It always feels really good to find something that is as good or better than the crème-de-la-crème for half the price. Champagne is an iconic wine, renowned for its bubbly, rich, complex flavours, its exclusivity, and its prices. Thankfully, the rest of France makes sparkling wine the same way, they just can’t use the name Champagne. This week’s wine is the Joseph Cattin Brut Cremant d’Alsace, a sparkler on par with many champagnes and it comes in at a fraction of the price. Definitely one of those as-good-as-the-real-thing-maybe-better wines.
Tasting Notes: The Cattin Cremant d’Alsace is a blend of two local grapes, Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois, but all you need to know is that they create a dry and fresh tasting wine. Aromas of green apple and white flowers and flavours of citrus and apple delivered along with delicate bubbles and a creamy mouthfeel.
Enjoy With: Shellfish and seafood-based dishes, amazing with apple pie, and a perfect aperitif for a dinner party with friends.
Style: A medium-bodied, fruity sparkling wine.
Terroir/Region: Alsace, France is known for long, warm autumns which allow the grapes growing there to take their time when ripening, creating balanced and delicious wines. Off-dry and sweet wines are local specialties in Alsace and are readily matched to rich local foods just as well as the dry and sparkling wines of Alsace pair with lighter fare. This is no secret to the wine community which is why Alsatian wines are poured in restaurants world-wide!
Producer: The Cattin family have been established in Alsace for 300 years and are masters of their craft. The family’s property touches all levels of the region giving them the ability to blend elements from throughout Alsace, creating dense flavours and great value, or to take from their most prized Grand Cru vineyards for complex, terroir driven wines showing off the attributes of a single plot through their winemaking talents.
Availability: The Cattin Cremant d’Alsace will be available in the Vintages section of your local LCBO, and for online ordering, on September 28th, but some stores may already have it on the shelf. Stock up now to carry you through the New Year!
Check LCBO store inventory
Price: $19.95
LCBO#: #281329
Size: 750mL
Alcohol Content: 12.0% alc./vol.
