The traditional method in the Loire is a specific winemaking technique employed in the Loire wine region in France. This method, also known as the Champagne method, is primarily used to produce high-quality sparkling wines, such as Crémant de Loire and Saumur Brut.
The traditional method in the Loire involves a two-stage fermentation process. The first fermentation takes place in tanks, similar to still wines. It is during the second fermentation, which occurs in the bottle, that the wine develops its effervescence. The bottles are then stored horizontally for a period ranging from 9 months to several years, a stage known as “prise de mousse.” During this time, the yeast converts sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide, giving the wine its characteristic bubbles.
The traditional method in the Loire does not stop there. After the “prise de mousse,” the bottles are placed on racks, upside down, so that the dead yeast, or lees, settle in the neck. This process is called riddling. Once the lees have accumulated in the neck, they are ejected during disgorging, an operation that involves opening the bottle, letting the lees come out due to pressure, and quickly reclosing the bottle. Disgorging is followed by the addition of a dosage liqueur, which determines the sweetness level of the wine.
The traditional method in the Loire produces elegant and complex sparkling wines, with fine and persistent bubbles. They exhibit a wide range of aromas, from fresh fruits to more evolved notes of toasted bread, brioche, or hazelnut, acquired during aging on lees.
To conclude, let me share a little anecdote with you. Did you know that the traditional method owes much of its existence to a Benedictine monk from the 17th century? Indeed, it was Dom Pérignon who developed this winemaking technique at the Abbey of Hautvillers in Champagne. At the time, he was trying to find a way to eliminate bubbles from his wines, which were considered a flaw. Ironically, it is thanks to his research that we can now appreciate the fine bubbles and complexity of sparkling wines produced using the traditional method in the Loire.
