The Meyer family has been growing grapes and making wines in Blienschwiller, Alsace – an ancient town built around an old Roman villa on the historic road of Piedmont des Vosges – since at least 1722. The domaine is named for Hubert, who took over for his father in 1976 and was the first in the family to sell bottled wines from their holdings. More recently, Hubert gave control of his domaine over to his son, Pierre, back in 2009. 

Like most Alsatian producers, their focus is on still wines, including a Grand Cru riesling from the revered Winzenberg vineyard. They make everything from pinot gris, riesling, pinot blanc, and gewurztraminer, alongside their two sparklings – a rose of pinot noir, and this Blanc de Blancs made entirely from pinot blanc. 

The Cremant d’Alsace is hand-harvested, from vineyard plots that have recently achieved biodynamic certification in 2019. The grapes are crushed and separated from the skins, where they then undergo fermentation in neutral vessels. From there, aging on the lees for a full 20 months before disgorgement and a Brut level dosage of just 6 grams per liter. The resulting beauty is pale golden, with a lively and steady mousse, and an elegant perlage of tiny, concentrated bubbles. The aromas open nutty, floral, and crisp, with sensations of toasted almonds, star jasmine, honeysuckle, and nectarine. The mouthfeel is perfectly dry, and mineral – with iron ore accents interspersed amongst a panoply of marzipan, baked pears, golden apples, nectarines, raspberries, and grilled pineapple. It’s amazingly complex for a wine of this price, and a worthy bottle to serve as both an aperitif and an accompaniment to heartier fare. You’re gonna want some of this for your wine shelf, and at least two in your fridge to start.It will be the gift that keeps on giving, I promise. And you won’t regret it for an instant!