92 Point Rated - JustWinePoints.com

90 Point Rated - The Tasting Panel 

"This traditional-method blend of Colombard, Ugni Blanc, and Chardonnay provides plenty of polish for the price. Aromas of lime and pear-apple crisp converge with hints of hazelnut skin and wet stone before appearing with lemon curd on the airily creamy palate, where a slight suggestion of green olive gives the finish a surprise twist."

The Wine Odyssey 

“Made in the Champagne’s traditional method without the Champagne price. Produced from white grapes (the meaning of blanc de blancs) grown in the Jura—the region bordering Switzerland and named for the Jura Mountains—Montand’s sparkling wine delivers a pear scent and flavor that’s carried on bubbles as soft as the price. Ideal for an aperitif.”

Wine Spectator 

"Lovely pear, quince and ginger flavors cruise along, with a racy-edged mousse. A lingering hint of walnut adds range and contrast on the finish. Drink now."

The Drunken Cyclist 

“A blend of mainly Colombard, Ugni Blanc & Chardonnay. Although not indicated anywhere on the label, the fruit for this wine comes from the East of France, including areas in the Jura region. Bright and lemony on the nose and very pale in the glass. Dry and mineral on the palate. A solid effort from a well-respected producer whose family hails from Champagne. Very Good.”

Cosmopolitan Magazine 

“So, yeah, it's literally gold-colored, my friends! After all your hard work this year, you deserve to treat yourself to a bottle fit for a queen and aromas of FRESH BAKED bread and apples.”

Daily Herald 

“A sommelier might peg the creamy palate, fine bubbles and an aroma hinting at fresh baked bread as Real McCoy Champagne and, yes, it's the costly Methode Traditionelle production technique. But vineyards outside Champagne's prime real estate, and great-value grapes Colombard and Ugni Blanc added to Chardonnay, give this elegant sparkler an everyday price. Enjoy with a mixer or without, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and beyond.”

PG Rated 

“The search for an affordable and accessible sparkling wine easily leads to the nonvintage Francois Montand Brut Blanc de Blancs, a Methode Traditionelle production from the Jura region of France. It has a citrus accent and a floral aroma, with a hint of sweet apple. Try it as an aperitif or with light seafood dishes.”

Sante 

“Light on the bubbles, but with crisp finishing acidity.”

LÓccasion 

“Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Chardonnay. This blend from a Jura producer is outside of the traditional Jura crémant blend and some of the fruit comes from Gascony, but it is made in the traditional method. What an exceptional value.”

The Somm Journal 

“With his roots in Champagne, François Montand moved to the Jura in the 1940s and became one of the pioneers of traditional method sparkling Jura wines; he was largely responsible for the creation of the Crémant du Jura AOC. A blend of Chardonnay from the Jura and Colombard and Ugni Blanc sourced from Gascony in Southwest France (thus not labeled as Crémant du Jura), this sparkling evokes red apple, juicy lemon and Wonder Bread.”

Bigger Than Your Head

“The reason for the ambivalence in the title of today’s post is because, while this sparkling wine is made in France’s Jura region, it is fashioned from grapes not traditional or officially recognized in the area, hence, no mention of Jura on the label. In any case, if you’re looking for a bargain-priced sparkler produced in the methode traditionelle of second fermentation in the bottle, this is it. The Francois Montand Brut Blanc de Blancs nv would be perfect for your New Year’s Eve party or your blackeyed peas-greens-cornbread open house on January 1. It’s an unusual blend of colombard, ugni blanc and chardonnay grapes (“among others,” says the estate’s website coyly), aged nine months on the lees. The color is pale gold with faint green undertones; the bubbles are generous and lively. Aromas of hay and heather, roasted lemon and green apple are twined with notes of jasmine, lime peel and grapefruit. This sparkling wine is crisp and round on the palate, adeptly fitted with elements of steel and limestone — like architecture — quite dry and chiseled in structure. 11 percent alcohol. Don’t look for great depth or profound character here; rather the effect is of charm, elegance and simple pleasure. Winemaker was Arnaud van der Voorde. Very Good+. Terrific Value.”

Kansas City Star

“Another bargain sparkler, this one from France, Francois Montand’s Blanc de Blancs is a unique blend of Colombard, Ugni Blanc, and Chardonnay grapes. It’s creamy, smooth and tart at the same time, a difficult combination to pull off. Leaner than the Prosecco, this lovely sparkler still has the depth to feel right at home with your holiday turkey and all the trimmings.”

The Daily Meal 

“Full on the palate with some stone fruit flavors and good minerality.”

Paste 

“In the “French knowhow without the Champagne fancy-neighborhood price” category, this white blend (mostly Colombard, Chardonnay and Ugni Blanc, also known as Trebbiano) hails from the Jura region and is made in the traditional method. Pale gold wine with greenish reflexes; delicate perlage. Intensely perfumed white-flower nose (jasmine, citrus blossom, maybe honeysuckle) gives way to a beautifully balanced “yellow” heart (yellow apple, lemon, brioche). Creamy mouthfeel, pleasant, lingering finish, great structure. A lovely aperitif but feel free to pair it with just about anything.”

Best Wines Under $20 

“The Montand story is an outstanding one. François grew up on his family’s Champagne vineyards but fled Champagne for Jura during the German occupation in World War II. He took only five vines with him to replant vineyards in his new home and continue the family tradition of sparkling wine production using the same methods his family had. The wines that come out of his Jura winery are incredibly well made and ridiculously affordable. This Brut sparkling wine is classical and clocking in at $11 marks one of the most ridiculous bargains on the wine planet. Aromas of white flowers and honey, flavors of baked bread, chamomile and ripe stone fruit. An incredible bargain.”