Cremant d'Alsace Extra Brut Rieffel 2022

The Cremant d’Alsace Extra Brut from the artisan producer Lucas Rieffel is a Classic Method with a balanced and fine personality that has little to envy from the more renowned Champagnes. It is a blend of Auxerrois Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Riesling Renano, grape varieties traditionally grown in Alsace. In particular, Auxerrois Blanc, also known as Pinot Auxerrois, is the result of a natural cross between Gouais Blanc and Pinot, the same genetic combination that gave rise to Chardonnay. Auxerrois provides a full body and low acidity, compensated in this blend by the presence of Riesling Renano, which instead offers freshness and verticality.

Rieffel Cremant d’Alsace Extra Brut is made from a blend of Auxerrois Blanc (45%), Pinot Gris (30%), and Riesling Renano (25%), varieties grown under organic and biodynamic regimes on limestone-rich soils. After manual harvesting and gentle pressing, the must ferments in third and fourth passage barriques thanks to the sole intervention of indigenous yeasts. At the end of the fermentation process and after a short resting period, the sparkling base is placed in the bottle for the second fermentation according to the Classic Method, with about 30 months of aging on the lees. Followed by degorgement and dosage Extra Brut.

The Cremant d’Alsace Rieffel Extra Brut is straw yellow in color with fine and numerous effervescence. The nose offers hints of yellow apple, broom, and jasmine, combined with notes of lemon peel, pastry, and petrichor. A soft and intense sip, very savory and refreshing, with fine but present bubbles that enhance the aromatic vein on the finish. An exceptional versatile Cremant in food-wine pairing as it can successfully accompany appetizers and first courses of both sea and land.