Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2026
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
grilled poultry, creamy pasta dishes, soft goat cheese
✨ Technical Specifications
While Chardonnay is a cornerstone of Alsace's sparkling Crémant production, still expressions of the grape remain a rare and intriguing anomaly in the region due to strict appellation laws. This still Chardonnay from Cave du Vieil-Armand, situated at the southern gateway of the Alsatian wine route near the historic Hartmannswillerkopf, offers a fascinating departure from tradition. Grown on the region's complex soils, which blend granite elements with silt and clay, this wine benefits from the sunny, dry microclimate created by the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains. Typically fermented and aged in stainless steel to preserve its natural vibrancy, it highlights a leaner, more mineral-driven side of Chardonnay, marked by bright green apple, citrus, and subtle white flower notes.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1958 at the foot of the historic Hartmannswillerkopf hill—known in French as the Vieil Armand—Cave du Vieil-Armand is a distinguished cooperative estate situated in the southern Alsace village of Wuenheim. Drawing upon an extraordinary mosaic of terroirs, including the historic vineyards of Château d'Ollwiller, the estate unites dedicated local winegrowers committed to authentic regional craftsmanship and sustainable viticulture. The winery is renowned for its versatile portfolio spanning classic still Alsace AOC varietals such as Sylvaner and Pinot Gris, elegant traditional-method Crémants d'Alsace, and artisanal fruit brandies and liqueurs, all characterized by their expressive aromatic purity and crisp structural balance.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Chardonnay