Orders are available for pick-up at Restaurant Nicholas at 160 Route 35 South Red Bank, NJ 07701 during the following times:
Monday: 9:30-3:30; Tuesday – Friday: 9:15am – 9:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am – 9:00pm; Sunday: Closed
$16.00 $15.00
Alsace is often France’s forgotten region – arguably more German than French – similar to Italy’s Alto Adige. And equally similar, white wine has been king for hundreds of years and has been raised to perfectly pair with the region’s cuisine.
In Alsace that means foie gras and escargot – playing right into the gormand’s playbook. (Do try the flammekueche if you ever get the chance.) As Boston’s only Master Sommelier, Brahm Callahan says “Alsatian wines are priced like cheap Pinot Grigio but deliver like Grand Cru Burgundy.”
For that reason, Michelin starred restaurants line up around the block to add Alsatian selections to their wine lists. The region boasts a rich tradition of excellence produced by family run operations that go way back— and that’s where Pierre Sparr enters the picture. The family began establishing the estate in the 17th century. Just as George Washington began his first presidential term, the Sparr family began a drastic expansion of land holdings. However, many of these vineyards were decimated during World War II and had to be completely restored.
This tenacity continues with the twelve generation which has begun to add their vigor to the family business and legacy. The latest Sparr completed study in oenology and worked in Napa of all places for Pernod-Ricard before returning to the family estate in 2010. He came back with a chip on his shoulder, and since then the winery has been on a tear.
The results have been stunning- starting with this ode to crisp, dry, tangy peach in Alsace’s excellent 2018 vintage. The 2018 Pierre Sparr Riesling features the perfect balance of juicy citrus flavors with bone-dry minerality– making it the ideal compliment to so many different food pairings from different cuisine around the world. It’s no surprise that somms geek out over bottles like these. As Master Sommelier, Brahm Callahan noted “While their top wines can be pricey, they make an AC Riesling that, for $15, will blow your hair back.” That’s what we have today.
Out of stock
92 Points, Tasting Panel
Soft petrol nose; crisp, dry, juicy and peachy, bright and lively with tangy peach fruit and racy style; ripe and fresh, tangy and snappy, long and fresh; balanced and crisp.
We’re nearing the end of what was a flawlessly crafted, high energy coastal Chardonnay release from one of California’s hottest spots. It’s still every bit as bright and refreshing as you could want and it hits with clean, pristine green apple fruits, pears and citrus notes with a hint of that limestone-influenced minerality. It’s a fantastic wine for summer, the perfect pair with mixed seafood, summer tomatoes, corn and freshly caught fish.
The Bernard Reverdy Sancerre Blanc 2022 is tightly wound, opening slowly with a complex nose of citrus, chalk and white flowers. With air, higher tones emerge, with a great mingling of ripe fruit, and stony minerality. Medium-bodied, fresh and focused on the palate, with concise limestone-drive acidity, this is an elegant, lively, and energetic Sancerre that mirrors the warm vintage but also the old vines rooting deep in stony soils. What a great persistent finish filled with tension, this is a classic Sancerre that goes best with shellfish, freshly caught fish and or some goat cheeses.
90+ Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
This one is electric, great minerality, great lemon lime and saltiness. It even has a little ageability. I’d drink this over the next few years. This is one of the absolute best expressions from the region (a Cru vineyard designate in 2011) and so perfect with anything out of the sea but in particular the raw bar. Crisp and clean stone fruit with some pear, and a lot of personality. This is a great new discovery wine to check out.
Glistening pale yellow-green to the rim, infused with mouth-watering aromas of ripe apple, pear and quince, and crushed almonds with honey and rich creamy middle and a fantastic rush of acidity and minerality that are present throughout. A calling card of Bonhomme’s Vire-Clesse, if you closed your eyes and took a sip, it would have you convinced you were drinking Meursault at least a 3x price tag.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.