DAN'S WINE BLOG- THIS WEEK'S WINE REVIEW

THIS WEEK’S WINE REVIEW:

Although I haven’t had the opportunity to visit Alsace as yet, I fell in love with their magnificent wines several years ago at a regional tasting here in Adelaide. Since then I have availed myself of every possible opportunity to taste their wines.

 Alsace is world renowned for its magnificent, steely, minerally Riesling, Pinot Blanc and aromatic Gewürztraminer in the whites and very expressive Pinot Noir in the reds.

 The most recent tasting this year was extra special because #VinsdAlsace sent out hundreds of 4x30mL sample bottles of wines, to wine journalists around the world, for the online #masterclass , plus 4x30mL samples from up to six different producers of one’s choice out of the 40 producers participating in this exercise. You could book a one-on-one virtual tasting with any of the participating producers. Due to the time difference between France and Adelaide plus other factors, I was only able to have one such “virtual” tasting.

 As luck would have it, I hit the jackpot! My 15-minute one-on-one video tasting/conference with Rémy Gresser of #DomaineGresser ran for over half an hour, during which time the affable Rémy explained their philosophy and practices in making superb classical yet individualistic wines. His commitment to the event was such that not only did he talk to me an hour before the schedule was supposed to start, but he also had sample rocks from each of their different vineyards on hand to show me.

 Rémy’s family has been growing grapes since settling in the region in 1399 – Yep, that’s 371 years before Australia was “discovered”! For the last 60 years they have been certified Organic Growers as well as embracing the Biodynamic philosophy of grape growing. Rémy has been working in the family business since finishing his National Service in the early 1970s. Despite the family’s long traditional history, today, in order to achieve minimal intervention, Domaine Gresser monitors information from the Colmar Research Institute and has meteorological stations in each vineyard so as to make the maximum use of technology in managing what nature throws at them.

 Their 11 hectares of vines are in several different locations in the region with each selected for the soil suitability, for the variety grown there.

 The delightful wines we tasted were:

 ►Domaine Gresser 2021 Riesling: A beautiful, classic style Alsace Riesling which is fresh, dry, slightly steely, with a tight, refreshing finish. Very appealing.

 ►Domaine Gresser 2019 Alsace Grand Cru “Kastelberg” Riesling (Schiste): Bigger, richer more concentrated and complex, tight, tasty with a hint of salty minerality. Sensational.

 ►Domaine Gresser 2021 Muscat (Limestone) 60% Muscat Ottonel 40% Muscat Alsace: The ratio varies from year to year depending on the Ottonel yield. A classic Alsace Muscat with vibrant aromas, fresh, tasty with plenty of minerality, mouth-filling and exciting. A true expression of this wonderful variety.

  ►Domaine Gresser 2017 Alsace Grand Cru “Wiebelsberg” Pinot Gris (Sandstone): Developing magnificently at 6-years-old with ages of life in front of it. Lovely florals and green peas, big, rich, round, fine and vertical palate with an appealing, slightly salty finish. Very classy.

 Alas the Domaine Gresser wines are not yet available here in Australia, but hopefully they will be sometime soon. In the meantime, there are some other Alsace wines available here to try and enjoy.

 PS: The stats are just in and the 2nd edition of the Millésimes Alsace DigiTasting had 76 exhibitors with 2,229 international visitors from 51 countries, 33,000 miniature bottles sent out and 350+ of us tuned into the live Masterclass.

 Truly a brilliant and innovative event. As they say: “Alsace Rocks!!!”

 #alsacerocks #foulquesaulagnon #vinsdalsace #frenchwine #winesofadelaide #winelovers #winetasting #qualitywine