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Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Kuentz-BasA reliable source of crisp, aromatic everyday whites, world-class dry Rieslings, mesmerizing late-harvest wines, and an emerging region for serious Pinot Noir…can Alsace do it all? We certainly think so. Moreover, let us not forget one more specialty from this wonderland in northeast France: Alsace also excels in delicious, reasonably priced traditional-method sparkling wine.
Consider this Crémant d’Alsace from the historic Kuentz-Bas house in the picturesque hillside village of Husseren-les-Châteaux. Made from Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois—a blend you will only ever find in Alsace—it exudes a real sense of place that is discernible through its unique aromatics. Then there is Alsace’s cool climate, which is surprisingly dry and sunny thanks to the rain shadow effect from the Vosges Mountains. The grapes are able to ripen fully, but retain a mouthwatering acidity—a balance that makes it easy to gulp down a glass purely to slake one’s thirst.
A dignified bottle of bubbles like this is certainly suitable for special occasions, and would beautifully complement the most refined cuisine. There is a rich, toasty complexity from lees aging, which highlights the delicate aromas you’ll find in your glass: honey, nectarine, citrus, and summer flowers. But at the end of the day, it’s simply a great sparkler that needs no excuse to be uncorked. You can most definitely count on Alsace for that.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | sparkling |
Vintage: | NV |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Auxerrois |
Appellation: | Alsace |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Kuentz-Bas |
Winemaker: | Olivier Raffin |
Vineyard: | 25 - 45 years, .2 ha |
Soil: | Loess, Silt, Limestone |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 12% |
More from this Producer or Region
2019 Muscat Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
France | Alsace
Kuentz-Bas vinifies a glorious dry Muscat from grand cru Pfersigberg, an ample and fleshy white scented of ripe citrus, tropical flowers, and exotic fruits.
2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
France | Alsace
Though we’re firmly in Alsace here, it would be a fun nod to pair it with bœuf bourguignon on a cozy fall eve.
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
France | Alsace
This mouthwatering and impeccably balanced Riesling is a testament to the majestic heights Alsace’s grands crus can reach.
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
France | Alsace
It’s a perfect palate cleanser with refreshing notes of lime granita and tart pineapple.
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
France | Alsace
You’ll want to pair this with a roast chicken or duck, or grilled sausages, when you are in the mood to forego a red with the main course.
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
France | Alsace
Pfersig means “peach,” and the wine’s subtle whispers of white peach are adorable, and then the bouquet keeps growing more expansive, more intense, grander.
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
France | Alsace
Power, intensity, and complexity combine to bring us a Riesling for the ages.
2021 Riesling
France | Alsace
Bone-dry on the palate, it features intense, clean aromas with excellent minerality.
2018 Pinot Blanc Vieilles Vignes “Trois Châteaux”
France | Alsace
This unique old-vine bottling from Kuentz-Bas is pure Pinot Auxerrois and boasts honey and orange blossom on the nose for days.
2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg “Wibtal”
France | Alsace
The brilliance of this site is its ability to produce sumptuously rich and perfumed Pinot Gris that maintains a vibrant acidity and stony backbone.
About The Producer
Kuentz-Bas
More than two hundred years of tradition and vineyard pedigree have made the wines of Kuentz-Bas perennial favorites. However, when the family sold the property to famed vigneron Jean-Baptiste Adam in 2004, many wondered what direction the new team would take. Adam, like the estates former owners, has a reputation for being an advocate of Alsatian terroir, and he is the fourteenth generation to continue a family winemaking tradition that began as early as 1614. The wines are more open than ever while still reflecting the unmistakable character of the vineyards that clients have come to expect from Kuentz-Bas.
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
2021 Riesling “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Chasselas
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Blanc
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Riesling “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Muscat Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2023 Vin Orange “The New Chapter”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Riesling “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Chasselas
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Blanc
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Riesling “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Muscat Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2023 Vin Orange “The New Chapter”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
If you're looking for value, look where no one else is looking.
Inspiring Thirst, page 211