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The Proverbial Crisp White Wine
The Proverbial Crisp White Wine
by Anthony Lynch by Anthony Lynch
2018 Pinot Blanc “Vieilles Vignes”
2018 Pinot Blanc “Vieilles Vignes”


Félix Meyer
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace | Alsace
There comes a time every day—generally around 6 o’clock—when a hankering for something cold and crisp emanates from within. We crave a refreshing glass of white to alleviate thirst and cleanse the day’s lingering cocktail of doubts and worries, admittedly more antagonizing than usual in these surreal times.
Félix Meyer’s old-vine Pinot Blanc from the slopes of Katzenthal, in Alsace, has long overdelivered in the role of the proverbial “crisp white” for which we long. It has obvious thirst-quenching properties, expressed in the form of perky acidity and a mouth-watering, almost smoky mineral note that grabs hold of the back of the palate. But it also carries generous flesh, like the succulent texture of farmers’ market stone fruits, enlivened by an exotic bolt of lime.
Perhaps due to the fifty-year-old vines, plus Félix’s liberal interpretation of “Pinot Blanc”—the blend also includes Pinot Gris and Pinot Auxerrois—this crisp blanc does far more than what its price point might suggest. The first glass may satisfy our craving for something cold quite swimmingly, but the second reveals a nuanced wine of real substance.


Félix Meyer
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2018 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 65% Pinot Auxerrois, 20% Pinot Blanc, 15% Pinot Gris |
Appellation: | Alsace |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Meyer-Fonné |
Winemaker: | Félix Meyer |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1965 and 1978, 2.5 ha |
Soil: | Granite with Mica, Calcareous Marl |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 12.5% |
More from this Producer or Region

2023 Gewurztraminer Réserve
France | Alsace
The incredibly complex aromas soar out of the glass with an underpinning note of rose petal, the full-bodied and almost oily texture is classic.

2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
France | Alsace
The small, sunny Mandelberg cru is already a classic through and through—petrol notes with lush pear, honey, and a tart bite of green apple.

2019 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
France | Alsace
That grapes can be cajoled and fashioned to make such a liquid is miraculous.

2020 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Sporen”
France | Alsace
If you don’t recognize Félix Meyer’s touch from the rich aromas of lychee, candied ginger, and rose petals, you will by the time you finish your first glass.

2023 Muscat “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
France | Alsace
Serve it to friends as an apéritif and listen for wows, because this wine’s perfume provokes wows.

2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
France | Alsace
One of the gems of the Meyer portfolio.

Crémant d’Alsace Brut
France | Alsace
This rich, gastronomic crémant with fine and elegant bubbles will have even the Champagne purist singing its praises.

2022 Pinot Noir “Gallus”
France | Alsace
A grainy texture and a lightness on its feet that his other more powerful and structured Pinots grown in limestone do not possess.

2023 Gentil d’Alsace
France | Alsace
A fragrant blend of mostly Riesling and Muscat, Félix Meyer’s organically grown Gentil is crisp and lean and works like a reset button for your palate.

2022 Riesling “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
France | Alsace
This Riesling “Katz,” as we call it, is a beautifully linear and chiseled style of Riesling, fresh and pure.
About The Producer
Meyer-Fonné
About The Region
Alsace
Tragically, Alsace might be the most misunderstood wine region of France. In spite of its long history of viticulture and tremendous diversity of pedigreed terroirs, a past fraught with marketing mishaps has left consumers baffled as to what exactly to expect inside one of these mysterious tall, thin bottles.
The good news, on the other hand, is that a new wave of quality-oriented growers is working hard to put Alsace in its rightful place as one of the world’s most fascinating sources of fine white wine. By embracing tradition, respecting terroir, and making a concerted effort to better communicate the countless virtues their wines have to offer, they have succeeded in putting Alsace back on the map.
Crafted from a number of grape varieties and beautifully interpreting the region’s mosaic of soil types, our Alsace imports are by and large dry whites offering exceptional versatility at table. While each of these selections is ready to be uncorked tonight, the finest among them are also capable of maturing for many, many years in a cool cellar. Expect kaleidoscopic aromatics, lively acidities, and loads of terroir transparency in these skillfully crafted masterpieces. Enjoy a foray into the thrilling world of the world’s most underrated wine region, and certainly do not hesitate to contact our sales staff with any questions as you take off on this mouth-watering adventure.
More from Alsace or France
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Dudenstein”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2023 Riesling “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
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2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2019 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Réserve
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Gris “Réserve”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2023 Riesling Grand Cru Brand “Kirchberg”
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2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Noir “Gallus”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Dudenstein”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2023 Riesling “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2019 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Réserve
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Gris “Réserve”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2023 Riesling Grand Cru Brand “Kirchberg”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Noir “Gallus”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312