Savoie which is soon to become the eighth Crémant appellation in France at the end of this year.

Next year’s competition will be held in Limoux.