Fines Bulles (France)

In the Loire Valley, sparkling wines are best known as Fines Bulles.

These wines are typically made from 70% Chenin Blanc and 30% Chardonnay. The rosé variant is typical 100% Cabernet Franc.

Fines Bulles Flavors

Typical Fines Bulles flavors are Citrus, Apple, Pear, Pineapple, White Flowers. Herbs and Almonds.

Lemon

Lime

Apple

Pear

Pineapple

Flowers

Herbs

Almonds

Fines Bulles Profile

Fines Bulles wines are dry and acidic, much like Prosecco:

SUGAR:	Dry 3g/l

BODY:	Light

FRUIT:	Low

ACIDITY:	High

ALCOHOL:	10-12% ABV

	Serving temperatures: 6-8°C (43-46°F)

Fines Bulles Food Pairing

You can drink sparkling wine to almost everything, whether it is French Champagne, Spanish Cava or Italian Prosecco.

Sparkling wines pair very well with salty food, because the bubbles break up the salt in the mouth. The acidity and bubbles also pair well with rich food, creamy and oily dishes.

Aperitif

Salads

Tapas

Sandwitch

Seafood

Fries

Egg Dishes

Pasta

Strawberries

Cantucci

Panettone

Soft Cheese

Excellent Pairings

Antipasti. Sandwiches. Focaccia.
Green Salad. Asparagus. Avocado. Artichokes.
Ham and Melon. Prosciutto. Serano.
Egg Dishes. Omelette. Smoked Salmon.
French Fries. Popcorn.
Panettone. Biscuits.
Fruit Salad. Sweet Soufflés.
Figs. Chocolate. Crème Brulée.

The Ideal Glass for Fines Bulles

A Flute Glass has a tall and narrow bowl to emphasize the aromas of the wine. The shape also helps balance the acidity found in sparkling wines.

Flutes also preserve bubbles by reducing the surface area at the top, which slows the release of carbonation, keeping a sparkling wine fizzy for longer.

Fines Bulles Cheese Pairing

Brie

Camembert

Chèvre

Chaource

Langres

Tomme

Brie and Camembert

The creamy, buttery texture and mild flavors of Brie or Camembert pair well with Fines Bulles's soft bubbles and fruity notes. Serve the cheese at room temperature with slices of pear or apple.

Chèvre (Goat Cheese)

The tangy, fresh flavors of goat cheese complement the acidity often found in Fines Bulles, especially those made from Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc. Drizzle with a bit of honey or sprinkle with fresh herbs.

Chaource

This creamy, slightly tangy cheese enhances Fines Bulles's gentle acidity and complements its soft bubbles. Serve with fresh berries or a touch of apricot jam.

Langres

This mild, washed-rind cheese has a creamy texture and a subtle tang that pairs beautifully with Fines Bulles. Add a small drop of honey or serve with fresh grapes.

Tomme de Savoie

This semi-hard, nutty cheese pairs beautifully with the gentle effervescence and often fruity character of Fines Bulles. Add some dried fruits or nuts to highlight the pairing.

Wine Region Loire

Loire Valley Climate

Different regions are subject to different climate influences:

Lower Loire (Muscadet and Pays Nantais) has a cool maritime climate with high rainfall.
Middle Loire (Anjou-Saumur and Touraine) has a cold climate with a mix of oceanic and continental influence.
Central Loire (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé) has a cold continental climate with cold winters and warm summers.

Loire Valley Terroir

The terroir in the Loire Valley is incredibly varied due to its geographic spread:

Lower Loire is known for its granite and schist soils, which give the wines (Muscadet) a distinctive mineral character.
Middle Loire has limestone, clay and sand soils. The Saumur and Touraine soils can be good for both white and red wines.
Central Loire has limestone and silex (flint) soils which give the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé wines their signature smoky and mineral flavors.