I toured the wine-making villages of Alsace in the heart of winter, and among the clear and crystalline wines of this historic region there was no shortage of Crémant. However, my visit to Domaine Schoffit showed me what Crémant d'Alsace can truly be, not merely as a price-friendly Champagne alternative, but as a world-class sparkling wine that can come only from Alsace. Schoffit's cremant was far and away the best, and it was clear they take it seriously. They opt for a precise blend of purely Alsatian varietals to ensure it has a true sense of place. The bottles are aged 33 months on the lees, which is far longer than many other producers I visited. This is an excellent example of what traditional method sparkling from Alsace can be, and why it's become so popular in recent years. - Tyler

Pairing: Smoked trout, Tart Flambée

Grape: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois 

Soil: Alluvial

Viticulture: Biodynamic, Organic