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The Proverbial Crisp White Wine
The Proverbial Crisp White Wine
by Anthony Lynch by Anthony Lynch
2022 Pinot Blanc “Vieilles Vignes”
2022 Pinot Blanc “Vieilles Vignes”


The village of Katzenthal

Félix with his father François 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, its bright flavors signaling a new chapter to the day in which pleasure and relaxation reign.
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.


The village of Katzenthal

Félix with his father François Meyer
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2022 |
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 |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 12.5% |
More from this Producer or Region

Crémant d’Alsace Brut
France | Alsace
This rich, gastronomic crémant with fine and elegant bubbles will have even the Champagne purist singing its praises.

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.

2021 Gentil d’Alsace
France | Alsace
A fragrant blend of mostly Riesling and Muscat, Félix Meyer’s organically grown Gentil is crisp and lean and works like a reset button for your palate.

2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
France | Alsace
Felix Meyer’s recent acquisition from 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

2021 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.

2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
France | Alsace
Power, intensity, and complexity combine to bring us a Riesling for the ages.
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.
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2018 Gewurztraminer “Réserve”
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2018 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
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2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg “Wibtal”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2018 Riesling “Pfoeller”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Fronholz”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2021 Les Vieilles Vignes de Sylvaner
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2018 Riesling
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2020 Riesling “Les Jardins”
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2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
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Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174