Alsace

We don’t get huge numbers of entries from Alsace in SWA. Given how food-friendly the wines are, and how much affection there is for them within the on-trade, it’s mystifying. So within this context three Golds (and seven medals in total) represents a good haul for the region.

It was good to see Riesling step up too. Oddly, Gewürztraminer has been the stand-out variety here over the past few years, so our panel were pleased to see the white queen pick up two places on the Gold List.

From The Tasting Teams

‘It was interesting to see Alsatian Riesling performing well at different price points and in different styles, all the way up to grand cru.’ Laura Rhys MS, team leader

‘I love Gewürz, and I value it even more because it’s one of the few wines that goes well with spicy food because of its higher sugar content. There were good examples at every price point. But people don’t necessarily know the grape, so they need to be shown and guided.’ Agostinho de Oliveira Leite, Bistrot Pierre at The Royal William Yard

‘The Gewürz were so good, especially for the price. These are not very popular, but they should be.’ Gastón Adolfo, Margot

‘The grand cru Riesling was outstanding, but you can find a fit for restaurants and bars at every level. Nicely balanced wines.’ Tanguy Martin, Blandford Comptoir

‘Riesling is a hard sell at the moment, but if a sommelier goes for it then it’s something a customer might have.’ Agostinho Leite, Bistrot Pierre at The Royal William Yard

‘Lots of tropical fruit, lychee, rose petals and a lot of warm spice. Alsace Gewürz are not always the cheapest wines but they can offer a lot in the glass for the money.’ Laura Rhys MS, team leader

‘I don’t necessarily see Gewürz for food pairing. Their selling point is their fine-wine quality and elegance.’ Tanguy Martin, Blandford Comptoir

Award winners

Found 7 wines

France: Alsace

Domaine André Lorentz, Gewürztraminer 2017, Alsace, France

'A very classic Gewürztraminer with good varietal expression. Luscious tropical fruit and floral characters, with warm spice notes and really lovely weight and balance.'
Laura Rhys MS, team leader.

'A lychee bomb, with dried sweet apricots, ginger, honey and chamomile.'
Lucie Hammerschmiedova, Portland Restaurant.

'This will interact very well with spicy food.'
Raphael Thierry, consultant.

£11.83 Famille Helfrich

Domaine André Lorentz, Riesling 2017, Alsace, France

'A bright, fresh and vibrant wine, with citrus rind and juice, and some distinct minerality. A lovely expression of Riesling expression with good acidity and balance, offering very good value for money.'
Laura Rhys MS, team leader.

'With beeswax, lime and jasmine notes, this is a great wine to promote Riesling at a house-wine level.'
Raphael Thierry, consultant.

£7.87 Famille Helfrich

Rémy Gresser, Moenchberg, Grand Cru Riesling 2015, Alsace, France

'This opens with a good characteristic Riesling nose, leading to a rich and luscious palate, with mouth-watering ripe fruit. Good value for money too.'
Agostinho Leite, Bistrot Pierre at The Royal William Yard.

'A mineral and petrol nose leads to a generous palate with hints of tropical and confit fruits. A classic from Alsace with good balance.'
Tanguy Martin, Blandford Comptoir.

£23.13 Top Selection

Jean Biecher et Fils, Pinot Gris 2018, Alsace, France

'Bold and ripe with juicy fruits and spice notes. A rich and complex wine with good length, and showing really good value for money.'
Laura Rhys MS, team leader.

'Very dry and floral on the nose, with a lot of white blossom, and a contrasting palate that's very smooth and rich in tropical fruit, with acidity to keep it fresh.'
Sam Winterbottom, The Albert Square Chop House.

£9.63 Bibendum

Trimbach, Riesling Réserve 2018, Alsace, France

'Good tangerine and peach notes on the nose, with a peppery feeling on the palate that's also fruity and mouthwatering. A good pairing wine, but also to have on its own.'
Agostinho Leite, Bistrot Pierre at The Royal William Yard.

'Refreshing, with great concentration of stone fruit, chamomile, honeysuckle and dried apricots.'
Lucie Hammerschmiedova, Portland Restaurant.

£17.47 Enotria&Coe

Jean Biecher et Fils, Riesling 2018, Alsace, France

'Good varietal expression, this is floral and exotic on the nose, and fresh and classic on the palate.'
Tanguy Martin, Blandford Comptoir.

'A fruity, balanced wine that's creamy in the mouth with a good palate-cleansing finish.'
Agostinho Leite, Bistrot Pierre at The Royal William Yard.

£8.86 Bibendum

Rémy Gresser, Brandhof, Pinot Gris 2018, Alsace, France

'Juicy, elegant fruit with lots of tangerine citrus and stone fruit notes, and a mineral finish. Well-balanced and showing good varietal character. A great food wine.'
Laura Rhys MS, team leader.

'Aromatic, with lingering ripe tropical fruit, mango, apricots, dandelion, honey and ginger.'
Lucie Hammerschmiedova, Portland Restaurant.

£16.05 Top Selection