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An Ethereal Charmer to Welcome Spring
An Ethereal Charmer to Welcome Spring
by Dustin Soiseth by Dustin Soiseth
2021 Gentil d’Alsace
2021 Gentil d’Alsace
Félix Meyer’s hometown of Katzenthal
Félix Meyer with his father François
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace | Alsace
You’ll often see terms like “steely,” “flinty,” or “bracing” to describe white wines. Indeed, those types of white wines are often among our favorites. However, sometimes steely or flinty just isn’t what you’re looking for. Perhaps you’ve been experiencing steely, bracing weather for the past several months and are yearning for something gentler. I tasted Félix Meyer’s Gentil d’Alsace on a blustery day after a big late-season storm, and it only took one sip to remind me that spring was around the corner.
Gentil d’Alsace is a blended wine with rather strict requirements. At least half of the blend must consist of some combination of the four noble Alsatian varieties: Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. After that, Sylvaner, Chasselas, and Pinot Blanc are also permitted. Additionally, all the constituent grapes must be vinified separately and meet quality standards before being blended. Though quite affordable and made for everyday enjoyment, Gentil is arguably more labor-intensive to vinify than an Alsatian grand cru.
Félix’s wines are renowned for their stunning aromatics, and this is no exception. Exotic, perfumed notes from Muscat swirl around classic Riesling aromas like pear and nectarine. A beautiful pale straw color belies the dense stone fruit on the palate. The wine has tension and texture, and it finishes with hints of nuttiness and a lemon zest twang. Now, after all the work that went into producing this lovely wine, all that’s left to do is open a bottle and enjoy.
Félix Meyer’s hometown of Katzenthal
Félix Meyer with his father François
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 50% Riesling, 25% Muscat, 20% Pinot Blanc, 5% Sylvaner and Pinot Gris |
Appellation: | Alsace |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Meyer-Fonné |
Winemaker: | François & Félix Meyer |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 12.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2021 Riesling “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
France | Alsace
This Riesling “Katz,” as we call it, is a beautifully linear and chiseled style of Riesling, fresh and pure.
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
France | Alsace
Power, intensity, and complexity combine to bring us a Riesling for the ages.
2020 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.
2022 Riesling Réserve
France | Alsace
Meyer’s Riesling Réserve is a mélange of different terroirs around his domaine in Katzenthal, and is a precise, dry, minerally Riesling loaded with character.
2017 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Sélection de Grains Nobles “Kaefferkopf” 500ml
France | Alsace
The nose just jumps out of the glass in a blaze of spicy, honeyed glory.
2021 Pinot Noir “Altenbourg”
France | Alsace
This is a rich, ample, seductive Pinot with notes of tea leaves, strawberries, and blackberries.
2020 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!
2022 Pinot Blanc “Vieilles Vignes”
France | Alsace
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.
2019 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
France | Alsace
That grapes can be cajoled and fashioned to make such a liquid is miraculous.
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.
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 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Riesling
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2017 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2016 Pinot Gris “Heimbourg”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2017 Riesling Grand Cru “Sommerberg” Vendange Tardive
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2018 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Riesling
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2017 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2016 Pinot Gris “Heimbourg”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2017 Riesling Grand Cru “Sommerberg” Vendange Tardive
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312