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Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Meyer-FonnéCrémant d’Alsace is often thought of as a bargain alternative to Champagne, and for good reason: at just $25, Meyer-Fonné’s Crémant can satisfy even the most finicky palates. And yet, it would be a mistake to think of this simply as a substitute for a pricier bottle of bubbly—Alsatian sparkling is much more than that, and here’s why:
- Soil: unlike Champagne, where chalk reigns, Alsace is home to a diversity of soil types, each of which lends different characteristics to the wines. Félix Meyer sources his Crémant from primarily granitic soils with alluvial deposits, so while you won’t find that almost gritty chalkiness that characterizes Champagne, you can expect a slightly softer, almost spicy minerality that is just as mouth-watering.
- Climate: Alsace is drier and sunnier than Champagne, thanks to the rain shadow effect from the Vosges. This means healthier grapes and consistent ripeness, so no need for chaptalization in lean years or high dosages to balance out aggressive acidities.
- Grape varieties: the region boasts a palette of cépages that bring an extra aromatic element to its wines. Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir are responsible for this Crémant’s perfume of flowers and crisp orchard fruit—a real charmer.
- Winemaking and élevage: while also crafted in the méthode champenoise, Meyer’s Crémant spends just one year on its lees prior to disgorgement, much less than is commonly practiced in Champagne. Instead of creamy, leesy brioche notes, you can enjoy the lively fresh fruit nuances of a younger wine.
Meyer’s bone-dry Crémant is no Champagne imitation—it is an entity of its own, and you can bet we’ll be sipping it all summer long.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | sparkling |
Vintage: | NV |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 60% Pinot Auxerrois, 20% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Blanc, 5% Pinot Noir |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Meyer-Fonné |
Vineyard: | 1 ha, Planted in 1972 and 2009 |
Soil: | Granitic Colluvium, Alluvium |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 12% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Gewurztraminer Réserve
France | Alsace
The incredibly complex aromas soar out of the glass with an underpinning note of rose petal, the full-bodied and almost oily texture is classic.
2020 Syrah “Le Samson”
France | Alsace
Take this opportunity to snap up a few bottles of this truly singular Syrah.
2021 Pinot Noir “Altenbourg”
France | Alsace
This is a rich, ample, seductive Pinot with notes of tea leaves, strawberries, and blackberries.
2022 Pinot Gris “Réserve”
France | Alsace
From the exceedingly fine and elegant nose to the creamy and lacy texture, the overall balance and touch, and its hint of salty freshness, this wine shows how understated, finessed, and downright glorious dry Pinot Gris can be in Alsace.
2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
France | Alsace
One of the gems of the Meyer portfolio.
2022 Muscat “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
France | Alsace
Serve it to friends as an apéritif and listen for wows, because this wine’s perfume provokes wows.
2021 Riesling “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
France | Alsace
This Riesling “Katz,” as we call it, is a beautifully linear and chiseled style of Riesling, fresh and pure.
2021 Edelzwicker
France | Alsace
Meyer-Fonné’s 2021 has a floral, perfumed nose—perhaps from a splash of Muscat?—and a soft mid-palate with green apple and pear—surely a sign of Pinot Blanc in there.
2022 Pinot Noir “Réserve”
France | Alsace
Wearing a distinctive terroir stamp of Alsace: deep, spicy, resinous, and reminiscent of a walk in the forest after a rain.
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
France | Alsace
Power, intensity, and complexity combine to bring us a Riesling for the ages.
About The Producer
Meyer-Fonné
About The Region
Alsace
Tragically, Alsace might be the most misunderstood wine region of France. In spite of its long history of viticulture and tremendous diversity of pedigreed terroirs, a past fraught with marketing mishaps has left consumers baffled as to what exactly to expect inside one of these mysterious tall, thin bottles.
The good news, on the other hand, is that a new wave of quality-oriented growers is working hard to put Alsace in its rightful place as one of the world’s most fascinating sources of fine white wine. By embracing tradition, respecting terroir, and making a concerted effort to better communicate the countless virtues their wines have to offer, they have succeeded in putting Alsace back on the map.
Crafted from a number of grape varieties and beautifully interpreting the region’s mosaic of soil types, our Alsace imports are by and large dry whites offering exceptional versatility at table. While each of these selections is ready to be uncorked tonight, the finest among them are also capable of maturing for many, many years in a cool cellar. Expect kaleidoscopic aromatics, lively acidities, and loads of terroir transparency in these skillfully crafted masterpieces. Enjoy a foray into the thrilling world of the world’s most underrated wine region, and certainly do not hesitate to contact our sales staff with any questions as you take off on this mouth-watering adventure.
More from Alsace or France
2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Blanc “Vieilles Vignes”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2017 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2017 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Gewurztraminer “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2022 Muscat “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Blanc “Vieilles Vignes”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2017 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2017 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Gewurztraminer “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2022 Muscat “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171