Crémant d'Alsace - the Alsatian Alternative to Champagne

History of Crémant d'Alsace - the Birth of an Appellation

Sparkling wine is not foreign to Alsace. As early as the 19th century, some Alsatian producers were making sparkling wines using artisan methods. But it was only in 1976 that the Crémant d'Alsace appellation was officially created. The success was immediate and spectacular - it became France's leading sparkling wine by volume outside Champagne and today represents around 25% of total Alsatian wine production.

The Traditional Method - the Secret of Quality

• Hand harvesting: mandatory for Crémant d'Alsace, guaranteeing the integrity of the grapes
• Gentle pressing: whole grapes are pressed delicately to extract only the finest free-run juice
• First fermentation: the must ferments in tank to produce a still base wine
• Bottle fermentation: a tirage liqueur is added, the bottle is sealed and the second fermentation creates the carbon dioxide for the bubbles
• Ageing on lees: bottles rest for at least 9 months, during which autolysis develops characteristic brioche and biscuit aromas
• Riddling and disgorgement: the lees are concentrated in the bottle neck and expelled. A dosage liqueur adjusts the final sugar level

The Grape Varieties of Crémant d'Alsace

• Pinot Blanc: the base grape par excellence, bringing freshness, lightness and pleasant apple and pear notes
• Auxerrois: rounder and richer than Pinot Blanc, adding body and richness
• Pinot Gris: adding structure and complexity with notes of riper fruit
• Pinot Noir: used for rosé Crémants and to add structure in white
• Riesling: in some premium blends for minerality and acidity
• Chardonnay: adding finesse and hazelnut notes

The Styles of Crémant d'Alsace

• Non-vintage Brut: the most common style, a blend of several vintages - fresh, fruity and lightly biscuity
• Vintage Brut: produced in the best years, offering more complexity with longer lees ageing
• Rosé: made from Pinot Noir, with a salmon to pale pink colour and fresh red fruit aromas - one of France's finest rosé sparkling wines
• Blanc de Noirs: from white-vinified Pinot Noir, with good structure
• Prestige cuvées: top-end cuvées with longer ageing that rival the finest Champagnes

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Crémant d'Alsace vs Champagne - the Differences

• Grape varieties: Champagne is dominated by Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Crémant d'Alsace mainly uses Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois - fruitier and less yeasty in youth
• Terroir: Alsatian terroirs impart mineral and fruity characters distinct from those of Champagne
• Price: Crémant d'Alsace is on average 2 to 3 times less expensive than a comparable entry-level Champagne

How to Choose and Serve Crémant d'Alsace

• Temperature: serve between 6 and 8°C in a flute or tulip glass
• Storage: drink a non-vintage Brut within 2-3 years; a vintage or prestige cuvée can keep 5-10 years
• Pairings: as an aperitif with cheese puffs; at table with oysters, seafood, salmon, foie gras, light poultry and fresh goat's cheese. Rosé Crémant pairs particularly well with red fruit desserts
• Producers to know: Dopff au Moulin, Wolfberger, Bestheim, Muré, Ginglinger, Barmès-Buecher

Crémant d'Alsace for Every Occasion

The versatility of Crémant d'Alsace is one of its greatest qualities. From a relaxed aperitif with friends to the most elaborate wedding feast, through Christmas and birthdays, it joyfully accompanies every celebration in life. Its freshness, lightness and festive character make it the wine of shared moments and collective joy.