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ALSACE
STYLE
VINEYARDS AROUND DAMBACH-LA-VILLE
Only one major French wine region has successfully bridged the gap between internationally
renowned white wines and quality sparklers for pleasure. Renowned and lauded
for its iconic white varietals – Gewurtztraminer, Riesling, Sylvaner and Pinot gris for example
– Alsace is also the home of a star-studded line-up of sparkling wines that are well worth discovering.
The region boasts a propitious climate with hot weather in the summer, fairly sunny
autumns and an unrivalled variety of geological formations. Aiming to produce radiant, racy
and fruity wines, growers harvest relatively early to preserve the vibrancy and brightness of
the crisp fruit. Crémants d’Alsace are usually blended from a number of grape varieties like
Pinot blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay and Auxerrois. However the single varietals are increasingly
popular, made from cultivars like Riesling and Pinot gris, along with rosés and ‘blancs de
noirs’ that are single varietal Pinot noir. They show great finesse and balance, adding charming
mineral accents to a magical array of fruit aromatics and naturally articulate terroir characters.
We have chosen a selection of examples that offer the perfect showcase for the qualities of wines
that never go out of fashion.
CAVE DE RIBEAUVILLÉ: AN ODE TO TRADITION
Its church, its three castles and its 13 th -century tower draw both holidaymakers and wine enthusiasts
to Ribeauvillé. Located at the entrance to the mediaeval village, the Ribeauvillé winery
is a popular watering hole. Established in 1895, France’s oldest co-operative winery embraces
246 hectares of outstanding vineyard sites. As per its quality charter, the fruit is picked by hand,
SPRING 2024 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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