The Alsace region of France is known throughout the world for its lovely, dry white wines. Vineyards were first planted in this narrow valley during the height of the Roman Empire. In the heart of Alsace's finest district, the Haut-Rhin, Maison Pierre Sparr Successeurs follows a tradition of winemaking that began during the reign of King Louis XIV. Since the winery's founding in 1680, the Sparr family has passed along its passion for Alsatian vineyards and winemaking from one generation to the next. Their drive for perfection can be seen in the family's devotion to the land, their attention to each vine-growing and winemaking detail, and their uncompromising quest for excellence in every bottle bearing the Sparr family crest. History of the Winery: Jean Sparr, who founded the Sparr winery in 1680, was born in the Alsace village of Sigolsheim. Over the next 300 years, nine successive generations of the Sparr family have worked the land, maintaining and expanding their estate. When Pierre Sparr took over the winery in the early 1900s at the age of 20, his innate business sense made him one of the pioneers in estate bottling in Alsace. His motto was "invest, progress and maintain" -- a motto that continues to describe the domaine that is named in his honor, "Maison Pierre Sparr Successeurs." Pierre Sparr lived through World War II in Alsace and witnessed the destruction of his village of Sigolsheim and its surrounding vineyards. With undaunted determination, he rebuilt the family's domaine, which had always been one of the region's most beautiful. His sons, René and Charles, enlarged and replanted the estate's vineyards and expanded trade with European markets and abroad. Today Maison Pierre Sparr owns 15 hectares (37 acres) of vineyards in the heart of Alsace, at Sigolsheim; and it sources fruit from another 150 hectares (370 acres) of vineyards owned by growers who share their philosophy and with whom they have long-term contracts. There are seven major grape varieties produced in Alsace: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Muscat and Sylvaner. Maison Pierre Sparr has planted vineyards with each of the major varieties, plus Pinot Auxerrois, which is blended with Pinot Blanc in their Crémant d'Alsace Brut Réserve. Excellence without Compromise: For the Sparr winery, meticulous care of the vineyards is of paramount importance. Their philosophy is that "the quality of a fine wine already exists in the grape." In other words, the quality of a wine is determined in the vineyard -- by viticulture and especially by the soil. For many years Maison Pierre Sparr has researched the different factors that contribute to the personality and originality of each parcel of its land. In 1996 a procedure was put in place that assures the precise choice of grapes to produce the finest cuvées. Further steps in the vineyards -- avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides, limiting yields, harvesting by hand – give full expression to the individual terroir found in each of its wines. "Excellence without compromise" is the winery's motto, and the Sparr quest for excellence is never-ending.
Tasting Panel 92 Soft petrol nose; crisp, dry, juicy and peachy, bright and lively with tangy peach fruit and racy style; ripe and fresh, tangy and
18eFrance » Cremant d'Alsace
Tasting Panel 91 Light salmon pink color; round and fresh with tangy strawberry fruit, all Pinot Noir and smooth and charming; ripe, creamy and lively, balanced,
This Pinot Gris is yellow-gold. Alluring aromas of juicy apricots and peaches are prominent with subtle undertones of minerals. On the palate it has elegant
10103bFrance » Cremant d'Alsace
Wine Enthusiast 90 A floral note of summer blossom accompanies fresh notes of green and yellow apple on this wine's nose. The palate adds creaminess, presenting
Tasting Panel 90 Smooth, creamy and lush with dense texture and rich off-dry style; deep and juicy with rounded flavors, long and deep, balanced and generous.
Wine Enthusiast 89 A whiff of passion fruit lends a tropical twist to the nose on this wine. The palate presents a juicy combination of peach,
Tasting Panel 91 Lush, creamy, deep and juicy, dense and rich with ripe and sweet flavors of honey and spice; neat, smooth and balanced, deep and
This pale yellow Riesling has green reflections. The wine opens with fresh and alluring aromas of citrus and peach. Upon aeration, notes of cherry blossoms
2017 TASTING NOTES: Featuring bright golden highlights, this wine offers an exuberant aromatic palette of exotic fruits (lychee, passion fruit, pineapple, mango, apricot), flowers (rose,
100% Riesling This pale yellow Riesling has green reflections. The wine opens with fresh and alluring aromas of lemon, grapefruit and peach. Upon aeration, notes of
Wine & Spirits 92 “This wine’s rose scent might remind you of spring; it’s charming in its spicy intensity, tight and yet continually giving. The pale
This pale yellow Riesling has green reflections. The wine opens with fresh and alluring aromas of lemon, grapefruit and peach. Upon aeration, notes of sweet
Featuring bright yellow highlights, this wine offers an exuberant aromatic palette of exotic fruits (lychee, passion fruit, pineapple, mango, apricot), flowers (rose, acacia), citrus (orange peel)
The Planet Grape Wine Review 90 "Bold, fruity and slightly. Sweet with notes of pink grapefruit, canned pear, lychee and pink rose." Catherine Fallis, November 14,
Bright yellow highlights in the glass; the 2013 Gewurztraminer opens slowly with notes of rosewood, licorice and a hint of ivy. With aeration, floral and
"Bright yellow highlights in the glass; the 2012 Gewurztraminer opens slowly with notes of rosewood and licorice. With aeration, floral acacia combines with fruity apricot
"Gleaming golden yellow, this Pinot Gris presents earthy aromas of autumn leaves and ripe grapes on the nose. With some aeration, notes of juicy apricots
"Bright yellow highlights in the glass; the 2011 Gewurztraminer opens slowly with notes of rosewood and licorice. With aeration, floral acacia combines with fruity apricot
"Soft yellow with green reflections in the glass; aromas of farmer’s pears, sweet mountain hay and lemon peel, followed by delicate fruit, coriander and minerals.
"Bright yellow highlights in the glass; the 2011 Gewurztraminer opens slowly with notes of rosewood and licorice. With aeration, floral acacia combines with fruity apricot
"Bright yellow with opulent aromas of rosewood orange peel, followed with licorice and oriental aromas. Full body with a touch of minerality and delicate acidity."
"An easygoing, thirst-quenching wine which reveals pear, lemon, melon, and a hint of minerals. Concentrated, dry, with a fresh citric acidity which balances all the
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