CHARACTERISTICS

TypeVino spumante dosaggio zero
Location Alsace

Grapes Pinot bianco 50%, Auxerrois 50%

Sensations Pale golden yellow in colour. The nose is elegant and complex. It offers a range of aromas, starting with floral notes of hawthorn and acacia, underscored by a fresh note of verbena. We also discover a delicate pear that completes this floral and fruity palette. The fine bubbles sparkle on the palate. The body is finely chiselled. We find fresh notes that develop into a very long finish.

Vinification The grapes are harvested early to ensure the freshness and elegance of the base wine. The whole bunches of grapes are pressed to limit the amount of juice, and only the juice obtained at low pressure is kept. The first fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The best base wines, suitable for this Extra Brut cuvée, are then blended and bottled with yeasts. The second fermentation takes place slowly in the cellars. The wines are then left to rest on the lees for at least 24 months, during which time they acquire volume and complexity. The bottles are then disgorged according to the traditional method. No liqueur d'expedition is added to the wines in order to preserve their dry and lively character. Second fermentation: 24 months minimum. Sugar residue: 0 grams

Alcoholic strength 12% vol

Allergens Contains sulphites

TASTING RECOMMENDATIONS

Tips Store in a cool place, away from light, with the bottle lying down. Refrigerate for a maximum of 24 hours before serving. Open and serve immediately.
Serving temperature 10 grades
GlassFlute / Franciacorta
When to drink it within 7 years
Pairing Aperitif, fish menu.

PRODUCTION NOTES

France
Prodotto da Dopff & Irion 1 cours du Château - Riquewihr (France)

"Zero Dosage" Crémant d'Alsace AOC Extra Brut

Zero Dosage is a statement of intent. It means that, after disgorging, not a single gram of dosage syrup has been added. This Crémant d'Alsace Extra Brut “Zero Dosage” from Dopff & Irion is, in essence, the pure essence of sparkling wine, with no tricks and no added sugars to mask its character. If you are looking for a ‘sharp’ and extremely dry sparkling wine, this is the wine for you. But let's proceed in order. Alsace, with its fairytale villages such as Riquewihr and its vineyards protected by the Vosges mountain range, is a unique wine-growing region. Here, the dry climate and significant temperature variations favour grapes with exceptional acidity. This is precisely the secret to a long-lived and elegant sparkling wine. An interesting fact: after the Second World War, the co-founder of the maison, René Dopff, was a pioneer in promoting the association between individual grape varieties and different terroirs, an approach that was revolutionary in Alsace at the time and which translates here into a sparkling wine with character and transparency. This cuvée is the result of the combination of two complementary white grape varieties, used in equal parts: Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois. The former provides the necessary acidic backbone and elegant structure, while the latter contributes greater softness, breadth on the palate and richer fruity aromas, sublimely balancing the extreme dryness of the zero dosage. The grapes are harvested early, by hand and whole, to maintain the high acidity and elegance of the base wine. After the first fermentation, only the free-run juice, i.e. that obtained at low pressure, is selected. This is followed by a long ageing process of at least 24 months in the cellar. This long contact - twice the minimum required by law - is essential to give the wine volume, creamy bubbles and the typical complex aromatic notes. In the glass, it is a clear pale golden yellow, enlivened by a fine and regular perlage. The nose is elegant and complex, while in the mouth, the very fine bubbles enliven the palate. Finally, the dryness is never aggressive, but translates into a crystalline purity that evolves into a very long, fresh and savoury finish. The absence of sugar makes it an incredible ally for cooking. Excellent with raw fish and seafood, sushi and sashimi, and mature hard cheeses.

If there is one place in Europe where the history of wine blends with fairytale architecture, it is Alsace. And it is here, in the medieval village of Riquewihr, that Dopff & Irion is located, an institution whose heritage dates back to the 16th century. A long history, made up of generations who have handed down the art of producing elegant and refined wines, but which found its official seal after the Second World War. The name Dopff & Irion comes from the union of two prominent families. There are two key figures. The first is Madame Jeanne Irion, one of the founders, who already at the time demonstrated that women had a central and authoritative role in viticulture. The second is René Dopff, an enlightened producer who, once he returned from the war, decided to join forces with the widow Irion. Their founding act was a symbolic and concrete gesture: the purchase of the historic Château de Riquewihr, built in 1549 and surrounded by green vineyards. This is not only the company's headquarters but the very embodiment of its philosophy: to honour Alsatian tradition by always focusing on the highest quality. René Dopff was a true pioneer in Alsace, focusing from the outset on the pursuit of quality at all costs, starting with a significant reduction in vineyard yields. He was also one of the first to indissolubly link the name of a grape variety to its specific terroir. This is no small choice: it means that every bottle of Dopff & Irion is a faithful portrait of the land from which it comes. Today, the company manages its vineyards with great respect for the environment, adopting practices that preserve soil fertility and limit impact. It is not just a matter of fashion: it is the commitment of those who know that a great wine can only come from healthy, vibrant soil.