Every wine lover knows that Burgundy isn’t just a place on the map — it’s a vivid and living expression of history, terroir and gastronomy. And there’s no better way to celebrate that than by joining a truly unique festival that fuses ancient folk tradition with the region’s modern pride: La Fête du Crémant et Tape-Chaudrons in Châtillon-sur-Seine. This event — a Crémant Festival held each year on the third Saturday of March — brings together sparkling wines, vibrant costumes, local food and a community spirit that any Burgundy enthusiast will adore.
Do you want to:
- Join in live tastings of Crémant de Bourgogne wines and meet the passionate folk who make them?
- Come face to face with a living tradition tying ancient rites to modern wine culture?
- Dive into mouth-watering regional gastronomy, pairing your favourite wines with some of the best food on earth?
- Explore scenic vineyards and all the surrounding attractions Burgundy has to offer?
Yes? Then read on!
A Celebration That Bridges Past and Present
At first glance, La Fête du Crémant et Tape-Chaudrons may seem like a quirky local carnival — and it is! But its roots run deep. The Tape-Chaudrons tradition stretches back more than 1,500 years, when villagers donned costumes and marched through streets banging on pots and pans to “chase away winter” and welcome spring. Today’s festival keeps that playful spirit alive with a colourful parade of floats and hundreds of enthusiastic participants making joyful noise in the old town of Châtillon-sur-Seine.
Since the mid-1990s, this tradition has been paired with a wine celebration putting Crémant de Bourgogne firmly in the spotlight. Viticulturists from across the Pays Châtillonnais gather to pour their best wines, sell tasting packs, and share stories of the vineyards, terroir and techniques that make Burgundy’s sparkling wine so rewarding to explore.
Why Burgundy Wine Fans Will Love This Crémant festival
For fans of Burgundy wine, this Crémant Festival is more than just bubbly and fun — it’s a chance to dive into the heart of one of Burgundy’s most dynamic expressions in wine.
Discover Crémant de Bourgogne
Crémant de Bourgogne is the AOC sparkling wine of Burgundy, celebrated for its fine bubbles and traditional method of production (the same technique used in Champagne). It’s made predominantly from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which give it both finesse and structure, and can come in blanc, rosé, blanc de blancs and blanc de noirs styles. These effervescent wines are versatile — perfect for aperitifs, meals and celebration alike.
The Best Cremant Wines at burgundywine.com
But if you can’t make it, you don’t have to attend the Crémant Festival to try the best Crémant wines – find them on our burgudywine.com shop!
- Domaine Borgeot Cremant de Bourgogne: Don’t call it Champagne — that way lies trouble… But this Borgeot Crémant de Bourgogne is made using exactly the same traditional method as those far pricier wines that are allowed to carry the Champagne name. When it’s well crafted, Crémant is pure pleasure: a bottle that suits almost any moment. It’s also produced on a far more human scale than the countless millions of bottles churned out by our neighbours to the north — and that alone is reason enough to raise a glass.
- Louis Picamelot Cremant de Bourgogne – En-Chazot NV: This historic 1.25-hectare site, once home to Gallo-Roman structures, overlooks the village of Saint-Aubin. This is Louis’s take on Blanc de Noirs (white wine from red grapes) and it’s remarkably pure. Subtle and complex, it strikes a fine balance between elegance and vinosity. This Crémant de Bourgogne is produced from a single vineyard parcel, planted exclusively with Pinot Noir, situated on the elevated slopes above Saint-Aubin in the Côte de Beaune. Grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness and transported in small, perforated crates to preserve the integrity of the berries, minimise oxidation and ensure precise juice separation. Extraction is carried out using a pneumatic press, retaining only the first pressings — the cœur de cuvée. From 150 kg of grapes, just 70 litres of base wine are obtained.
- Louis Picamelot Cremant de Bourgogne – Rose: This Crémant Rosé is irresistibly expressive, with alluring, gently sweet aromas that immediately draw you in. Lively and energetic, it unfolds with a fine, persistent stream of bubbles. The pink color is both soft and vivid, rounded yet refreshingly brisk. Lifted by the finesse of its mousse, the wine reveals notes of wild strawberry and a charming, generous texture. Perfect as an aperitif, it also pairs beautifully with summer barbecues and fruit-based desserts. Produced as a Crémant de Bourgogne from grapes sourced in the Côte Chalonnaise and the Côte de Beaune, this wine is made exclusively from Pinot Noir, harvested entirely by hand.
Every March, at the festival’s Village des Crémants, producers from the 23 AOC-classified communes of the Route du Crémant open their stands for tastings that are both educational and delightful. For a Burgundy fanatic, that’s the equivalent of a pilgrimage.
Meet the People Behind the Wines
It’s not often that you get to meet and speak to the people who make your favorite wines… but that happens here, where producers are on hand to chat and answer your questions. For wine lovers, these conversations often become as memorable as the wines themselves.
Expand Your Burgundy Palate
Crémant is undoubtedly the star of this festival – but it’s not the only attraction. The Crémant Festival is situated between the famous Route des Grands Crus of the Côte-d’Or and the Champagne region, so you’re perfectly placed to discover these other modern wonders of the wine world. Wine and food in Burgundy aren’t just complementary — they’re inseparable.
Classic Burgundian Cuisine
Burgundy is known as the ‘stomach of France’ – and for good reason. You won’t find a more rich and soulful cuisine anywhere in Europe, and certainly not one with such a following. Whether it’s snails in garlic butter, coq au vin made with the famous Bresse chicken, rich Epoisses cheese just made to be paired with Burgundy wine, you’ll feel the echoes of the past living on in the vibrant present-day Burgundy food scene.
These gastronomic staples echo centuries of tradition and are often featured in the local food offerings throughout the festival and in nearby restaurants.
Festival Flavours
At the Crémant Festival itself, you’ll find a lively array of stands offering both local specialities and fun fair-style delights — from fresh crêpes and waffles to saucissons (dry-cured sausage-shaped charcuterie) and farmhouse pasta. There’s even a 100% Côte-d’Or restaurant under a heated marquee for those wanting a sit-down meal amidst the festivities.
This gastronomic mix mirrors the broader Burgundian dining culture, where refined cuisine and simple pleasures sit side-by-side — much like a perfect glass of Burgundy paired with a humble yet satisfying dish.
The Complete Burgundy Experience
Whether you’re sampling a bottle of Crémant in the warm Burgundy sun, chatting with a local winemaker about their way of life in this beguiling part of the world, or taking your time over a plate of charcuterie, La Fête du Crémant et Tape-Chaudrons captures the energy and soul of Burgundy. It’s an unmissable experience for devoted wine lovers and inquisitive travellers alike, and one we heartily recommend here at burgundywine.com.
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