Alsace – tucked
neatly away between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhin River, this region in France is producing some
beautiful examples of mostly white varietal wines that are simply delicious, with tons of character and excellent drinkability. It is not uncommon for even the smallest of
producers to make 6-8 wines a year given the amount of permitted grape
varieties for the area. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and
the famously fussy Pinot Noir are a few examples and by law, all are bottled in
the region of production.
When you
think about it, it’s remarkable how Alsace has managed to
succeed in making wine. Annexation, war,
phylloxera and oidium crises…it’s been owned back and forth between France and
Germany so many times… it’s nothing short of a tug-of-war game. Well, thanks to relentless and passionate winemakers,
who have been taking good care of their vines, it has become one of the most
exciting and interesting places in the world when it comes to wine production. Which brings me to one of the most delicious and graceful Crémant I have ever had....
My wine of the week is a beautiful sparkling from producer Bernhard & Reibel – a family run, organic winery in the heart of Alsace : Koenigsbourg. Since 2000, Winemaker Pierre Bernhard has continued the work from his mother Cecile, creating exciting wines that are terroir driven. In less than 5 km, they have a range of gravel, red granite, and limestone soil...quite a mixture of different plots in such a small area.
The vineyard
in which the grapes are grown extend over 23 hectares, where the soil is mainly acidic gravel and adapted to early ripeness. Consisting of a
blend of 80% chardonnay and 20% pinot noir, the grapes were hand-picked with the first fermentation created with natural yeasts. The yield for this particular blend was roughly 30% lower than what the appellation requires, which transcends into the wonderfully concentrated fruit in the wine.
The second fermentation in the bottle, is completed during the winter months where the temperatures are colder....creating a slower, colder fermentation process leading to the wine's complexity and fine bubbles. It was then aged 18 months on lees, contributing to its rich texture and round mouthfeel.
The second fermentation in the bottle, is completed during the winter months where the temperatures are colder....creating a slower, colder fermentation process leading to the wine's complexity and fine bubbles. It was then aged 18 months on lees, contributing to its rich texture and round mouthfeel.
Pale gold
on the glass with pretty persistent bubbles, the nose displays notes of candied
ginger, lemon-lime, with soupçon of cherry. The dry, medium bodied palate is layered with
flavours of lemon, ripe green pear, with amazing acidity and salty minerality. The
finish is textured, layered and ever so crisp. Drink now or within the next 2-3
years.
Wine: Bernhard & Reibel Crémant d’Alsace 2013
SAQ: 13133224
Price:
$25.75
Grapes:
Chardonnay , Pinot Noir
Alcohol:
12%
Agent:
Boire
www.domain-bernhard-reibel.fr
www.agenceboires.com
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