burgundy region

Crémant de Bourgogne at 50: A Sparkling Success Story in a Challenging Market

In a global wine landscape marked by declining consumption and shifting consumer habits, Crémant de Bourgogne has emerged as a rare growth story.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary as an official appellation in 2025, Burgundy’s flagship sparkling wine recorded a remarkable 9% increase in sales volumes compared to the previous year—highlighting its growing appeal both at home and abroad.

Rising Against the Market Trend

While many traditional wine categories face stagnation — and even Champagne has experienced slower momentum — Crémant de Bourgogne is gaining traction. According to the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bourgogne, this growth reflects a combination of strong value positioning and evolving consumer preferences toward high-quality yet accessible sparkling wines.

Production reached 231,000 hectoliters in 2025, equivalent to approximately 30 million bottles. The appellation is supported by around 4,000 hectares of vineyards, a figure that continues to expand as more producers invest in sparkling wine production. Today, Crémant de Bourgogne ranks as the third largest appellation in Burgundy by volume, representing 15% of the region’s total output across its 84 recognized denominations.

Export Markets Drive Expansion

A key driver behind this success is the appellation’s strong export performance. For the first time, international sales have overtaken domestic consumption, with 51% of total production now exported. Export volumes rose by an impressive 14% year-on-year, underscoring the wine’s growing global footprint.

North America remains a cornerstone market, with both the United States and Canada continuing to show steady demand. The United Kingdom has staged a notable recovery, with export volumes and value increasing by 27%. Meanwhile, Scandinavian countries are emerging as dynamic growth markets, reflecting broader trends toward premium yet affordable sparkling wines.

Interestingly, Italy—traditionally a powerhouse in sparkling wine production—has entered the top five export destinations for Crémant de Bourgogne, mirroring patterns observed in the global expansion of Champagne.

Affordability Meets Quality

One of the most compelling advantages of Crémant de Bourgogne lies in its price-quality ratio. With an average retail price of around €8 per bottle in French supermarkets, it offers consumers an accessible entry point into traditional-method sparkling wines.

Stylistically, the wines are appreciated for their freshness, vibrant acidity, and elegant lightness. Their versatility with food—from aperitifs to seafood and light dishes—has further strengthened their appeal across a wide range of consumer segments.

A New Identity for a Growing Category

To mark its 50th anniversary and reinforce its market position, the appellation has introduced a new brand identity under the slogan “Pétiller en grand.” This initiative aims to elevate the perception of Crémant de Bourgogne while supporting its continued expansion in competitive international markets.

As Burgundy continues to diversify beyond its still wine heritage, Crémant de Bourgogne stands out as a dynamic and strategic pillar of growth. Its ability to combine tradition, affordability, and global appeal positions it as one of the most promising sparkling wine categories in today’s evolving wine industry.

Source: Vinetur

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.