Zind Humbrecht, Gewürztraminer, Turckheim, Alsace, France, 2020

Producer Profile

Olivier Humbrecht MW holds the notable achievement of being the first French national to earn the title of Master of Wine in 1989.

From a winemaking lineage that dates back to 1620, Olivier is the twelfth generation of his family working in viticulture. In 1959, his parents, Léonard Humbrecht and Geneviève Zind, merged their family vineyards to establish Domaine Zind-Humbrecht and Olivier assumed responsibility for the estate's winemaking in 1989, the same year he achieved his Master of Wine qualification. Under his guidance, Olivier's domaine has become renowned for its commitment to biodynamic viticulture, a practice he adopted in the early 1990s. He employs non-interventionist winemaking techniques, allowing the unique terroirs of Alsace to express themselves fully in the wines, and his dedication to quality and innovation in winemaking has earned him international acclaim, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the world of wine.

Viticulture

This Gewürztraminer was made from relatively old vineyards located on the warmest part of the gravelly valley floor near the village of Turckheim. This grape variety is the one that needs the most sunshine, and some warmth, during the few weeks before harvest. Like a red grape, Gewürztraminer requires perfect skin ripeness, in order to avoid vulgar aromatics but also green tannins. Phenolic ripeness is paramount for Gewürztraminer. It can be achieved by waiting a long time to harvest the grapes (that is usually done on the richer marl soils, producing sweeter wines) or by planting this grape on a geology allowing for precocious ripeness, like the gravelly and sandy soils. It explains why Gewurztraminer was an important grape in this area in Turckheim. Being able to harvest earlier also helps to control the potential richness of the wines.

Winemaking

After a very fast fermentation, this wine ended up bone dry. It was kept on its full lees until bottling.

Tasting Note

Intense yellow colour. The nose shows subtle floral notes, typical of the grape variety, but also complex, slightly reductive, mineral, leather and spicy/peppery aromas. It almost feels like the scent one would get after a rainfall on the pebbles of this vineyard. It will benefit from air (carafe) and will continue to open up with age. The palate is vigorous, elegant and full of energy. Bone dry, with a velvety tannic texture, the palate shows an almost light red wine structure with a salivating finish. T

Food Matching

This wine will be excellent with grilled fish, prawns and light spicy food.