Sunday, July 19, 2020
The Sparr family has been winemaking for more than 300 years, beginning in 1680 during the reign of King Louis XIV. Over the years, the family's passion for viticulture and winemaking was passed on from generation to generation. In more times, Charles Sparr developed the business further by focusing on activities in trade and wine ageing. His son, Pierre Sparr, took succession of the property in the early 1900s at the tender young age of 20 and became a pioneer of estate bottling in Alsace.
Maison Pierre Sparr Successeurs, as it is official known, is based in the heart of Alsace's most famous vineyard - Sigolsheim - in an area that was destroyed by WWII, and Pierre rebuilt the winery to become one of Alsace's most beautiful and prestigious Domaines. Today, the 9th generation of the Sparr family aims to continue the family's tradition, passion and emotion for wine. They produce wines using grapes from their own 15 hectares of vines, as well as 130 hectares sourced from experienced winegrowers.
The portfolio of Pierre Sparr consists of mostly white wines, some dessert wines, and a few Cremant sparkling wines such as the two reviewed below. Crémant is a sparkling wine made in the Traditional Method by using the same techniques used to produce Champagne - but are made outside of the famous region.
Tasting Notes:
PIERRE SPARR RÉSERVE BRUT CRÉMANT D'ALSACE - Traditional method, AC, Alsace, France (#388603) (D) - $18.95A blend of 80% Pinot Blanc and 20% Pinot Auxerrois grown on limestone, granite, chalky-clay, and gneiss soils that spent 12-16 months on the lees prior to disgorgement. The medium+ intensity nose has bready, yeasty, and autolytic aromas mingling with lemon citrus and floral. It's light-to-medium bodied on the palate with bready, yeasty, lemon citrus, and pear characters supported by fine mousse and balanced acidity. Essential dry overall with hints of mineral, honey, and nut carrying through to the fresh finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Coming to LCBO VINTAGES . Score: 88+ pts
PIERRE SPARR BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT D'ALSACE - Traditional method, AC, Alsace, France (#39016) (D) - $19.95
100% Pinot Noir grown on limestone, granite, chalky-clay, and gneiss soils. Soft nose featuring tart red berry, citrus, and leesy characters. The medium-bodied palate is slightly frothy with gentle acids and a dry flavour profile of red berry, citrus, and bready flavours with a touch of herbal bitter notes. Good length on the dry, slightly bitter finish. Released in LCBO VINTAGES . Score: 87 pts
Other wines from Pierre Sparr can be ordered via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.
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