Pierre Sparr Rosé, Crémant d'Alsace Brut, Alsace, France NV

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.

• Winemaker: Corinne Perez
• Farming: Sustainable (HVE3 Certified)
• Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• Terroir: Grapes are hand harvested from the Vosges hillsides and Rhine valley, elevation 200 to 400 meters (656 to 1,312 feet), primarily eastern and southern exposures. 23 year old vines planted in granite, limestone, gneiss, and chalky-clay soils.
• Vinification: 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. 
• Aging: The wine rests on lees a minimum of 18 months prior to disgorgement.
• Tasting Note: 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.