Pierre Sparr

An Ancient and Highly Contested Region

Alsatian wine-growing dates back to the height of the Roman Empire. By 58 B.C. Romans had established vineyards in the region and built fortifications to protect their fields; these encampments became towns in the area. The Holy Roman Empire conquered the region in 870, and thus began Alsace’s turbulent history as a fertile and highly contested territory. During the Middle Ages its wines were among the...

Two-Thousand Years of Viticulture

Alsatian viticulture dates back to the Roman Empire. By 58 B.C., Romans had established vineyards in the region. Alsace was part of the heartland of German medieval viticulture, as vineyards followed the spread of religious orders. France gradually annexed the area during the seventeenth century under King Louis XIII and King Louis XIV. The year 1789 brought the French Revolution and with it the first divis...

Harvest in Alsace

The beginning of harvest for each AOC is set by decree, generally 100 days after the median date of flowering, at the time when the grapes display the best sugar-to-acid ratio. Harvest at Pierre Sparr is done at optimum maturity for each variety, with each vineyard location carefully checked for ripeness. Yields are kept low to increase the concentration of the wines. Harvest is done primarily by hand in all their vineyard...

Pierre Sparr has named a new cellar master: Alexandra Boudrot. Though Alexandra is new to the role, she is well acquainted with the wines and vines of this Alsatian producer, having worked 12 years as both enologist and “terroirs and vine growing specialist.” In the latter role, Alexandra helped partner growers to achieve the best fruit possible from the vineyards while maintaining sustainable and environmentally sound viticulture practices.