This week’s Wine Wednesday is about a wonderful Crémant D’Alsace. While most people who know me, think of me as an Italophile, the truth is long before I fell in love with Italy, I was a Francophile. I even majored in French in college and considered becoming a French professor so these virtual trips to France through French wines make me very happy. I am also in the process of studying for the French Wine Scholar exam. It is very challenging but also incredibly informative. I highly suggest it for those who want to do a deep dive into French wines.

Crémant D’Alsace is  made in the traditional method with secondary fermentation done in the bottle rather than in autoclave or tank. Many regions of France produce their own Crémant wines. In terms of price, these wines are all imminently affordable and they should be on everyone’s minds as a possible alternative to more expensive ones.

I received the one pictured above as a sample some months ago from Teuwen Communications. I received three bottles of Crémant at the same time and wisely decided to drink them separately. I had this one in late December to celebrate the holidays and it was greatly appreciated.  White fruits, floral notes, and great acidity made it sing in my mouth and pair with my favorite apertif foods. It was also very elegant and the perlage (bubbles) were fine and numerous – a sign of quality.  The grapes that go into Crémant d’Alsace  are picked early to retain good acidity and stylistically the wines are bright and fresh. A number of grapes can be used in the production of Crémant d’Alsace  including Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay. Crémant d’Alsace comes in  a brut or a rosé version.

I am truly becoming a big fan of all the Crémant wines that Alsace produces. This one from Domaine Mittnach Freres is brought in by Skurnik. It’s a blend of 60% Pinot Auxerrois, 10% Pinot Blanc, 10% Riesling, 10% Pinot Gris, and 10% Pinot Noir. White Cremant D’Alsace tends to be a blend but the rosés are made from Pinot Noir exclusively. The wine is made from old vines and is biodynamic.

Domaine Mittnacht is a family-run concern. and  was created in 1963. They have 23 hectares of vineyards in Hunawihr, Ribeauvillé and Mittelwihr. They were certified biodynamic in 1999 – among the first in Alsace.  Their winery includes some very old vines that are in the Grand Cru area of Rosacker. With an average Suggested Retail Price or SRP of $22, it’s a very good deal for a special celebration or a special night home that needs bubbles and lift – everyday as far as I am concerned.