Region: Alsace, France (AOC Crémant d'Alsace)
Grapes: 35% Auxerrois, 30% Pinot Gris, 25% Pinot Blanc, 10% Chardonnay
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Crisp green apple, lemon-tinged freshness, toasted brioche, almond flakes, vibrant mousse, and elegant mineral tautness
Pairing: Fresh oysters, salmon gravlax, seared scallops, creamy goat cheeses, and rich, buttery appetizers
Pépin is a brilliant, cooperative négociant project born in Alsace, spearheaded by brothers Jean and Pierre Dietrich of the acclaimed Domaine Achillée alongside wine consultants Xavier Couturier and Pierre Sanchez. The concept is pure community: they partner with independent, organically or biodynamically farming vignerons across France to provide a stable platform for making accessible, zero-sulfite natural wines. Because it is a collaborative project that depends on small-batch parcels, the exact blend morphs with each bottling, but the overarching focus remains tethered to maximum freshness, high drinkability, and absolute low-intervention purity.
This 2021 Crémant Extra Brut is a beautifully structured, sparkling showcase of traditional Alsatian varieties. Sourced from practicing organic and biodynamic plots, the hand-harvested grapes undergo natural fermentation with wild, native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Crafted using the traditional method (méthode traditionnelle), the wine spends 18 months aging on its lees before disgorgement, building a delicate, creamy texture and a fine, persistent mousse. True to the Pépin ethos, it is bottled entirely "zero-zero"—completely unfiltered, unfined, and without a single milligram of added sulfur or dosage sugar. Featuring playful label art by iconic natural wine illustrator Michel Tolmer, this sparkling wine strikes a perfect balance between a clean, chiseled mineral drive and the warm, nutty complexity of a classic ancestral bubble.
Region: Alsace, France (AOC Crémant d'Alsace)
Grapes: 35% Auxerrois, 30% Pinot Gris, 25% Pinot Blanc, 10% Chardonnay
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Crisp green apple, lemon-tinged freshness, toasted brioche, almond flakes, vibrant mousse, and elegant mineral tautness
Pairing: Fresh oysters, salmon gravlax, seared scallops, creamy goat cheeses, and rich, buttery appetizers
Pépin is a brilliant, cooperative négociant project born in Alsace, spearheaded by brothers Jean and Pierre Dietrich of the acclaimed Domaine Achillée alongside wine consultants Xavier Couturier and Pierre Sanchez. The concept is pure community: they partner with independent, organically or biodynamically farming vignerons across France to provide a stable platform for making accessible, zero-sulfite natural wines. Because it is a collaborative project that depends on small-batch parcels, the exact blend morphs with each bottling, but the overarching focus remains tethered to maximum freshness, high drinkability, and absolute low-intervention purity.
This 2021 Crémant Extra Brut is a beautifully structured, sparkling showcase of traditional Alsatian varieties. Sourced from practicing organic and biodynamic plots, the hand-harvested grapes undergo natural fermentation with wild, native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Crafted using the traditional method (méthode traditionnelle), the wine spends 18 months aging on its lees before disgorgement, building a delicate, creamy texture and a fine, persistent mousse. True to the Pépin ethos, it is bottled entirely "zero-zero"—completely unfiltered, unfined, and without a single milligram of added sulfur or dosage sugar. Featuring playful label art by iconic natural wine illustrator Michel Tolmer, this sparkling wine strikes a perfect balance between a clean, chiseled mineral drive and the warm, nutty complexity of a classic ancestral bubble.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.