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Bubbly Wine ClubAlbrecht-Brut-bottleLucien Albrecht
Crémant d’Alsace
Brut Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois
Alsace, France

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

Yellow pale color with nice brilliance and fine, delicate bubbles. An expressive nose of floral and fresh fruits including apple, peaches and apricots. Nice maturity and ripe fruit on the palate. A classic for every occasion, this Crémant Brut balances its freshness with finessed structure.

Varietal: Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois
Alcohol: 12.07% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 10 g/L
Acidity: 3.75 g/L

WINEMAKING:
Harvest begins earlier for Crémant d’Alsace than for the still wines in order to preserve acidity and freshness. The grapes are handpicked and are whole bunch pressed in two parts, the cuvée and the taille. Fermentation begins in temperature controlled stainless tanks. The wines are then bottled with their dosage for the second fermentation and placed on stainless racks. After the second fermentation in the bottle, the wine is aged on its lees a minimum of 12 months but up to 18 months, followed by riddling and disgorging.


Albrecht-Brut-Rose-bottleLucien Albrecht
Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé
Brut Rosé Pinot Noir
Alsace, France

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

This Crémant Rosé, made of 100% Pinot Noir, displays delicate strawberry and wild cherry fruit. In the glass, hints of pink reflections and salmon nuances are supported by elegant, fine bubbles. Delicate red fruit character on the palate is rounded with creamy texture, leading to a fresh, dry finish.

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 11.98% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 12 g/L
Acidity: 3.18 g/L

WINEMAKING:
Harvest begins earlier for Crémant d’Alsace than for the still wines in order to preserve acidity and freshness. Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir free-run juice. The whole clusters of hand-picked grapes are softly pressed in a pneumatic press. This brings out the light pink, salmon color. Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé is made by using the same methods as in Champagne, “méthode traditionnelle.” After the second fermentation in the bottle, the wine is aged on its lees a minimum of 12 months but up to 18 months, followed by riddling and disgorging

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Lucien Albrecht (pronounced Lu-Shen All-Bresht) is among the pioneers of viticulture in Alsace with a history that dates to 1698, when Balthazar Albrecht settled in Orschwihr, a small Alsatian village in an ideal location for vineyards. Since then eight generations have carried on a tradition of innovative and sustainable winemaking, inspired by the rich and varied terroir of Orschwihr.  A leader in the production of acclaimed Brut and Rosé Crémants, the winery was instrumental in securing AOC designation in 1976. Fresh, elegant and aromatic, each Lucien Albrecht wine is a tribute to the winery’s deep roots in Alsace.

Information & Photos © Lucien Albrecht – All Rights Reserved.


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Bubbly Wine ClubGustave_Lorentz_Cremant_dAlsace_Brut_Rose_Fact_new-format_JCGustave Lorentz
Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé
Alsace, France

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

The Cremant d’Alsace Rosé is made from Pinot Noir, which is full of charm and elegance. It makes a refined aperitif and an ideal cocktail or reception drink. Fresh and discreetly fruity, it inspires a host of gastronomic matches. This refined wine also works with hot and cold seafood appetizers, chicken, pork and other white meats & game, as well as some desserts. Serve chilled.

Analysis: 12.3% alcohol / volume
Varietals: 100% Pinot Noir
Total Acidity: 5.6 g/l
Residual Sugar: 7.8 g/l
Producer: Gustave Lorentz
Region: AOC Alsace
Country: France

WINEMAKING:
The grapes are carefully selected and vinified according to “Methode Champenoise.” After traditional fermentation “vin de base” in tanks, a second fermentation (“prise de mousse”) takes place in the cool cellars. It does not undergo malolactic fermentation. Aging is done “sur lie” between 14 and 18 months, with daily bottle rotation, going from a horizontal to vertical position, in order for the yeast deposit to accumulate in the neck of the bottle. At the time of “degorgement,” the neck is frozen and, enclosed in ice, the sediment is ejected by natural pressure, after which the bottle is corked and wired.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Founded in 1836, Maison Gustave Lorentz owned 33 hectares of land on the hillsides of Bergheim in the heart of the Alsace wine region, 12.8 hectares of which are classified Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim, and 1.75 hectares Grand Cru Kanzlerberg. The first mention of the Lorentz family in the commune of Ribeauvillé dates back to the end of the Thirty Years’ War in the second half of the 17th century. They were innkeepers or coopers as well as ‘gourmets’, the old name given to wine merchants, which afforded them an important status in the local community. In 1748, winegrower and blacksmith Jean-Georges Lorentz was the first to settle in Bergheim, which later became the heart of our domaine. His son, Pierre Lorentz, was married to the youngest daughter of the Mayor of the time (Nicolas Schmitt). Generations passed with the birth of Jacques Lorentz in 1798 and Charles Lorentz in 1836. This same year, Maison Lorentz was founded in the commune of Bergheim. Today, Georges Lorentz has the honor of managing the estate, seven generations later.
To learn more about Gustave Lorentz Winery and family, click here.

Gustave Lorentz Vineyard

© Photo by: Gustave Lorentz Winery


Alma 4 Alma 4
Blanc de Blanc
Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

Alma 4’s Blanc de Blanc Chardonnay is greenish yellow in color with slight tints of gold. It has persistent and delicate chains of small bubbles. The nose is quite shocking. It has strong flavors of fruits, such as fresh pear, as well as some citrus notes of mandarin peel and Kinoto. The fruit is balanced, the yeast is subtle, and the wood flavor is complex. On the mouth, it is creamy and fully. There is a harmony of sugar to acidity with an exotic fruit finish. It is long and complex. Intense and fresh. This sparkling wine is tasted with the 5 senses.

Analysis: 12.5% alcohol / volume
Varietals: 100% Chardonnay
Residual Sugar: 4.7 g/l
Acidity: 7.05 g/l
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Appellation:
Uco Valley
Vineyard: Sustainably farmed – 1200-1550 meters in elevation
Production:Traditional method (Champenoise) using direct pressing. Fermentation begins at 59-64.4ºF for 20 days. 15% of Chardonnay is fermented in French oak barrels. No malolactic fermentation. The second fermentation is in bottles between 57.2º F and 60.8º F.
Disgorgement:
Performed manually
Time on Yeasts: 40 months

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Alma Cuatro (or Alma 4) began in 1999 as an experimental sparkling wine-making project led by four young people from Mendoza, with a strong investigative spirit: Mauricio, Agustín, Marcela and Sebastián. With passion, perseverance, friendship and work, these four friends came together to create a line of sparkling wines made by second fermentation in the bottle — combining innovation with the avant-garde method.
Learn more about these four friends and owners here.

Alma 4 Friends

© Photo by Alma 4

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