Dopff Au Moulin Alsace Chardonnay Brut Nature Sans Souffre Ajoute Cremant d'Alsace 2020

Established in Riquewihr in 1574, the Dopff family has dedicated itself to producing fine Alsatian wine for over 13 generations. A pioneering family, they were responsible for the stemmed wine bottles, which still distinguish Alsace wines from other regions today. In 1900, tenth-generation Julien Dopff was so impressed by the Champagne tastings held in Paris that he learnt the art of winemaking in Champagne for two years before returning to Alsace. After WWII, Julien Dopff strongly believed that a Crémant made from local grape varieties, which reflected the terroir of Alsace, should be protected. In 1976, together with five other producers, Dopff finally obtained official recognition for Cremant d'Alsace as an AOC. Their 70-hectare vineyard is situated at 300 metres elevation, nestled in the Vosges Mountains' foothills; since 2020, they have held the HVE certification for sustainability. 

The Alsace climate is characterised by the alternation of warm days and cool nights during the autumn, which offers ideal conditions for the slow and gradual maturation of the grapes, concentrating the fruit flavours from the sun's warmth while retaining a balancing acidity from the cool nights. The Vosges Mountains are a natural barrier, protecting the vineyard against heavy rainfall. This reduces the risk of disease and facilitates limited treatment in the vineyard. Dopff cultivates their vineyards using sustainable techniques, and the grapes are hand-harvested to optimal maturity.