Domaine Pfister, Crémant d’Alsace (France) 2011

Generally speaking, most wine buyers turn to Crémants (sparkling wines) from across France — including Alsace — to get an affordable alternative to Champagne.  This wine is indeed a little less expensive than all but the cheapest Champagnes, but that’s about the only respect in which it resembles other wines in its category.  For starters, it is vintage dated.  Moreover, it is a very high-quality wine made from equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, made in the traditional method (second fermentation performed in the bottle) and aged on its lees prior to disgorging for a full 34 months.  It is both satisfyingly flavorful and impressively restrained, with superb balance and very nice texture thanks to unusually fine mousse.  Very, very well made.