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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
2021 Pinot Gris Vendange Tardive “Hinterburg de Katzenthal”
France | Alsace
Almond, butter, orange confit, white truffle—it’s all there in the awesome bouquet—then you experience the unctuous, dense palate with a texture to write home about.
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
France | Alsace
This rich, gastronomic crémant with fine and elegant bubbles will have even the Champagne purist singing its praises.
2023 Riesling Grand Cru “Schoenenbourg”
France | Alsace
Powerhouse intensity, concentration, kaleidoscopic flavor, unique terroir: in short, one of the great Riesling terroirs in all of northern Europe.
2021 Riesling “Pfoeller”
France | Alsace
One of the gems of the Meyer portfolio.
2024 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.
2018 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
France | Alsace
That grapes can be cajoled and fashioned to make such a liquid is miraculous. This aroma is beyond belief.
2020 Sylvaner “Oolithe”
France | Alsace
This bottle gives some of my favorite grand cru Rieslings a run for their money with a nose evoking peach skin and a palate rippling with fresh acidity.
2020 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Sporen”
France | Alsace
If you don’t recognize Félix’s touch from the rich aromas of lychee, ginger, and rose petals, you will by the time you finish your first glass.
2023 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
France | Alsace
Felix Meyer’s recent acquisition from the small, sunny Mandelberg cru is already a classic through and through.
2023 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Wineck-Schlossberg”
France | Alsace
This wine showcases everything I seek for in a dry Gewurztraminer. The nose shows pure, delicate aromas of fresh lychee and exotic fruit.
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
2022 Riesling “Clos Mathis”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2024 Gentil d’Alsace
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Riesling “Le Berceau lieu dit Pflanzer”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2023 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Blanc
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2024 Riesling “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Zellberg”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Sporen”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
Confiture Griotte d’Alsace Variété Chatel Morel
Christine Ferber | Alsace
2020 Gewurztraminer “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2022 Riesling “Clos Mathis”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2024 Gentil d’Alsace
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Riesling “Le Berceau lieu dit Pflanzer”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2023 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Blanc
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2024 Riesling “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Zellberg”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Sporen”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
Confiture Griotte d’Alsace Variété Chatel Morel
Christine Ferber | Alsace
2020 Gewurztraminer “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
If you're looking for value, look where no one else is looking.
Inspiring Thirst, page 211