Interview with Christophe Adam – Crémant "Qui chasse la Lune"

Interview with Christophe ADAM, OENOLOGIST

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WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO CREATE A HAUTE COUTURE VINTAGE?

The Crémant "Grand Prestige" is Bestheim's flagship wine, a cuvée that we first produced in 2000. Over the past 20 years, it has won many prestigious awards, which have greatly contributed to the reputation of our brand and that of the appellation. In all humility, we wanted to try to go even further.

This "capsule" cuvée that we are presenting to you today is a 2010 vintage, disgorged in 2015, which we had set aside in our cellar because its potential was very interesting from the outset. I have tasted it personally every year to follow its development and have noticed over time that its quality has increased and its palate has become more crystalline, enhancing the impact of the terroir. In short, this Crémant is increasingly resembling a product worthy of the greatest vintages.

At the end of 2020, we will be able to release just 1,141 bottles, the cream of the crop, which we have carefully dressed by hand, like a couturier who pays great attention to every detail.

crémant

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ITS TERROIR?

The grapes used to make this Crémant come from a place called "Strangenberg," a terroir located in the commune of Westhalten in the Noble Valley of Alsace wines. It is a high plateau, which is cooler than the hillsides, windier but above all very chalky. Pinot Blanc thrives here and produces racy, terroir-driven Crémants with a certain minerality.

ABOUT THE VINTAGE?

2010 was a very successful vintage for Crémants, with a beautiful tartaric acidity that allowed us to produce wines and Crémants for aging, which will blossom with time.

IS THIS THE FIRST TIME IN ALSACE THAT A CUVÉE HAS BEEN LEFT TO REST FOR SO LONG AFTER DISGORGING?

I believe so. This cuvée was disgorged in 2015 and rested for another five long years before we decided to release it at its peak.

IS THIS AN EXPERIMENTAL VINTAGE?

This is our Grand Prestige cuvée, but with much longer aging times. This cuvée is therefore experimental in terms of the time spent on slats, but not in terms of its initial production.

DO YOU PLAN TO REPEAT THIS EXPERIMENT BY DEVELOPING MORE CREMANTS OF THIS QUALITY? ARE YOU CONSIDERING REPEATING IT DEPENDING ON THE QUALITY OF THE VINTAGES?

Yes, because we are reaching a level of expertise and technical skill that allows us to bring out the best in this exceptional terroir. In addition, global warming is allowing grapes to ripen further in this cool climate. This allows us to try out new cuvées and new types of wine.

IS IT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN A CHAMPAGNE HOUSE THAT LED YOU TO DEVELOP THIS NEW CUVÉE?

My experience in Champagne has taught me that there is always room for improvement, for greater refinement and precision. It is therefore obvious that, as a major player in the Crémants d'Alsace appellation, we have a duty to extract the finest gems to offer consumers exceptional products, just like in Champagne, but reflecting the character of our beautiful Alsace region.

TELL US ABOUT ITS ORGANOLEPTIC QUALITIES

It is a Crémant built on a very crisp acidity, but softened by time. This allows it to accompany tertiary aromas such as smoky, creamy, and toasty notes, which are characteristic of sparkling wines that have been allowed to age. The whole is accompanied by a rich and creamy palate, balanced by a final touch of freshness.

WHY IS IT CALLED "WHO CHASES THE MOON, HARVESTS THE SUN"?

" Qui chasse la Lune, Récolte le Soleil " (He who chases the moon, reaps the sun) is the motto of the " Chasseurs de Lune " (Moon Chasers) ("Mondfangers" in Alsatian). This is the nickname given to the founders of the winery, a handful of men and women who, just after the Second World War, joined forces to build a winery together so as not to lose the year's harvest. At the time, it took a great deal of courage and solidarity to face these difficult times in Alsace.

That's why they were nicknamed the "Moon Hunters"! Driven by their desire for freedom and success, they always dreamed bigger and higher... Their dream? To reach for the moon, to go further and further, to continue creating the wines and crémants of Alsace of which they are so proud.

We wanted to give our cuvée a name that embodies the history of Bestheim and its values, and thus pay tribute to the founders who gave us the impetus that we strive to carry forward. This is the spirit of all those who have joined the winery and are now part of its project.

With this cuvée, "Qui chasse la Lune, Récolte le Soleil" (He who chases the moon, reaps the sun), the spirit of the "Chasseurs de Lune" lives on! The moon and the sun were there to bring about the miracle of the vineyard and offer you this most prestigious cuvée.