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Crémant Rosé: method explained by our winemaker
Crémant d'Alsace rosé has the charm of red fruits and the lightness of fine bubbles. From the Pinot Noir grape to the bottle, we follow its journey: traditional production methods, styles for every occasion, combinations that make the aperitif and the meal sing, the right service to bring out its best, and, at the end of the road, the place to find it.
Not to be confused with Rosé d'Alsace, a still wine without effervescence—which has other uses and pairings than Crémant d'Alsace Rosé.
Crémants d'Alsace are the jewels in our crown: whites for their purity, rosés for their red fruit flavors. Among the best Crémants d'Alsace, our rosés, made from selected parcels and produced in Westhalten, express the finesse of Pinot Noir. Not to be confused with Rosé d'Alsace, a still wine without effervescence: Crémant d'Alsace Rosé is a sparkling wine made using traditional methods (fine bubbles, controlled dosage) designed for aperitifs and meals, while still rosé offers other balances and pairings.
Want to see how a rosé crémant is made, step by step? Watch the episode of EXTRA BRUT with Nicolas Rieffel: the "Chasseurs de Lune" answer all your questions simply and clearly.
At Bestheim, the orchestra of bubbles is conducted by our oenology and cellar team. Curious and precise, they create the blends, monitor the ageing on slats and push each cuvée to its point of balance. High-end projects focused on the Strangenberg terroir and ambitious aging times reflect this commitment to excellence, ensuring the most authentic expression of Crémant d'Alsace.
How Crémant d'Alsace rosé is made
In Alsace, Crémant d'Alsace rosé is an AOC sparkling wine made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes. The color does not come from blending with red wine, but from a short maceration process: the crushed berries remain in contact with their skins for a few hours, just long enough to obtain a delicate color and aromas of red fruits (strawberry, raspberry, redcurrant). Our cuvées are made from selected parcels of precisely defined areas, then produced at our Westhalten production site.
The grapes are harvested by hand to preserve the bunches. This harvesting method is a mandatory criterion for the production of a Crémant d'Alsace with the AOC appellation. In the cellar, the whole bunches are gently pressed to preserve the finesse of the juice. A first fermentation in vats produces a clean, straightforward base wine that is faithful to the Alsace vineyard.
Next comes the traditional method: the liqueur de tirage is added, the wine is bottled, and then the second fermentation (prise de mousse) naturally creates the bubbles. The bottles rest on racks for several months; this time refines the texture, adds body and creates a silkier mousse.
When the aging is considered optimal, the bottles are riddled to slide the deposit into the neck, then disgorged to expel it.
When tasting a Crémant d'Alsace, the rosé offers a distinct red fruit flavor, a freshness typical of Alsace, and fine bubbles. Served at 7–9°C in a tulip glass, it brightens up the aperitif and finds its place at the table with ease.
What styles of Crémant d'Alsace Rosé are available at Bestheim?
Two expressions of the same grape variety, Pinot Noir: two complementary uses.
Crémant Brut Rosé: Our signature rosé. A short maceration for a bright color, a nose of red fruits (strawberry, raspberry), a straightforward palate carried by fine bubbles. Brut dosage to preserve freshness. The natural companion for aperitifs and "red-colored" dishes (fine charcuterie, salmon, tomato–herbs). Serve: 40–48°F, tulip glass.
Crémant Grand Prestige Rosé Millésimé: The deeper version. Single vineyard selections, longer time on slats: silkier texture, riper red fruit, subtle brioche notes, and a longer finish. Designed for the table and special occasions: gravlax, carpaccio, delicate poultry, red fruit desserts. Serve: 44–48°F, let it open up for a minute in the glass.
Crémant Rosé Brut vs. Brut Premium: what are the differences in sweetness (g/L)?
At Bestheim, both remain in the Brut category (0–12 g/L), meaning they are dry on the palate, but the Crémant Brut Premium is dosed at around 6 g/L to emphasize freshness and tension, while the Crémant Brut Rosé is dosed at around 8 g/L to envelop the red fruit aromas and lengthen the finish. The perception also varies according to the natural acidity and the time spent on slats: the livelier and longer aged the base, the straighter the wine appears, even at the same dosage.
What is the alcohol content of a Crémant d'Alsace rosé?
Most Crémants Rosés d'Alsace have an alcohol content of around 12 to 12.5% vol. At Bestheim, both the Crémant Brut Rosé and the Grand Prestige Rosé millésimé have an alcohol content of 12.5% vol: a balance that preserves freshness and highlights the red fruit aromas, while maintaining its structure on the palate.
