It’s true! You can maintain your holiday sparkle with an affordable and delicious Cremant d’Alsace, an alternative to the beloved (yet more-than- your- budget- may- handle Champagne). As many of you already know, a sparkling wine can’t be deemed Champagne unless it’s from (drum roll, please…) the region in France known as… Champagne. I’m thrilled to share that I am tickled sparkly after enjoying two truly delicious wines sent to me as samples from the Alsace region considered the area producing the most sparkling wines second only to Champagne.
Like Champagne, the method traditionelle is used to make Cremant d’Alsace. After traditional fermentation in tanks, a second fermentation occurs in cool cellars. Wines must age at least nine months on the lees (sediment of dead yeast cells that gathers at the bottom of the tank once fermentation is completed) which yields a bready and nutty complexity. After disgorgement, an adjustment of the sugar level consisting of a mix of wine and sugar creates a sparkling wine which may be brut (very dry), sec (dry), or demi-sec (medium-dry). Cremant d’Alsace wines can be made from a blend of grape varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Auxerrois, or Chardonnay or from a single variety such as Pinot Noir to create Blanc de Noirs. The grapes for Cremant d’Alsace are hand harvested many days before grapes for other wines from Alsace and are bottled in the production area with the same bottle shape as those from Champagne. Cremant d’Alsace is intended to drink young in order to enjoy its delicate, light, refreshing aromas and tastes. It is a perfect aperitif, pairs well with appetizers, seafood, white meats, desserts…or frankly, with anything you would like!!
Shared with family and friends, these wines helped jump start the holiday season with the just-right amount of celebratory bubbles which I loved…and you will, too, I know!
**Willm Cremant D’Alsace Blanc de Noirs, NV – If you have not yet tasted a Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir), this is the one to try! Its golden color with a touch of pink, fine bubbles dancing their way to the top of the glass, and aromas and tastes of apples and grapes led to a long finish with a fresh, sparkly mouthfeel!! Elegant and worth a purchase for any gathering! Cost is $14.00.
**Gustave Lorentz Cremant d’Alsace Brut, NV – Another sparkling winner was this dry wine from 33% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Blanc, and 33% Pinot Noir. More bubbles, fresh aromas, and subtle tastes of citrus with the high acidity I love make this Cremant d’Alsace a wonderful choice for any occasion! Cost is $24.99.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
