Michel Nartz "Cui Cui" Cremant d'Alsace, Alsace, France NV

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THE WINE: A blend of Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling. Hand harvest. A pneumatic press gently extracts the juice but none of the bitterness from the seeds and stems. Primary fermentation in stainless steel at controlled temperatures. Secondary fermentation is done using the traditional (Champagne) method with a long slow fermentation to build up effervescence in the bottle for a minimum of 12 months. The bottles are then disgorged and receive a small 5–6 gram per liter dosage.

THE PRODUCER: Michel Nartz is a family winery established in the picturesque and medieval village of Dambach-la-Ville. Family roots in the town date back to 1688. The family possess 50 organically farmed hectares divided into multiple small parcels all around the village of Dambach-la-Ville, but also in in the nearby villages of Scherwiller and Châtenois. They are very proud to have vineyards located in the heart of the Grand Cru Frankstein, one of the 51 Grand Crus in Alsace which has a particular granitic soil that gives an intense minerality to the wine. The hallmark of Alsace wine is its diversity of soil and these family vineyard encompass the range of variety that exists in the region. This winery story is a beautiful blend of wine growing families, all joined by marriage. Originally founded by Jean-Charles Ruhlmann and Michel Nartz, the legacy continued with Jean-Victeur Schutz, hence Ruhlmann-Schutz. The Ruhlmann-Schutz and Nartz families are now on its third generation: 4 grandchildren all in their 20s and 30s. Committed to sustainability, they have converted to solar, have systems and processes in place to reuse water and recycle as much as possible, and vineyards are in conversion to organic. They hold the highest level Certification Haute Valeur Environmentale, which is further evidence of their dedication to a holistic approaching to reducing their environmental impact.