Domaine Bernhard Crémant d'Alsace Brut Réserve NV

From one of the most picturesque, absolute bucket-list-material wine destinations… Alsace is an all-time favorite here at Last Bubbles. And, it so happens that Cremant d'Alsace is the second most consumed sparkling wine in all of France, after Champagne, of course. Accounting for nearly 25% of Alsace’s total wine production, with many of the same rigid production standards as Champagne, this is a region to explore for all lovers of finely tuned bubbly.

Frederick Bernhard is the ninth-generation winemaker who has been farming 27 acres of prime land that has been in the family for over 200 years. This gem of a Cremant offers so much sparkling personality and quaffing pleasure that you should make sure to have a case on hand at all times. It is a scrumptious blend of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Blanc, 25% Riesling, all organically grown, with a light 6 grams per liter dosage.

The wine opens jubilantly with lemon balm, spearmint, and sage, followed by a rich complement of buttered toast. In the mouth, sweet and tart fruits toggle back and forth, with juicy pineapple, tart pomelo, Meyer lemon, red cherries, key lime, and some plump nectarines. Spice notes accent the bountiful fruit – with bits of clove, mace, and even a sort of allspice dram, giving this a deeply warming sensation. A bright and fresh acidity keeps this lingering into a long, focused finish that is both pleasing and intriguing in equal measure – and all at an utterly fantastic price! Until we get back there for real, this beauty serves up all the breathtaking feels for an unbelievable price!