Structure

Bodymedium
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaknone or neutral

Drinking window

Best 2 to 8 years from vintage.
vintage2 yrs8 yrs10 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: green grape, overripe pear, lemon zest, elderflower, smoked almond

Palate: honeyed pear, brioche, green apple, biscuit, buttery

Ackerman's Chardonnay-led Cremant de Loire Royal. 36 months on the lees lend tertiary dried-fruit and almond notes, balanced by zesty lemon and a buttery, biscuity Chardonnay character with a long, dry finish.

What it pairs with

  • Sole meuniere
    Buttery Chardonnay palate matches the brown-butter sauce on delicate white fish.
  • Cheese souffle
    Brioche-and-biscuit Cremant lifts the cheese fat and adds biscuity counterpoint.
  • Lobster bisque
    Long, dry finish and high acidity cut through the rich shellfish cream.
  • Apple tarte Tatin
    Honeyed pear and green-apple register echo the caramelised fruit dessert.

History

The Royal range is Ackerman's flagship Cremant de Loire, with the Royal Brut blanc Chardonnay-led and aged a remarkable 36 months on the lees, well beyond the AOC minimum of 9 months.

  1. 1990: Royal Cremant de Loire range introduced as Ackerman's flagship

Facts

Producer
Maison Ackerman · visiting guide
Grapes
Chardonnay (60%), Chenin Blanc (20%), Cabernet Franc (20%)
Classification
Cremant de Loire AOC
Oak
stainless steel; 36 months on the lees followed by 6 months post-disgorgement
ABV
12.5%
Price
EUR 15 to 22 at retail
Drinking window
2 to 8 from vintage
First vintage
1990

Frequently asked about Royal Brut

What does Ackerman Royal Brut taste like?

Green grape, overripe pear, lemon zest, elderflower and faint smoked almond on the nose; honeyed pear, brioche, green apple, biscuit and a buttery Chardonnay character on the palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a long, dry finish.

When should I drink Ackerman Royal Brut?

Drink between 2 and 8 years from vintage, served chilled to 8 to 10 C. The 36-month lees aging means it shows complexity from the start.

What food pairs with Ackerman Royal Brut?

Sole meuniere, cheese souffle, lobster bisque and apple tarte Tatin are canonical pairings for the Chardonnay-led Cremant.

How long is Ackerman Royal Brut aged?

36 months on the lees in the tuffeau cellars (four times the appellation minimum of 9 months), followed by 6 months further maturation post-disgorgement.

Tags

cabernet franc chardonnay chenin blanc dry high acid medium body medium term mood elegant mood festive occasion aperitivo occasion celebration occasion dinner party old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with aperitif pairs with fruit desserts pairs with shellfish pairs with white fish price trade up sparkling traditional

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