Alsace’s Unsung Hero Wines

                                       Alsace makes both high quality still & sparkling wines

Forbe’s  called Alsatian wine, "The best, and best value, white wines you've never drunk."  Alsace, a relatively unknown and unfashionable wine region for most Americans, forms France's northeastern border with Germany.  Perhaps Alsace's misconceived association with German sweet wines is the cause for discerning USA wine lovers to miss out on the dry sensational wines of Alsace?   

 Alsatian wines are some of the best values on planet earth

 

Wine from Alsace is a phenomenal bargain.   When dining at a Michelin star I always turn to the Alsatian wine section of the wine list.   First, I love these wines---and so do knowledgeable sommeliers who understand their food-friendly beauty.  Second, because of the lower demand for these unknown gems, prices for Alsatian wines represent some of the best values on a wine list. 

                                     Alsace is a treasure trove for well crafted white wines
       

There are three main white grapes in Alsace:

Pinot Gris

You may know this grape by its Italian name, Pinot Grigio.  While they are the same grape, the varietal reaches rock-star status in Alsace.  Alsatian Pinot Gris is often a full bodied wine with tropical and stone fruit flavors.  Citrus is often present, as is a spicy nuance. 

Gewurztraminer

     This grape may be another reason why Alsatian wines is not fashionable:  no one can       pronounce it (plus this varietal is often associated with its sweet German counterpart).  Dry Gewurztraminer can be quite seductive:  think luscious aromatics like an intoxi- cating perfume.  In addition to floral notes (often roses), there’s also an exotic layering of passion fruit or lychee.    

     Riesling

     Like Gewurztraminer, Riesling is also a highly aromatic grape.   In Alsace young            Riesling flavors can range from lemon/lime to pineapple, apricot and nectarines,            and are often laced often with floral aromas.  The varietal’s high acidity make it an        especially food-friendly choice.

                  The Christmas "marches" in Alsace are some of the most special in Europe

Wine-Knows will be visiting Alsace this year (December 6-16) during the region's world-famous Christmas markets.   With roots in the Middle Ages, modern day Christmas markets are some of the most magical celebrations in all of Europe.  Why not join us to learn about Alsatian wine, and experience Europe like you've never seen it before?

http://www.wineknowstravel.com/christmas-market-itinerary/

A White Christmas

White Bordeaux completes the perfect White Christmas

I’m dreaming of a White Christmas.  While I love red Bordeaux, I’m thinking of dry white Bordeaux this year …perfect for San Diego’s warm December weather.  Perfectly timed for a White Christmas was a white Bordeaux tasting I just attended.  Held by a very sophisticated and savvy group of wine lovers (the Commanderie de Bordeaux of which I am a member), the blind tasting’s findings are below.

Before unveiling the winners, let’s review white Bordeaux.  Produced primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, these gorgeous relatively unknown wines also are often blended with Semillon.  While Sauv Blanc should be familiar to many, Semillon is often not.  One of the things I most love about Semillon is its luxurious, velvet-like texture.  Its flavor profile ranges from citrus in less ripe grapes, to tropical flavors in perfectly ripened grapes.  Mixed with the high acidity of Sauv Blanc, white Bordeaux can be a marriage made in heaven.

While extraordinary whites are made by some of the top Grand Cru Chateaux (e.g. Premier Grand Cru Chateau Haut-Brion Blanc which sells for about $850 a bottle), the Commanderie de Bordeaux tasting excluded all Grand Cru chateaux.  Eight members of our group tasted >10 bottles from the 2014 vintage.  Prices ranged from $28 to $14.  Here are the top three from our group's consensus:

• 1st:  Chateau Charmed-Godard ($23)
• 2nd:  Clos Floridine $26
• 3rd:  Chateau Doisy Daene ($23)

The best wine of all tasted was disqualified because it was from the 2015 vintage.  Personally, this one was my hands-down favorite, however, the 2015 weather presented Bordeaux with much riper fruit than the year prior.  This gorgeous wine was made by Chateau Haut Mayne in Graves and offered a killer price quality ratio of a mere $12.  If you find it, buy a case or two.  It’s an extraordinary value.

If you don’t know white Bordeaux, you should.  Make your Christmas a white one this year!