Dopff & Irion Chateau Riquewihr
Cremant d'Alsace Extra Brut "Zero Dosage"
| Denomination | AOC Cremant d'Alsace |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.0% by volume |
| Area | Alsace (France) |
| Grape varieties | Auxerrois, Pinot Bianco |
| Aging | Maturation on the lees in the bottle (sur lattes) for at least 24 months; disgorgement without the addition of shipping liqueur/sugars (zero dosage) |
- Zero dosage Extra Brut: Dry sparkling wine with no residual sugars, featuring a fresh and mineral profile, 12% vol
- Traditional method: Second fermentation in the bottle with ageing on the lees for over 24 months
- Elegant aromas: Notes of hawthorn, acacia, verbena, pear, green apple, brioche and almond
- Fine perlage: Creamy and persistent bubbles, pale gold colour, very long finish
- At the table: Serve between 6 and 10 °C; ideal with oysters, sushi, shellfish and goat's cheese
Description
What kind of wine it is
Dopff & Irion Crémant d’Alsace Extra Brut Zero Dosage faithfully embodies the character of Crémant d’Alsace. Crafted from a blend of Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois and Chardonnay grapes, it stands out for its use of the Traditional Method. In the glass, it displays a pale gold hue, enlivened by a fine and persistent perlage. The aromatic profile is clear, with notes of hawthorn and acacia merging with hints of pear, green apple, citrus, brioche and almond. The absence of added sugars defines a taut palate, delivering a mineral freshness that culminates in a long, clean finish.
Where it comes from
This sparkling wine originates in Alsace, among the hills of Riquewihr and the esteemed Schoenenbourg terroir. The area is characterised by a cool climate, essential for preserving the natural acidic tension of the grapes. The soils, composed of a matrix of limestone, clay and sandstone, impart a clean and savoury flavour profile to the wine. In this unique context, the Dopff & Irion winery cultivates its vines aiming for the utmost expression of the mineral imprint typical of Alsatian lands, bestowing innate elegance and dynamism to the palate.
How it is produced
Production begins with an early harvest, essential for maintaining the vibrancy of the bunches. The whole grapes undergo gentle pressing to extract only the free-run juice. After the first fermentation in stainless steel at controlled temperature, the base wines are blended for the secondary fermentation in bottle according to the Traditional Method. Ageing continues on the lees for at least 24 months, enriching the wine with structure and evolved nuances. Disgorgement without the addition of dosage syrup, in true zero dosage style, ultimately delivers a dry, linear and highly pure palate.
History and Curiosities
With roots dating back to the 17th century, the Dopff & Irion winery is among the pioneers of Crémant d’Alsace. Refounded in 1945, the company combines modern viticulture with centuries-old expertise. This sparkling wine is produced using the traditional method and matures on the lees for at least 24 months. The final zero dosage ensures a dry and pure sip, an excellence also celebrated by the magazine Wine Enthusiast.
Tasting notes
Perlage
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
06 - 08 °C
Longevity:
05 - 10 years
At the end of the war, two of the biggest names in viticulture in Riquewihr, René Dopff and the widow Irion, joined forces to found Dopff & Irion. One of their first decisions was to acquire Riquewihr's historic chateau. René Dopff was an emblematic and prestigious wine producer who, for several decades, had a huge influence on the vineyards of Alsace by putting the emphasis on quality (by reducing yields, for example) and modernising the labels. He was, above all, the first to associate a particular grape variety with a terroir and with specific soils Read more
| Name | Dopff & Irion Cremant d'Alsace Extra Brut Zero Dosage |
|---|---|
| Type | White classic method sparkling wine extra brut |
| Denomination | Alsace AOC |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.0% by volume |
| Grape varieties | Auxerrois, Pinot Bianco |
| Country | France |
| Region | Alsace |
| Vendor | Dopff & Irion Chateau Riquewihr |
| Story | History and Curiosities With roots dating back to the 17th century, the Dopff & Irion winery is among the pioneers of Crémant d’Alsace. Refounded in 1945, the company combines modern viticulture with centuries-old expertise. This sparkling wine is produced using the traditional method and matures on the lees for at least 24 months. The final zero dosage ensures a dry and pure sip, an excellence also celebrated by the magazine Wine Enthusiast. |
| Origin | Alsace, among the hillside vineyards of Riquewihr |
| Climate | Cool climate |
| Soil composition | Limestone, clay and sandstone |
| Fermentation | At least 24 months |
| Production technique | Traditional method (classic method) with second fermentation in the bottle; zero dosage |
| Wine making | Early harvest; gentle pressing of whole bunches with retention of only the free-run juice at low pressure; first fermentation in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature; blending of base wines; second fermentation in bottle according to the Traditional Method; ageing on the lees for at least 24 months (sur lattes); disgorgement without the addition of shipping liqueur/sugars (zero dosage). |
| Aging | Maturation on the lees in the bottle (sur lattes) for at least 24 months; disgorgement without the addition of shipping liqueur/sugars (zero dosage) |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |