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The Beautiful Simplicity of “Alsace Blanc”
The Beautiful Simplicity of “Alsace Blanc”
by Kermit Lynch by Kermit Lynch
From the Archives: July 2006 Newsletter From the Archives: July 2006 Newsletter
2021 Alsace Blanc
2021 Alsace Blanc


Husseren-les-Châteaux
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace | Alsace
Alsace blanc means an Alsatian white and nothing more definite than that. I did not know Alsace blanc existed until Kuentz-Bas poured theirs for me. I think it deserves to exist. Consider, we have Mâcon, Côtes du Rhône, and Bordeaux blanc. Alsace blanc is a simple, entry-level appellation that displays a regional character.
Bargain of the summer? Well, it certainly is fresh and tasty and allows thirst-quenching-sized swallows. And unlike Le Montrachet (another French dry white), for example, if you are in the mood for a glass like right now, and you don’t happen to have a bottle chilled, you can just toss a couple of ice cubes into the glass. Very practical when you are in a rush.
The grape varieties are Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and the aromatic Muscat d’Alsace. Put ’em together and what do you get? Well, a fine, whispery aftertaste, for one thing. And I like the way it makes the inside of my mouth feel, which is more than I can say for a lot of high-scoring, high-priced palate manglers.
Enjoy.


Husseren-les-Châteaux
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 65% Pinot Blanc, 15% Muscat, 14% Riesling, 6% Gewurztraminer |
Appellation: | Alsace |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Kuentz-Bas |
Winemaker: | Olivier Raffin |
Vineyard: | 25 - 45 years, 2 ha |
Soil: | Loess, Silt, Limestone |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region

Crémant d’Alsace Brut
France | Alsace
There is a rich, toasty complexity from lees aging, which highlights the delicate aromas you’ll find in your glass: honey, nectarine, citrus, and summer flowers.

2017 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
France | Alsace
Boxler’s regal Pinot Gris—in this case, sourced exclusively from his grand cru Brand holdings—captures the essence of Pinot Gris in all of its textural glory.

Confiture Fraise Charlotte et Rhubarbe D’Alsace
France | Alsace

2019 Alsace Pinot Noir
France | Alsace
Bright, lively, and fun, with just the right of amount of tannin for some chew as well.

2019 Riesling
France | Alsace
Bone-dry on the palate, it features intense, clean aromas with excellent minerality.

2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
France | Alsace
Inviting honey and apricots on the nose lead to a pure, dry palate with perfect citrusy acidity for balance.

2015 Muscat Grand Cru “Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé”
France | Alsace
If you haven’t yet discovered the wonders of dry Muscat from Alsace, both young and old, start here and spoil yourself forever!

Crémant d’Alsace Brut
France | Alsace
There is a rich, toasty complexity from lees aging, which highlights the delicate aromas you’ll find in your glass: honey, nectarine, citrus, and summer flowers.

2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
France | Alsace
Unlike light, crisp Italian Pinot Grigio, the grape achieves a sun-drenched plumpness that translates to a lusciousness on the palate.

2020 Pinot Blanc
France | Alsace
New to Alsatian wine? This is the perfect place to start.
About The Producer
Kuentz-Bas
More than two hundred years of tradition and vineyard pedigree have made the wines of Kuentz-Bas perennial favorites. However, when the family sold the property to famed vigneron Jean-Baptiste Adam in 2004, many wondered what direction the new team would take. Adam, like the estates former owners, has a reputation for being an advocate of Alsatian terroir, and he is the fourteenth generation to continue a family winemaking tradition that began as early as 1614. The wines are more open than ever while still reflecting the unmistakable character of the vineyards that clients have come to expect from Kuentz-Bas.
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
2020 Riesling “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2017 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2017 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Les Vieilles Vignes de Sylvaner
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Schoenenbourg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Riesling
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Muscat
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Chasselas
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2017 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2017 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Les Vieilles Vignes de Sylvaner
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Schoenenbourg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Riesling
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Muscat
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Chasselas
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