Cremant d'Alsace

The shelf with our the best values in sparkling wines was looking a little threadbare so we brought in a case of Pierre Sparr Alsatian Cremant.  Cremant is the term for Champagne quality sparkling wines made outside of the Champagne district.  In our store we stock these directly under the Champagnes.  We're not deliberately trying to trade people down pricewise from Champagne because that wouldn't make sense economically; we just like the contrast. 

On that shelf we regularly stock Cremants from Limoux, Burgundy, Loire and Alsace along with premium wines from outside of France that we feel warrant consumer attention.  A case could be made for the quality of each wine on the shelf but for us, Alsace is personal.  We love Alsatian white wines and all Alsatian Cremants are made from white grapes except the roses which are 100% Pinot Noir.

The white grapes of Alsatian Cremant include Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Gris.  Pinot Blanc is the prolific workhorse grape of Alsace so it's not surprising that it is widely used in Cremant.  Auxerrois is Pinot Blanc's counterpart in Cremant and elsewhere in Alsatian white blends and on occasion can be used interchangeably with Pinot Blanc.  Both types are citrussy in flavors but Auxerrois is richer with a musky aroma.  Chardonnay adds structure to the blend and Riesling and Pinot Gris add minerality floral aromas.

It's summertime now so if any of this sounds good to you, stop in and create an occasion for some bubbly.  Pick up a bottle of still white Alsatian wine while you're here too.  We've got a lot of summer yet ahead of us.