2019 Vin de France Muscatellu “Morta Maió” Non MutéAntoine-Marie Arena
France | Corsica
$57
Producers
Pinot Blanc, rare and exciting in Burgundy, its homeland, sometimes comes off as a bit ordinary and yawn-inducing to many in Alsace. There, where it is often over-cropped and planted in ill-suited terrain, bottlings can be bland. In contrast, the Ostertags long ago took to working their six small Pinot Blanc plots—or “gardens,” as they refer to them—biodynamically and by hand. Plus, in a nod to the grape’s Burgundian roots, they ferment and raise their Pinot Blanc in old barrels sourced from friends in the Côte d’Or. The result is, well, rare and exciting, to say the least. Floral and peach aromas give way to a rich, mouthwatering structure. Best to drink it now, given its vibrancy.
—Chris Santini
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Pinot Blanc |
Appellation: | Alsace |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Domaine Ostertag |
Winemaker: | Arthur Ostertag |
Vineyard: | 20+ years, 0.8 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone, Granite |
Aging: | Aged 9 months sur lie |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace | Alsace
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace | Alsace Grand Cru
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace | Alsace
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace | Alsace
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace | Alsace
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace | 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.
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace | Alsace Grand Cru
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace | Alsace
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace | Alsace
Albert Boxler France | Alsace | Alsace Grand Cru
Albert Boxler France | Alsace | Alsace
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace | Alsace Grand Cru
Albert Boxler France | Alsace | Alsace Grand Cru
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace | Alsace Grand Cru
Albert Boxler France | Alsace | Alsace Grand Cru
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace | Alsace
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace | Alsace
You don’t have to be rich to cellar a great wine.
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