Emile Beyer Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV

Certified organic since 2014, Emile Beyer’s Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV (92 Points – Wine Enthusiast) is pure pleasure. From the froth of its tiny bubbles until the last sip, Beyer’s Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV offers the eyes, nose, and palate a delightful interlude. Endowed with a creamy mousse and the savory scents and flavors of mountain grown apples and freshly baked brioche, it is hard to imagine a finer, more elegant wine, sparkling or still. Natural tasting and refreshingly dry straight through to the finish, Emile Beyer’s certified organic Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV (an all white grape blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Auxerrois) truly puts to shame the vast majority of sparkling wines, including Champagne, in flavor, purity, and drinking pleasure. Enjoy Emile Beyer’s Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV well chilled (38°-40° F). Santé!

: One needs nothing but a clean glass to enjoy Emile Beyer’s Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV; yet, this delicious Crémant also shines brightly at the table. It makes a splendid companion to appetizers such as smoked salmon with capers, cucumber, and cream cheese; prosciutto wrapped melon; duck confit; and stuffed mushrooms. Seafood, poultry, and ham make fine accompaniments, too. Sautéed Scallops and Salmon with fennel served with a light cream sauce provide exemplary pairings. Roast chicken, turkey, and game hens are equally fine. And for those who wish to make Emile Beyer’s Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV the center of attention, consider a plate of sliced apples and an array of fine cheeses: Muenster, Neufchâtel, and Port Salut to name a few. Bon Appétit!

The venerable Domaine Emile Beyer is a must stop on any visit to Alsace as Domaine Emile Beyer and nearly five centuries of Alsatian history and wine remain intertwined. Since the year 1580, at least 14 generations of the Beyer family have continuously lived in their ancestral home and cultivated vines in the picturesque medieval village of Eguisheim, unquestionably one of the greatest and prettiest wine communes in France, which not surprisingly has served as a fairy tale setting in numerous films and television programs. Each successive generation of Beyers, profoundly rooted in the vineyard and land, have in turn passed on their passion for wine to the next generation, and we the consumers are the beneficiaries. Moreover, since the coming of age of Christian Beyer, the domain’s present guardian, Beyer’s wines have ascended to the very highest level of quality.

Under the present leadership of the affable, hardworking Christian Beyer, the estate of Emile Beyer cultivates 17 hectares (37.5 acres) of prime vineyards in Eguisheim, including two grand cru sites, from which Beyer fashions exceptional wines. “Giving happiness, with elegant wines: this is what I take pride in doing,” Christian Beyer exclaims. It is his mantra, and by all accounts Beyer succeeds, year in and year out, almost in defiance of the vagaries of each vintage. From estate vineyards Beyer produces an enviable portfolio of wines, all certified organic, which includes an outstanding traditional method sparkling wine, Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV (this month’s feature). Exceptional Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Muscat, and Sylvaner also make their appearance. Moreover, Christian Beyer’s highly allocated Pinot Noirs put to shame many Burgundian Pinot Noirs. In short, there is much to taste and enjoy from the cellars at Emile Beyer.

Alsace is quite possibly the most picturesque wine region in all France. It is an enchanted land of beautifully restored half-timbered houses, flower bedecked balconies and window boxes, and of course vineyards. Alsace is bounded by the Vosges Mountains to the west, which block out the dreary maritime weather that plagues so much of the rest of northern France, and the Rhine River and Germany to the east. On account of its favored position and corresponding climate, Alsace is the sunniest province in northern France. This extra sunshine makes Alsace an ideal spot for the cultivation of the vine and the production of premium white wines, both still and sparkling, from Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer – the vast majority of which are made dry – and increasingly Crémant d’Alsace, the region’s superb traditional method sparkling wine. Excellent Pinot Noirs to rival those of Burgundy also flow from Alsace. The wines of Alsace are some of the greatest wines produced on the planet and its vineyards are increasingly cultivated organically and bio-dynamically.

Emile Beyer’s Crémant d’Alsace Brut NV is a dry Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine made in the Méthode Traditionnelle or Champagne Method. It is produced from organic grapes and, like Champagne, Emile Beyer’s Crémant is a wine that is under pressure. It should always be well chilled before opening. Always exercise caution when opening a bottle of sparkling wine. Point the bottle away from people and objects. Use a clean towel or cloth to firmly grip the bottle. Gently remove the wire stopper while firmly holding the cork in place. Then with thumb and forefinger, remove the cork slowly from the bottle. Do not let the cork fly. Enjoy!