Wines Crémant de Bourgogne Bailly Lapierre - Pinot Noir - 2022

Viniou Reviews

Bailly Lapierre’s Crémant de Bourgogne, Cuvée Pinot Noir 2022, is a sparkling blanc de noirs, signifying that this elegant wine is entirely crafted from Pinot Noir grapes, despite presenting as a white wine. The 2022 vintage in Burgundy yielded expressive fruit with a balancing freshness, particularly favourable for sparkling wines. Produced according to the traditional method, identical to Champagne, this wine undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle, bestowing it with persistent fine bubbles and a remarkable creamy mousse. The nature of a blanc de noirs imparts subtle structure and depth, often with delicate red fruit notes enlivened by crisp acidity, making it particularly charming in its youth but with a potential to evolve complexity over two to three years.

Burgundy is a celebrated, intricate patchwork of vineyards in eastern France, renowned globally for its expertise with both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The region benefits from a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers; vineyards for Crémant are often chosen to impart tension and freshness to their produce. The soils here, predominantly limestone mixed with marl and clay, are ideal for sparkling wine production, offering vivid mineral undertones. Burgundy’s tradition with méthode traditionnelle dates back to the 19th century, well before Crémant de Bourgogne’s official recognition in 1975, and today’s producers such as Bailly Lapierre continue to elevate the reputation for quality fizz outside Champagne.

This Crémant de Bourgogne pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Its lively acidity and gentle red fruit character make it an excellent companion for seafood—such as oysters, langoustines, and shellfish gratins—or as an aperitif with gougères, those classic Burgundian cheese puffs. For a more substantial pairing, consider it with sushi, charcuterie, roast poultry, or even a creamy mushroom risotto, where the wine’s freshness will cut through richer flavours.

To best enjoy this sparkling wine, serve it well-chilled at 6-8°C. Use flutes or tulip-shaped glasses to showcase its aromatic nuances and allow the bubbles to dance elegantly. If you wish to appreciate its fruitier and rounder qualities, let the wine warm gently in the glass after pouring.