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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

2022 Pinot Gris “Réserve”
France | Alsace
From the exceedingly fine and elegant nose to the creamy and lacy texture, the overall balance and touch, and its hint of salty freshness, this wine shows how understated, finessed, and downright glorious dry Pinot Gris can be in Alsace.

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 pear and a palate that ripples with fresh acidity.

2023 Edelzwicker
France | Alsace
Meyer-Fonné’s 2022 has a floral, perfumed nose—perhaps from a splash of Muscat?—and a soft mid-palate with green apple and pear—surely a sign of Pinot Blanc in there.

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

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.

2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
France | Alsace
You’ll detect a steely quality on the finish, and the slightest hint of the petrol often associated with Riesling. Delicious!

2021 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.

2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
France | Alsace
Meyer’s 2020 is lovely stuff—fermented dry, full-bodied in style, it shines at table in a multitude of gastronomic settings with kaleidoscopic range.

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.

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.
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
2018 Pinot Gris Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2023 Pinot Blanc
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2018 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Wineck-Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Sporen”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Heimbourg”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2023 Pinot Blanc
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2018 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Wineck-Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Sporen”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Heimbourg”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171