SuperValu’s 2024 French Wine Sale runs from Thursday 5th to Wednesday 25th September. Among the wide arrange of wines on offer there are three wines from Alsace, including a Riesling and a Pinot Blanc from Marcel Hugg which I have yet to try. The star for me, though, is this Crémant d’Alsace from Arthur Metz.
Arthur Metz is one of the largest wine groups in Alsace and is widely available within the country – I’ve picked up many a bottle from the local supermarket when I’ve been holidaying in France. Like most negotiants, the focus is on value and variety, but there are occasional gems to be found among the stalwarts.
Crémant is a traditional method sparkling wine which accounts for close to a quarter of all wine produced in Alsace. It’s so popular in France that it takes second place in domestic sparkling wine sales behind the behemoth that is Champagne.
Ageing requirements for Crémant are more modest that those for Champagne but this 1904 Cuvée has a full 24 months ageing. The main variety is Pinot Blanc but there are also contributions from Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir (vinified white, or course).
Being a fully sparkling wine (no “frizzante” nonsense here) this has a proper cork and cage, and has a lovely, lively mousse after pouring. The nose has lemon sherbert and apple pie notes, from the grapes and the lees ageing respectively.
On the palate there’s an initial flavour of soft pear and apple, followed by fresh citrus, and finally juicy apricots. To get such a range of flavours in a modestly priced fizz is almost unheard of. Complexity!
The final proof of the pudding was the quarter glass that I came back to later in the evening after domestic duties had demanded my attention. Even close to room temperature and with much of the mousse having evaporated, this 1904 Cuvée still tasted great: the true sign of a great sparkler. Balance!
- ABV: 12.0%
- RS: Brut
- RRP: €25 down to €20
- Source: sample
- Stockists: SuperValu stores
Frankly Alsace 