DOPFF & IRION EXPANDS SPARKLING PORTFOLIO
Alsatian Estate Adds Crémant d’Alsace Brut Blanc de Blancs to its Selection
Château de Riquewihr Dopff & Irion, makers of premium wines in Alsace since 1945, welcomes a new wine to its U.S. portfolio: Crémant d’Alsace Brut Blanc de Blancs. Following the incredible success of the Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé, which is one of the brand’s best-selling wines, the company has recently launched the Blanc de Blancs to respond to the increasing demand of French sparkling wines among the American drinker.
“We were so pleased with the success of our Brut Rosé that we felt inspired to introduce another crémant to our selection,” commented Frédéric Raynaud, CEO of Dopff & Irion. “It’s a dry, elegant wine that stands up well next to premium Champagne, but is versatile enough to be at home on any table.”
The Dopff & Irion Crémant d’Alsace Brut Blanc de Blancs is made in the traditional method from a blend of 50% Pinot Blanc and 50% Pinot Auxerrois. The grapes are pressed whole and the base wine obtained is kept in tanks for approximately six months before it is bottled. Yeast is then added for the second fermentation which occurs in the bottle. The wines are kept on wooden laths for 12 to 15 months before disgorging. A highly lauded wine, the Brut Blanc de Blancs was just awarded a silver medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition where the brand took home a total of 11 awards for their wines.
Sparkling wine has been made in Alsace since the year 1900 when Julien Dopff, René’s brother, began applying the “champagne method” to his Alsatian wines. Today, the region is highly regarded for producing some of the most vibrant and elegant crémants in France. The Dopff & Irion Crémant d’Alsace Brut Blanc de Blancs is an ideal wine to be served as an aperitif. Fine and light bubbles with fruit aromas of green apple and lemon, the wine is well-balanced and perfectly dry with a round and elegant palate.
“The sparkling wine category is continuing to grow, and we don’t see that momentum slowing any time soon,” remarked John Caruso, Executive Vice President of Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., the brand’s importer. “Wine drinkers are curious about what else is out there beyond Champagne and Prosecco and they are turning to crémants such as the Dopff & Irion Crémant d’Alsace Brut Blanc de Blancs and Brut Rosé. These French sparkling wines are made of incredible quality using the traditional method, but more accessible for everyday consumption.”
Chateau de Riquewihr Dopff & Irion wines are imported by Dreyfus, Ashby & Co. in New York, NY. The Crémant d’Alsace Brut Blanc de Blancs NV has an SRP of $22.00 and is available for immediate delivery. For more information, visit http://www.dreyfusashby.com/dopff-irion/#cb.
ABOUT DOPFF & IRION
Château de Riquewihr Dopff & Irion was founded by René Dopff in 1945 in Riquewihr, Alsace. The company is based in the historic Château de Riquewihr built in 1549, having vineyard holdings of 32 hectares, 25% of which is designated as Grand Cru. The company also owns the Clos Château d’Isenbourg, a 4-hectare terrace vineyard completely surrounded by 7-foot high walls.
Dopff & Irion produces a range of Grands Crus, Châteaux wines, Alsace varietals, Vendanges Tardives and Crémants d’Alsace. Annual sales: 80,000 9L cases, 30% exports.
