Zind Humbrecht, Riesling, Roche Granitique, 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

Riesling is a late ripening grape variety that appreciates the continental climate of Alsace with its cold/hot extremes but also a particularly dry climate. Being a grape variety capable of retaining a strong acidity, it will appreciate a well-drained terroir that heats up quickly. These conditions are well met on the steep granitic slopes in Turckheim (Brand) and make it possible to obtain grapes with good physiological maturity as well as a low malic acid balance. The granitic terroirs therefore produce Rieslings that are ripe, intense and above all without a vegetal profile. This wine therefore comes from vines planted between 1978 and 2001 on the Grand Cru Brand which are not included in the production of the Grand Cru. Every year we also add a small plot located just under the Grand Cru.

Winemaking

A vigorous fermentation got the better of the sugars to end up with a very dry wine.

Tasting Note

Straw yellow colour. Powerful nose of citrus and white fruits. There is an aromatic austerity, and prolonged aeration is recommended when opening the wine. The mouth immediately reflects the beautiful maturity of the grapes. The aromatic power goes hand in hand with the breadth of the palate. What a wine! The mouth opens with an aromatic expression of granite complexity but also of ripe fruits. This is a very dry wine but so charming !

Food Matching

Excellent with seafood, fish, and Asian cuisine, particularly sushi or sashimi.