April Bubbly Club: Iowa

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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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

Information © Crémant d’Alsace – All Rights Reserved


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September Bubbly Club: Iowa

Bubbly Wine Clubroederer-estate-brut-multi-vintage-bottleRoederer Estate
Brut
Anderson Valley, California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

The Roederer Estate Brut is crisp and elegant with complex flavors of pear, spice and hazelnut and is fresh, yet has great depth. It is lightly fruity with great finesse.

Analysis: 12.5% alcohol / volume
Appellation: Anderson Valley
Varietals:
Approximately 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
pH: 3.1
Residual Sugar:
12 g/L
Aging: Aged a minimum of two years on the yeast
Awards:

  • 93 Points – Wine Enthusiast, December 1, 2020
  • 93 Points – The Wine Advocate, September 2020
  • 93 Points – Decanter, July 2020
  • 92 Points – Decanter, January 2020 
  • 92 Points, Smart Buy – Wine Spectator, August 31, 2019
  • 90 Points – Wine & Spirits, August 2019
  • 92 Points, Best Buy – Wine & Spirits, August 2018
  • 93 Points, #27 Top 100 Wines for 2018 – Wine Spectator, July 31, 2018

ABOUT ROEDERER ESTATE:
Founded in 1982, Roederer Estate is among a very few California sparkling wine houses that only sources estate-grown fruit and builds upon a centuries-old tradition of winemaking. Nestled in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley, the Estate’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean allows the grapes to mature slowly on the vine and develop full varietal character. Learn more about the Estate here.


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

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

The Crémant Rosé has nice pink reflections and salmon tones supported by an elegant effervescence. On the palate, there are notes of delicate red fruit that bring roundness and body together to make a complete wine.

Analysis: 11.98% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Residual Sugar:
9.8 g/L
Total Acidity: 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 Capacity: Enjoy it now or keep it up to 3 years
Serving Temperature: 44.6ºF-46.4ºF
Pairings: Excellent for festive occasions.
Awards:

  • Silver Vinalies Internationales 2020
  • 90 points – Wine Enthusiast 2020

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 was fallen in disuse. It was the recognition of the efforts made by several Alsatian winemakers, including the Maison Lucien Albrecht.” – Lucien Albrecht

ABOUT THE WINERY:
The Maison Lucien Albrecht’s origins can be traced back to 1698 when Balthazar Albrecht settled in Orschwihr, a small Alsatian village ideal for it’s 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.

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