Joseph Cattin Crémant d’Alsace Brut NV Alsace, France 75cl

The Cattin family has been growing wine at Voegtlinshoffen in Alsace for three centuries, and today Joseph Cattin is one of the largest family-owned estates in the region. Cremant d’Alsace is something of a house speciality, and few producers make more of it, with a long tradition and modern cellars behind every bottle.

This Cremant is made by the traditional method, the same process used in Champagne, with a second fermentation in bottle to create the bubbles. It blends Pinot Blanc and Pinot Auxerrois, two grapes well suited to fresh, delicate sparkling wine, grown on the varied soils around the village.

As a non-vintage brut, it is blended for a consistent house style year to year rather than to reflect a single harvest, then aged on the lees to build a little gentle complexity before release. Brut means it is finished dry, with only a touch of sweetness to round off the crisp acidity.

Expect a fine, lively mousse and fresh aromas of green apple, pear and white flowers, with a subtle bready note underneath. The palate is crisp and dry, light and refreshing, with a gentle orchard-fruit character and a clean finish. Serve well chilled, in a flute or tulip glass to keep the bubbles fine and steady.

Cremant d’Alsace offers much of the pleasure of Champagne at a friendlier price, and coming from a house that treats it as a speciality, this is a reliably well-made example. Pour it as an aperitif, with light starters, smoked fish or canapes, or whenever a celebration calls for bubbles without the big price tag.