April Bubbly Club Iowa

Bubbly Wine ClubCremant-dAlsace-Lucien-Albrecht-Brut-WE_eLucien Albrecht
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Orschwihr, France

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

This Crémant presents a yellow pale disk with nice brilliance with fine & delicate bubbles and a regular mousse persistence. The nose reveals lots of floral & expressive aromas of fresh fruits (apple, peaches & apricots). On the palate, it develops a fruity lively feel, nice maturity & flavors of ripe fruit. 

Analysis: 12.07% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 8.6 g/L
TA: 3.75 g/L
Vinification: 100% hand harvested, extended and soft pressed, 6-8 weeks controlled fermentation in stainless steel, then laid on racks for a minimum of 12 months.
Aging Potential: Enjoy it now or keep it up to 3 years
Serving Recommendation: Serve at 44.6-46.4ºF.
Food Pairing: Classic for every occasion
Awards:

  • Gold Medal Vinalies Internationales 2020
  • 91 pts. Wine Enthusiast 2020
  • 91 pts. Editor’s Choice Wine Enthusiast (Nov. 1, 2018)
  • #71 Top 100 Wines of 2018

VINTAGE:
Very mild temperatures in mid-April encouraged rapid budding and very strong vine growth. Mild and sunny flowering period produced grapes of a nice size – a good omen for the harvest conditions. An exceptionally sunny and hot summer followed. This vintage is characterized by structure and fullness and retained an astonishing freshness despite the hot August days.


Cremant-dAlsace-Lucien-Albrecht-Brut-Rose_eLucien Albrecht
Crémant d’Alsace Rosé Brut
Orschwihr, France

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

This Crémant Rosé, made of 100% Pinot Noir, combines roundness and body into one. In the glass, there are hints of pink reflections and salmon nuances supported by elegant effervescence. Delicate red fruit character on the palate completes this wine.

Analysis: 11.98% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 9.8 g/L
TA: 3.18 g/L
Vinification: 100% hand harvested, extended and soft pressed, 6-8 weeks controlled fermentation in stainless steel, then laid on racks for a minimum of 12 months.
Aging Potential: Enjoy it now or up to 3 years.
Serving Recommendation: Serve at 44.6-46.4ºF.
Food Pairing: This sparkling wine is an invitation to festive occasions
Awards:

  • Silver Vinalies Internationales 2020
  • 90 pts. Wine Enthusiast 2020

VINTAGE:
Very mild temperatures in mid-April encouraged rapid budding and very strong vine growth. Mild and sunny flowering period produced grapes of a nice size – a good omen for the harvest conditions. An exceptionally sunny and hot summer followed. The wines of this vintage are characterized by structure and fullness and retained an astonishing freshness despite the hot August days.

ABOUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE APPELLATION D’ORIGINE CONTRÔLÉE:
Crémant d’Alsace Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée was created in 1976 to distinguish the wines obtained by the sparkling champagne method. The term “crémant” comes from Champagne, where it had fallen out of use. It was used in the recognition of the efforts made by several Alsatian winemakers, including the Maison Lucien Albrecht.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
The vineyards are mainly situated in Orschwihr, a wine-growing village in southern Alsace. From 728, Orschwihr was known under the name of Otalesvilare. From the 13th to 16th centuries, the village and its surroundings were controlled by nobility: the bishops of Strasbourg, Basel and Hapsburg in particular. Even in this era, there were strong ties to the vineyards and land as a precious asset to be cherished and glorified.

Map of Orschwihr, FranceThe Maison Lucien Albrecht’s origins can be traced back to 1698 when Balthazar Albrecht settled in Orschwihr, a small Alsatian village ideal for its growing conditions. Eight generations later, the family continues to work in these same unique terroirs creating world renowned wines. Passed down from father to son, each generation has adapted its wine-growing and wine-making methods gradually to get the very best out of the terroir, while still producing authentic wines, characteristic to Alsace. Learn more about the family history here.

Vineyards at Lucien Albrecht

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January Bubbly Club

Bubbly Wine ClubAntech Brut NatureAntech
Blanquette de Limoux Brut Nature
Limoux, France

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

“Our Brut Nature wines are made with “zero dosage”, which means that no “expedition liqueur” (sugar) has been added to the bottle. They respect and reveal the purest expression of our painstakingly selected grapes and our blends — berries, linden tree flowers, crisp green apple, anise, etc. — depending on the cuvées.” – Antech

This wine has not received any dosage and thus it expresses the purity and liveliness of the wine. With a crystalline yellow color and golden highlights, the fineness of the bubbles are delightful. The intense nose offers delicate aromas of hawthorn and a pretty fresh mouth of citrus aromas with a very harmonious finish, where the wine can express itself. Taste it as an aperitif or along with the meal. Serve chilled (45-47°F).

Analysis: 12% alcohol / volume
Varietals: 90% Mauzac, 5% Chenin, 5% Chardonnay
Vinification: Traditional Method, exclusively handpicked harvest. Direct pressing of the grapes and selected musts are set for a first fermentation in inox vat under controlled temperature. Finally, blending and a second fermentation are completed in capped bottles on lattes for around 18th months in air conditioned cellars.
Critical Acclaim: 90 points from Decanter

VINEYARD:
This wine is grown with an oceanic influence in a Mediterranean climate on hillsides and terraces with gently sloping clay-limestone soil. On average, the vine age is about 20 to 40 years old and yields less than 50 hectares. For over five centuries, Antech has tamed this magical terroir to make fine sparkling wines. The secret of their character lies in the wise combination of Limoux’s three terroirs, which form the backbone of their cuvées: freshness from the Pyrenees, vinousness from the ocean and roundness from the Mediterranean. Limoux is a lovely little Languedoc town in the heart of Cathar country.  Learn more about their vineyards here.
ABOUT THE WINERY:

Family owned and independent for 6 generations, the Antech Estate dedicates itself to the elaboration of sparkling wines in Limoux, legendary sparkling wine area. Forerunner in the regional anchoring and the revival of the traditions, the Antech Estate distinguishes itself by a distinctive style, from the elegance of its bubbles to the commitment of its action.

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CollectionDomaine Charles Baur
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Eguisheim, Alsace, France

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

Crémant is a style of sparkling wine from France, with strict regulations that govern the production methods. Alsace, as a Crémant producing region, dates back to the 19th century and typically have fine mousse (bubbles).

This Crémant, or Brut sparkling white wine, offers a complex nose of apples, pears, white flowers, and a touch of melon. On the palate, this sparkler is fresh, delicate, well-balanced, and provides a fantastic mouthfeel. It pairs nicely with seafood, oysters, and desserts, but can also be enjoyed on its own any time.

Analysis: 12.5% alcohol / volume
Varietals: 80% Pinot Blanc, 20% Chardonnay
Appellation: AOC Crémant d’Alsace
Harvest Method:
Manuel harvest with sorting
Vinification:
Pneumatic pressing of whole grapes with selection of juices. Prize de Mousse in bottles at low temperature. Stored, then disgorged.
Critical Acclaim:
92 points Wine Enthusiast 

VINEYARD:
The vines are located in Eguisheim and the surrounding area. Predominately clay-limestone, the slopes of Eguisheim have weak to steep slopes. Protected by the Vosges, rainfall is low, which promotes maturation and limits disease. To learn more about Domaine Charles Baur’s Vineyard, click here.

Alsace wines Charles Baur Eguisheim_ Crémant d'Alsace Brut

Photo by Domaine Charles Baur

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Located in Eguisheim, in the heart of the Alsatian vineyard, the Charles Baur family cultivates vines located on the slopes of Eguisheim and its immediate surroundings. Their beautiful wine heritage is made up of several plots located on the Grands Crus Brand, Eichberg and Pfersigberg. With the aim of producing great Alsace wines, they seek moderate yields and harvest and sort all of their production by hand. In order to ensure a high level of quality every year, they exclusively produce wines with their own harvest grapes. The Charles Baur Winery develops the entire range of Alsace wines, a very wide range of Grands Crus and several Crémants d’Alsace.

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