From: Sigolsheim, Alsace, France
Varietal: Pinot Blanc
Taste: In the glass, it is a pale yellow hue with soft golden highlights. The wine is expressive and nuanced on the nose, with aromas of ripe pear, yellow apple, and delicate white flowers. Subtle notes of citrus zest, particularly lemon peel, add vibrancy and subtle notes of almond and honey lend depth. The wine's aromatic precision is classic Alsace’s terroir, where cool fall temperatures allow the grapes to develop beautiful aromatics without sacrificing freshness. This Pinot Blanc balances fruit, acidity, and texture on the palate. Flavors of ripe pear and crisp green apple up front, supported by refreshing citrus undertones and a subtle minerality that provides structure and elegance. The medium-bodied mouthfeel is smooth and refined, with a delicate creaminess that lingers with bright, clean acidity.
Pairing: Its crisp acidity and fruit-driven profile pair beautifully with lighter fare such as grilled white fish, shrimp scampi, a simple roast chicken with herbs, or a classic Ceaser salad. Try it alongside a roasted vegetables, asparagus quiche, or a fresh spinach and goat cheese salad for vegetarian options. The wine’s subtle creaminess and minerality complement soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, or Munster, a classic Alsatian pairing.
Parmesan-Crusted Salmon Caesar Salad
By Jerrelle Guy, NYT Cooking
About. Alsace has been celebrated for its elegant, dry white wines for centuries. Located in the heart of the Alsace wine region, Maison Pierre Sparr Successeurs carries a 300-year-old legacy of winemaking excellence that began in 1680 during the reign of King Louis XIV. Founded by Jean Sparr in the Alsatian village of Sigolsheim, the winery has been shaped by nine successive generations of the Sparr family, who worked the land with dedication, expanding and refining the estate through the centuries. This storied history remains at the core of Maison Pierre Sparr’s unwavering commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation.
François Pierre Sparr expanded the family vineyards in 1785, laying the foundation for future generations. By the early 1900s, Pierre Sparr, a visionary leader who took over the estate at just 20 years old, pioneered estate bottling in Alsace. His guiding motto, “invest, progress, and maintain,” became the cornerstone of the winery’s philosophy. However, during World War II, tragedy struck as Sigolsheim and its surrounding vineyards were utterly destroyed. With immense determination, Pierre Sparr rebuilt the domaine from the ground up, restoring it to one of the region's most beautiful and prestigious estates.
Pierre’s sons, René and Charles, played a pivotal role in further developing the estate. They replanted and enlarged the vineyards, expanding the family’s trade to European markets and beyond. Today, Maison Pierre Sparr owns 15 hectares (37 acres) of prime vineyards in Alsace and sources additional fruit from 150 hectares (370 acres) of vineyards farmed by trusted growers with whom they share long-term partnerships. These growers adhere to the same uncompromising philosophy, ensuring the highest quality fruit for each bottle of wine.
The vineyards of Maison Pierre Sparr benefit from Alsace’s exceptional terroir, a mosaic of soils shaped over centuries. Protected by the Vosges Mountains to the west, the region’s vineyards stretch across a 150 km ribbon between hills and plains on the French side of the Rhine River. This natural barrier creates a dry climate with plenty of sunshine and late-season solar radiation, encouraging a slow, even maturation of the grapes. Cool autumns further enhance the development of the distinct, aromatic profiles that define Alsatian wines. The slopes of the Vosges provide perfect conditions for grape varieties to express their typicity, resulting in wines with subtle aromas and an inimitable taste.
