Bouteille de Plaisir: Memory-Making German Bubbles

Pascal Noordover slides the small black marker across the table and writes 31-1 on the cork. Not as a gimmick, but as the entire Bouteille de Plaisir philosophy in one gesture. The private label from his import business covers two sparklers: an alcohol-free cuvée from Württemberg and an organic Riesling sekt from Rheinhessen. Every bottle ships with a marker so the cork can carry a date.

The cork idea

The inspiration came from a client of marketing professional Irene: an office wall covered in dated corks, each tied to a milestone. Pascal, a wine importer, and Irene decided to bottle that idea.

“That moment of uncorking goes by fast,” Pascal says. “Marking the cork makes it stick.”

The alcohol-free: Württemberg

A dealcoholised cuvée of Muscaris, Cabernet Blanc (two PIWI varieties, fungus-resistant) and Müller-Thurgau. The family producer near Stuttgart works without organic certification but with a long-horizon view of the vineyards.

In the glass: a surprisingly fine, persistent mousse, none of the giveaway dealcoholised aftertaste. The nose opens on a bite of Granny Smith, then lime, lemon zest and bitter jasmine. The palate is full, sweet-acid in balance, no sharp edge. Served blind, it would pass for a regular sparkler.

Price: €19.99 (€27.50 with gift box).

The Winzersekt: Rheinhessen

100% Riesling, organic, traditional method with second fermentation in bottle. 12.5% alcohol, around 6 g/l residual sugar. Deeper gold, even finer bead.

Honey and butterscotch open, then apple, lime and a touch of ripe pineapple. The palate is fully dry despite the fruit weight; acidity is tighter than in the alcohol-free, mouthfeel richer. Late picking shows without tipping into sweet territory.

Price: €21.49 (€28.99 with gift box).

Two styles, one gesture

The alcohol-free version is exceptional for its category; the sekt is an honest Winzersekt at a fair price. The difference is more about register than quality: the Riesling is the serious one, the Württemberger the more inviting.

Both come with the marker. Birthday, signed contract, Dry January toast; the cork goes into the archive either way.

Order at bouteilledeplaisir.nl.

Sources

• Bouteille de Plaisir (official, Württemberg): bouteilledeplaisir.com