Welcome to Friday, Artisans.
The next boat finally showed up!
The numbers don't lie — this has been our best selling under $20 sparkling wine each year, for all 13 years we've been in business. This absolutely delicious and addicting dry sparkling is the best quality you will find in this category, ESPECIALLY in the last several years with the rising prices of literally everything worldwide.
This is satisfying for even the most discerning palates (those that drink Champagne exclusively) thanks to being made in the same method and acceptably dry with enough minerality and acidity. Domaine Allimant Laugner's classy NV Brut Rosé Cremant d'Alsace has been the #1 choice for our savvy connoisseur's weddings and other special events.
This producer is located in northeastern France in the Alsace region. With the famous Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle overlooking the vineyards of Domaine Allimant Laugner, the estate encompasses 30 acres spread over 35 different parcels along the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. The domaine was created by joining the Allimant and Laugner families, who have produced wine in the village of Orschwiller since the 18th century. Today, it is run by 11th-generation winemaker Nicolas Laugner. All of their wines are marked by freshness and racy acidity, thanks to the winery's 100% use of stainless steel tanks for vinification.
What is Cremant? Cremant - whether from Alsace or Bourgogne, Limoux or the Loire - is the go-to alternative to Champagne, which can often be a bit too demanding on the palate and the pocket book, especially on a weeknight when you just want to kick back. Made from grapes local to the various regions, cremant celebrates its region's personality in a distinctly festive way. Alsatian cremant is the best known and perhaps best loved because it offers a combination of complex flavors and undeniable value.
The Allimant-Laugner harkens from Alsace, a region that once belonged to Germany and produces mostly white wines. Ironically, this sparkler is made from 100% Pinot Noir (the reason it's a rosé), which is grown in miniscule amounts, but used frequently in Alsatian cremant. It not only gives the wine its soft salmon color, but also its fresh, slightly tart strawberry flavor. Add to that an intentional dryness (thus the term "brut" on the bottle), which keeps the wine from becoming cloying.
With lots of wild cherries, raspberries and strawberries, this is wonderfully food-friendly and will be ideal as an aperitif or to complement your dinner table. Even beyond Spring and Summer: this is the perfect Fall and Winter Holiday wine as well. Grab a few cases to be set!
Cheers,
—James Tran
