Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé – Non Vintage
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Introduction
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Alsace has been celebrated for its lovely, dry white wines for centuries, but it has gained a reputation for enticing traditional method sparkling wines in recent years. In the heart of Alsace’s finest district, the Haut-Rhin, Maison Pierre Sparr follows a 300-year-old tradition of winemaking that began during the reign of King Louis XIV. The devotion to the land, the attention to the smallest detail and the uncompromising quest for excellence is in every bottle bearing the Sparr family crest.
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Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: Appellation Crémant d’Alsace Controlée (awarded the region in 1976)
- Location: Vosges hillsides and Rhine valley, elevation 200 to 400 meters (656 to 1,312 feet), primarily eastern and southern exposures
- Viticulture: No irrigation; trellis system; hand-harvested
- Size: 10 hectares (24.7acres)
- Vine Age: 23 years
- Soil: Granite, limestone, gneiss, chalky-clay
- Elevation: 200-400 meters (656-1,312 feet)
- Density: 4,000 vines per hectare (1,620 vines per acre)
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Vintage Report
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Dates for the beginning of harvest for each Alsace AOC are set by decree, generally 100 days after the median date of flowering, at the time when the grapes display the best sugar-to-acid ratio. Intended vineyards for sparkling wine must be declared in advance of harvest and must be picked by hand. Grapes destined for Crémant are generally picked a few days before those for still wines in Alsace.
- Harvest Date(s): mid-September
- Yields: 80 hl/ha (5.9 tons/acre)
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Vinification
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Whole-cluster pressing; first fermentation occurs in temperature controlled, stainless-steel vats, transforming the must into still wine. Six months later, wines from hillsides and valley floor are blended to achieve the distinctive flavor profile of the rosé. Blended wine is then bottled with a specific yeast added to relaunch the second fermentation in bottle. The wine rests on lees a minimum of 18 months prior to disgorgement. Finally, the dosage is added to provide the particular brut style of this sparkling wine.
- Filtration: Microfiltration
- Bottle Aging: 18 months aging on lees
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
- Alcohol: 12.5%
- TA: 7.5g/L
- RS: 13g/L
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Tasting Notes
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Salmon pink color; fresh aromas of soft red berries, predominantly strawberry and raspberry. On the palate, round and fruity with hints of peach; the flavors are intense, with lively acidity framed by a well-made structure and delicate bubbles. The finish is smooth, clean and dry.
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Images
Reviews
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Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé — Non Vintage – Wine Enthusiast – 93 Points
“This deep, coral-colored sparkling wine lets you know right up front that it is to be taken seriously. Apple-juice aromas mingle with hints of petrol, toffee and caramelized onion. Those savory notes develop further on the palate, with a rich, teriyaki-like flavor that's brightened up with apple and a hint of cranberry.”
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Pierre Sparr Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé – NV – The Tasting Panel – 91 Points
Crisp, juicy, bright cherry fruit, dry, tangy and long, a good value.
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Pierre Sparr Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé — NV – Wine Enthusiast – 90 Points
Yeasty mellowness is all that the shy nose gives away. The dark-pink hue of this wine promises body and fruit, which duly appear on the creamy palate. Mellow strawberry and apple pair with gentle freshness. A chalky texture supports the frothy foam while freshness highlights the dry roundness of the finish.
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Pierre Sparr Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé – NV – Wine Enthusiast – 89 Points
Tart, red fruit plays on the nose of this wine, reminiscent of redcurrant and sloe. The palate is brisk, frothy but creamy, and alive with these berry notions. This easy but refreshing wine finishes dry.