This month our French Winophiles group is teaming up with Wines of Alsace, and Teuwen  Communications for their Alsace Rocks! promotion.  As part of the promotion I was provided with 4 sample wines (as always opinions are my own!)

My Pinot Flight included at least one of the four Pinot grape varieties of Alsace – Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Auxerrois, and Pinot Noir.  I paired the four wines with various meals over the course of a couple of weeks.

Alsace, in the far north-eastern corner of France, stands out from other French wine regions thanks to its strong Franco-Germanic influences. These are the results of the region having switched back and forth between German and French sovereignty in recent centuries – and are evident not only in Alsatian architecture and culture, but also in the wines.

It lies between the Vosges mountains and the French border with Germany, marked by the Rhine river. A long, thin region, it measures 185 kilometers (115 miles) north to south and just 40km (25 miles) from east to west. The key viticultural areas here are all located on the lower hillsides of the Vosges, on slopes with east and south-easterly aspects. (Source)

Alsace was granted AOC status in 1962,  It is France’s smallest region, and is divided into two départments, Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin.  Generally, the best wines originate in the Haut-Rhin.  Over two-thirds of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in the Haut-Rhin.

Alsace At A Glance

Soil Types: There are 13 different soil types – primarily granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, loess, and the local pink sandstone
Noble Grapes: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Gewürztraminer.  Alsace is the only French wine region to grow significant quantities of Riesling and Gewürztraminer
Styles: Sparkling wine, still red (Pinot Noir is the only permitted red wine grape) and white wines, rosé and late harvest wine – There’s something for everyone!
Appellations: Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru, Crémant d’Alsace

Alsace wines generally state the varietal on the label. All varietally labeled Alsace AOC wines must contain 100% of the stated grape.

The Food And Wine Pairings

Below you’ll find my tasting notes on each wine, and a description of each of my delectable (and diverse) food pairings!

2017 Emile Beyer Pinot Blanc Tradition – France, Alsace
Color – Pale green with yellow highlights
Aromas – Green apple, white flowers and lime zest with a hint of smokiness
Body – Light-bodied, dry, and very fresh with citrusy acidity
Taste – Green apple, and lime sherbet with a hint of minerality
Finish – Medium

Blend of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois|13% abv|SRP – $15 (87 pts.)

2012 Dopff & Irion Pinot Gris La cuvée Rene Dopff – France, Alsace
Color – Pale straw yellow w/green highlights
Aromas – White peach, lychee, mixed citrus marmalade, honey, and wet stone
Body – Medium-bodied, off-dry and very fresh with a supple texture
Taste – Ripe peach, apricot, lychee, mandarin orange marmalade, spice and honey with an evocative hint of wet stone minerality
Finish – Medium+

100% Pinot Gris|13% abv|SRP – $21 (90 pts.)

Paul & Phillippe Zinck Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé – France, Alsace, Crémant d’Alsace
Color – Salmon
Aromas – Strawberry, raspberry, brioche, citrus with a hint of minerality
Body – Medium-bodied and fresh with a delicate creamy mousse
Taste – Strawberry, raspberry, peaches and cream, blood orange flavors with subtle baking spice notes and chalky minerality
Finish – Lingering

Made in the traditional method from 100% Pinot Noir, this wine combines three vintages to create a consistent flavor profile. It is aged for 12 months on its fine lees prior to disgorgement.

12.5% abv|SRP – $25 (89 pts.)

2015 Léon Beyer Pinot Noir – France, Alsace
Color – Translucent ruby
Aromas – Dried cherries, sarsaparilla, dried savory herbs and damp earth
Body – Light-bodied, fresh and harmonious with a supple texture and velvety tannins. Takes a chill rather well
Taste – Black cherry, tart raspberry, cola, spice, and a kiss of graphite
Finish – Medium

100% Pinot Noir|13% abv|SRP – $28

Grapes were sourced from 25-30 year old vines grown on south and southeast facing slopes. Fermented in glass-lined concrete tanks. (87 pts.)

Conclusion

I loved doing this Alsace Pinot flight!  The wines were all very good to outstanding and so food friendly.  I’ve been a fan of Cremant d’Alsace, late harvest Alsace wines for many years.  I tried a few dry white  Alsace white wines here and there, but this “virtual” trip to Alsace has me craving more of what Alsace has to offer!

Here’s a list of great Alsace wine suggestions from our Winophiles

• Robin at Crushed Grape Chronicles shares “A Palette of Pinots – The Hues of Alsace”
• Martin at Enofylz Wine Blog shares “Pinot d’Alsace…Yes Please!”
• Rupal at Syrah Queen shares “Rockin Alsace With Pinots”
• Julia at Julia Coney shares “Alsace – Where Pinot Rocks!“
• Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm shares “Alsace Rocks the Summer Grilling Scene”
• Jeff at Food Wine Click! shares “Alsace Wines in the American Kitchen”
• Lauren at The Swirling Dervish shares “Alsatian Temptation: Wine from the Vosges Mountains in France“
• Jane at Always Ravenous shares “Tips and Recipes for Alsace Pairings”
• Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares “Alsace Pairing Challenge? Accepted!”
• Olivier at In Taste Buds We Trust shares “Taking gewürztraminer to a higher level”
• Michelle at Rockin Red Blog shares “Getting Dirty with Alsace Riesling“
• Payal at Keep the Peas shares “Alsace: A Geologist’s Dream”
• Jill at L’Occasion shares “A Riesling Experience: Nuanced Terroirs of Alsace”
• Liz at What’s in that Bottle shares “All in for Alsace Riesling”
• David at Cooking Chat shares “Pork and Cabbage Skillet with Riesling from Alsace”
• Gwen at Wine Predator shares “Alsace Rocks 4 Riesling With Fondue!”
• Nicole at Somm’s Table shares “Alsace-a-palooza Part 1: The Wines”

Please join our chat on Twitter – whether you posted or not.  We love visitors and happily chat and answer questions. Simply tune in to the #winophiles hashtag on Twitter this Saturday, June 16 at 10am CDT. You can also check out the #AlsaceRocks hashtag for more Alsace fun during and after the chat.

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