Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation
Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together! In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more about me, I’ve included a brief bio following the post.
Pfaff Crémant Extra Brut “Zéro Dosage” NV
Crémant d’Alsace AOC
French Sparkling Wine
The Gull Liquor Store,
900 – 333 Brooksbank Ave, North Vancouver
$36.50
What’s Valentine’s Day without a little bubbly in your glass? Whether you’re spending the night with your partner, your bestie, or celebrating solo, there’s no better way to spend the evening than with a glass of something sparkling in your hand. If you love champagne but find the price a little taxing on the budget, Crémant d’Alsace offers an affordable alternative. The region produces high-quality, crisp, fruity sparkling wines made using the méthode traditionnelle. This is the same method used in Champagne, where bubbles are created by a second fermentation in the bottle — unlike Prosecco, which uses the Charmat (tank) method. Both styles are perfectly acceptable, but a wine made using the traditional method will have finer bubbles and more complexity.
The Pfaff Crémant Extra Brut “Zero Dosage” NV offers a fine example. Crafted from a blend of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois grown on the region’s clay and limestone soils, it incorporates base wines from multiple vintages to ensure a consistent house expression. A slow secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle, where the wine ages on its lees (dead yeast cells) for at least 18 months, giving the wine body and complexity. After disgorgement (removal of lees), no additional sugar is added to maintain the dry and lively character of the wine.
Pfaff Crémant Extra Brut “Zéro Dosage” NV shows a pale gold hue with fine, persistent bubbles. The bouquet is fresh and precise with aromas of golden apple, lemon peel, and ripe pear, lifted by a delicate hint of verbena. On the palate, zesty lemon peel and crisp pear are supported by a steely minerality that accentuates its ultra-dry style. The fine bubbles and vibrant acidity create a bright and zingy mouthfeel before settling gracefully into a clean, fruit-driven finish. This is a
crémant that is both refreshing and refined.
Crémant d’Alsace pairs well with seafood and raw bar items, such as oysters, ceviche, and sashimi. For a main course, try it with a creamy risotto or a light chicken dish. So, what are you waiting for? Pick up a bottle of Crémant d’Alsace this weekend and celebrate love in style.
Kim Mead is a Vancouver-based wine and food writer. She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the French Wine Scholar designation with Honours, and Italian Wine Essentials certification. She is currently pursuing the Bordeaux Master’s program with the Wine Scholar Guild. Kim serves as Cellar Master for the Vancouver chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Follow her @agalandaglass
Thanks for your exciting new column Kim Uncorked. I enjoyed your weekly wine recommendation feature with your clear insightful notes on an interesting good value product to try. Your sage advice is needed in our difficult Canadian wine marketplace. Please keep it up!