Yuletide Sparkling Wine Sidebar, Two: Ackerman Crémant de Loire

The date on the label of the Ackerman Cuvee 1811 Blanc Brut, Crémant de Loire, refers to the year the estate was founded in the commune of Saumur, birthplace, as it happens, of Coco Chanel (1883-1971) and Fanny Ardant (b. 1949). Made in the traditional or Champagne method of second fermentation in the bottle, this irresistible sparkling wine is a blend …