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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
2020 Riesling “Trois Châteaux”
France | Alsace
Racy and pure, with a full arsenal of fruit and ample style, this is a complete Alsatian Riesling experience.
2021 Pinot Blanc
France | Alsace
New to Alsatian wine? This is the perfect place to start.
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.
2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
France | Alsace
Bright, lively, and fun, with just the right of amount of tannin for some chew as well.
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
France | Alsace
It’s a perfect palate cleanser with refreshing notes of lime granita and tart pineapple.
2021 Riesling
France | Alsace
Bone-dry on the palate, it features intense, clean aromas with excellent minerality.
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
France | Alsace
This mouthwatering and impeccably balanced Riesling is a testament to the majestic heights Alsace’s grands crus can reach.
2018 Muscat Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
France | Alsace
Kuentz-Bas vinifies a glorious dry Muscat from grand cru Pfersigberg, an ample and fleshy white scented of ripe citrus, tropical flowers, and exotic fruits.
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
France | Alsace
You’ll want to pair this with a roast chicken or duck, or grilled sausages, when you are in the mood to forego a red with the main course.
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
France | Alsace
Pfersig means “peach,” and the wine’s subtle whispers of white peach are adorable, and then the bouquet keeps growing more expansive, more intense, grander.
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
2021 Riesling “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Gris
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2023 Vin Orange “The New Chapter”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2022 Les Vieilles Vignes de Sylvaner
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Wineck-Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2017 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Blanc Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2017 Pinot Gris Vendange Tardive “Hinterburg de Katzenthal”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Heissenberg”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Riesling “Le Berceau, lieu dit Pflanzer”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2021 Riesling “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Gris
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2023 Vin Orange “The New Chapter”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2022 Les Vieilles Vignes de Sylvaner
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Wineck-Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2017 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Blanc Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2017 Pinot Gris Vendange Tardive “Hinterburg de Katzenthal”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Heissenberg”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Riesling “Le Berceau, lieu dit Pflanzer”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
For the wines that I buy I insist that the winemaker leave them whole, intact. I go into the cellars now and select specific barrels or cuvées, and I request that they be bottled without stripping them with filters or other devices. This means that many of our wines will arrive with a smudge of sediment and will throw a more important deposit as time goes by, It also means the wine will taste better.