colmar - The Wine Society

Alsace 

09 

A splendid vintage, bathed in sunshine 

ASMAY11 

thewinesociety.com/alsace

2009, a splendid vintage 

2009 is a great Alsace vintage and one which allowed the great 

vineyards in particular to shine. The wines are wonderfully expressive, 

concentrated with good minerality, focus and length of flavour. 

For the most part, they are also perfectly good to drink now though 

the best will keep and develop well over many years. All grapes 

flourished; but for pinot noir, 2009 is the finest vintage since 

2003 and possibly since 1990. 

Unlike many fine vintages in Alsace, 2009 was not picked especially early. 

Winter had been cold and spring had come with a real mix of conditions. 

Marc Hugel says the warm, very dry June was crucial. Later came more heat, 

yet night temperatures were cool so the grapes kept their fruit. The weather 

remained perfect right through to the end of the vintage allowing growers to 

harvest in optimum conditions. 

To aid selection we start with six excellent good-value whites that will be 

lovely this summer (and a mixed case with a £6.40 saving). We then display 

the wines by grape variety and include riesling and gewurztraminer mixed 

cases. The 2009 Alsace Mixed Dozen is a wonderful cross section of this 

excellent vintage including no fewer than seven different grape varieties. 

To encourage exploration it has a £10 saving, or think of it as nigh on a free 

bottle of delicious gewurz. 

Marcel Orford-Williams 

Society Buyer 

On the fruit: six everyday Alsace whites 

The Society’s Vin d’Alsace, 

Hugel 

This standard bearer for Alsace is made for 

us by Hugel, one of the top houses with a 

history going back to 1639. It is a blend 

with a sylvaner and pinot blanc base but 

also with a high proportion of noble 

varieties: riesling, pinot gris and a little 

each of gewurztraminer and muscat. 

Dry, fruity and full flavoured, and good 

with or without food. 12% 

ref AS-AL49161 £7.95 bottle £95 dozen 

Sylvaner, Léon Beyer 

Marc Beyer’s everyday tipple is bone 

dry and full flavoured with a touch of 

spice and earthiness. This is refreshing 

and would work well on its own or 

with a plate of charcuterie. 12% 


Pinot Gris Sec, Cave de 

Turckheim 

With much more flavour than its Italian 

pinot grigio counterparts usually have, this 

is a good food white. Dry with a delicious 

touch of spice. 13% 


Pinot Blanc, Trimbach 

Impeccable and elegant with a perfect 

sense of balance. Lovely on its own or 

with quiche. This has charm and delicacy 

and tastes fully dry. 12.5% 


Riesling, Tradition, Kuentz-Bas 

Full flavoured, dry riesling, fragrant and 

clean tasting. This could be drunk on its 

own but will be better with food such as 

fish or poultry. 12.5% 


Gewurztraminer, Bruno Sorg 

Excellent deliciously fruity gewurztraminer. 

Quite rich, round and smooth with just a 

touch of spice and rose petals. 13.5% 


To order thewinesociety.com/alsace ☎ 01438 740222 

ALSACE 

FRANCE 

V O S G E S M O U N TA I N S 

Kaysersberg• 

GUEBWILLER• 

Rorschwihr• 

RIBEAUVILLÉ• 

Riquewihr• 

HAUT-RHIN 

Taste of Alsace 2009 

ref AS-MX11122 at £99 

BAS-RHIN 

Saving £6.40. 

A 12-bottle case containing two 

bottles of each of the following: 

The Society’s Vin d’Alsace, Hugel 


Pinot Gris Sec, Cave de Turckheim 


Riesling, Tradition, Kuentz-Bas 


A35 

See the 

back page 

for more 

mixed cases 

A35 

•COLMAR Turckheim• 

•Wintzenheim Gueberschwihr• 

Route des Vins 

• Ammerschwihr 

• Eguisheim 

A35 

A L S A C E P L A I N

Samuel Tottoli at Kuentz Bas 

Michel Lihrmann oenologist at Turckheim Co-op 

The best of the vintage by grape 

Pinot Noir 

2009 is an exceptional year for pinot 

noir, the best since 2003 and possibly 

since 1990. And unlike 2003, the 

tannins here are soft and enticing. 

Pinot Noir, Hugel 

Delicious cherry-like fruit. Very pure and 

sweet on the palate and well rounded. 

13.5% 


Pinot Noir, Jubilee, Hugel 

Marc Hugel has reduced the amount of 

barrel ageing in his reds and they are less 

tannic and much more attractive as a result. 

The Jubilee comes from their vines in 

Riquewihr. Concentrated, very rich and full 

flavoured. Outstanding. 2012 to 2018. 14% 

ref AS-AL8641 £19 bottle £228 dozen 

Sylvaner 

This grape is in danger of dying out 

which is a pity as it can produce 

flavoursome and original wines. 

Sylvaner, Vieilles Vignes, 

Dirler-Cadé 

This is full bodied and dry with plenty of 

character and concentration of flavour. 

Good now but will keep well and gain more 

complexity. A great food wine to go with 

pork or duck. Now to 2017. 14% 


KEY 

See page 144 of the April – July List for 

full details on alcohol levels 

bone dry, to intensely sweet 

Muscat 

Exciting wines made from the 

Mediterranean muscat but which 

in Alsace tend to be dry, delicate 

and fragrant. 

Muscat, Réserve, Trimbach 

A lovely, dry, fragrant Muscat and one of the 

best of the vintage. Perfect on its own, or try 

with asparagus. 12% 


Muscat Grand Cru Spiegel, 

Dirler-Cadé 

This has gastronomy in mind and would be 

best with a year in bottle. It is quite rich, full 

flavoured and fat, but with the delicacy of 

the muscat grape showing through. Perfect 

with asparagus served with a Hollandaise 

sauce, or maybe with steamed scallops and 

a sliver of ginger and coriander. 

2012 to 2016. 13% 


Pinot Gris 

In Alsace, pinot gris produces a quite 

distinctive style of wine which has little 

in common with Italian pinot grigio. 

The style here is fuller and richer, 

somewhere between riesling and 

gewurztraminer. It’s a great food wine 

and an ideal match for mushrooms, 

veal, duck or goose. 

Pinot Gris, Cuvée Julien Arthur, 

Domaine Freudenreich 

This is a new supplier who was introduced 

to us by David Ling of Hugel who married 

a Freudenreich. This is an excellent 

full-bodied dry-style pinot gris that’s 

screaming for a veal and mushroom pie. 

Now to 2017. 13.5% 


Pinot Gris, Rotenberg, Domaine 

Zind-Humbrecht 

Full-bodied pinot gris from a vineyard 

located close to the grand cru Hengst 

vineyard. Very ripe and golden and backed 

by good acidity. One to keep. 

2013 to 2024. 14% 


Pinot Gris, Jubilee, Hugel 

This is a dry pinot gris of great finesse and 

length of flavour which will repay keeping. 

2014 to 2022. 13% 


To order thewinesociety.com/alsace ☎ 01438 740222

variety 

Riesling 

Riesling is often the last grape to be picked and benefits hugely from a 

long growing season, as in 2009. Typically the wines taste dry, minerally and 

have plenty of flavour. Great food wines; the best have the ability to age 

well and gracefully. 

Riesling, Hagel, Louis Sipp 

From a single, organically farmed vineyard 

in Ribeauvillé perched high above the town 

on a steep granite slope. Very dry, very pure 

and beautifully balanced. Etienne Sipp is in 

charge of this well-established house that is 

gaining in quality every year. 

2012 to 2018. 12% 


Riesling, Réserve, Trimbach 

Bone-dry riesling which will be better in a 

year’s time. Very precise, minerally, straight 

and pure. All of the fruit again comes from 

around Ribeauvillé with some from 

Trimbach’s own vines. 2012 to 2018. 13% 


Riesling, Tradition, Hugel 

Riquewihr is only a couple of miles away 

from Ribeauvillé but the wines are quite 

different. Rieslings have just a hint of 

roundness and more obvious charm. 

This comes from younger vines from 

Hugel’s own holdings in the grand cru 

Schoenenbourg. The 2009 has real 

distinction. 2012 to 2018. 12% 


Riesling Grand Cru Saering, 

Schlumberger 

Schlumberger own more top-class 

vineyards than anyone else in Alsace. 

The Saering produces a lovely early 

drinking riesling that has much charm 

and the barest hint of roundness. 

A lovely 2009. 2012 to 2019. 12.5% 


Riesling, Les Ecaillers, Léon 

Beyer 

This is a style of riesling that is always good 

with food. Bone dry with quite complex 

flavours that would match sea bass or 

turbot to perfection. 2013 to 2021. 13% 


See over for 

Gewurztraminer 

Riesling, Cuvée Théo, Domaine 

Weinbach 

The Faller ladies made particularly good 

riesling in 2009. This is a lighter cuvée: dry, 

crisp and crystalline. Now to 2018. 13.5% 


Riesling, Jubilee, Hugel 

Hugel’s top riesling comes from the 

grand cru Schoenenbourg vineyard 

overlooking Riquewihr. This is a fine, 

beautifully poised riesling which will 

benefit from another year in bottle. 2012 

to 2022. 13% Magnums also available. 


Magnums of Riesling, 

Jubilee, Hugel 

ref AS-AL9034 £46 magnum £138 per three 

Riesling, Clos Hauserer, 

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 

An outstanding riesling, richly flavoured, 

concentrated and long. There is sweetness 

but it’s in balance and will be integrated 

with bottle age. 2013 to 2022. 13.5% 


Riesling, ‘E’ Rare, Léon Beyer 

The ‘E’ stands for the grand cru vineyard 

Eichberg in Eguisheim. This is probably 

Beyer’s best riesling and I think one of the 

top wines of the vintage. Bone dry and full 

flavoured, very fine with much complexity. 

2013 to 2022. 13.5% 


Riesling Grand Cru Hengst, 

Josmeyer 

Splendid, hugely concentrated and long, 

this is bone dry with all the weight one 

expects from the Hengst vineyard. 

2014 to 2025. 14% 


Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg, 

Cuvée Ste Catherine, Domaine 

Weinbach 

Impeccable, classy and full of charm. 

This will need a little time to be at its best. 

2014 to 2022. 14% 


Riesling Grand Cru Rangen, 

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 

Exquisite, characterful riesling from 

Zind-Humbrecht’s famed Clos St Urbain 

vineyard. 2014 to 2025. 13.5% 


Jean Trimbach 

From left to right Etienne, Jean Philippe and Marc Hugel 

Olivier Humbrecht in his cellar 

Chez Josmeyer, (left to right) Céline, Christophe, Isabelle 

and Jean

Zind Humbrecht cellars 

The grand cru Brand vineyards 

Marc Beyer 

Cave de Turckheim 


The pink-skinned gewurztraminer is the grape most associated with Alsace, 

and gives of its best here. Fragrant with the scent of rose petals for some, lychee 

or nutmeg for others; heady and powerful, this is one of the few wines which 

can keep pace with a full-blown curry. It is also the perfect partner for ripe soft 

cheese such as Alsace’s inimitable Munster. 

Gewurztraminer, Domaine 


Fabulous, bone-dry gewurz showing huge 

character and strength. Will be great with 

food. Now to 2016. 14% 



Freudenreich 

Full, rich and spicy, an excellent 

gewurztraminer with a trace of sweetness 

which would go well with a full-fat 

cheese. Now to 2015. 13.5% 


Gewurztraminer, Trimbach 

A more reserved style of gewurz, dry, 

elegant and fruity with just a touch of 

spice. This could be drunk on its own 

or with a curry. Now to 2016. 14% 


Gewurztraminer, Léon Beyer 

Wonderfully expressive gewurz in 

a dry style and from a ripe vintage. 

Perfect balance and a must for a curry. 

Now to 2015. 13.5% 


Gewurztraminer Grand Cru 

Brand, Cave de Turckheim 

The Turckheim Co-op, one of the best in 

Alsace, controls a good part of the Brand 

hillside and can be relied upon to make 

good gewurz. This is rich and fat with 

some sweetness but nothing that cloys. 

A good cheese wine. Now to 2020. 13.5% 


See the 

back page for 

mixed cases 

Gewurztraminer, Haguenau, 

Domaine Rolly-Gassmann 

Fabulous rich gewurz, intense and 

concentrated in a late-harvest style. 

The fruit quality is wonderful and pure. 

2012 to 2022. 12.5% 


Gewurztraminer, Jubilee, 

Hugel 

Though not stated on the label, the 

Jubilee gewurz always comes from 

Hugel’s own holdings at the heart of 

the grand cru Sporen vineyard. In a vintage 

like 2009 with its lack of water, vineyards 

like Sporen showed their true worth. 

This is outstanding. 2013 to 2024. 14% 

Magnums also available. 


Magnums of Gewurztraminer, 

Jubilee, Hugel 

ref AS-AL9054 £46 magnum £138 per three 

Gewurztraminer, Cuvée 

Laurence, Domaine Weinbach 

Beguiling, fragrant, deeply sensuous 

gewurz, captivating with a hint of 

orange blossom with great purity of fruit. 

Now to 2020. 13.5% 



Rangen, Domaine 


The Rangen is the most southerly vineyard 

in Alsace with a unique soil structure 

with both sedimentary and volcanic rocks 

and very little clay. Despite its southerly 

exposure and steep slope, grapes are 

harvested late and the long growing season 

always gives the wines lots of character. 

Mirabelle plum on the nose, lots of grip 

and some richness too. This will keep well. 

2013 to 2025. 14% 



Hengst, Josmeyer 

Very splendid, powerful, almost 

overwhelming, dry and very long indeed. 

This will need time, but well worth the 

wait. 2014 to 2023. 14.5% 


To order thewinesociety.com/alsace ☎ 01438 740222

The steep Schoenenbourg vineyard 

Old muscat vines 

Grass control with Nikita the horse 

Mixed Cases 

2009 Alsace Riesling 


A six-bottle case containing one bottle 

each of the following: 


Riesling, Hagel, Louis Sipp 

Riesling, Réserve, Trimbach 

Riesling, Les Ecaillers, Léon Beyer 


Schlumberger 

Riesling, Cuvée Théo, Domaine 

Weinbach 

2009 Alsace 



A six-bottle case containing one bottle 






Freudenreich 

Gewurztraminer, Trimbach 


Brand, Cave de Turckheim 

Gewurztraminer, Léon Beyer 

The Society’s Guarantee 

2009 Alsace Mixed 

Dozen 

ref AS-MX11125 at £129 

Saving £10.10. 

Drinking wine bought from The Wine Society should be a pleasurable experience. If at any time 

you are dissatisfied, we would like to hear from you. Contact us and we will be pleased to help. 

A 12-bottle case containing one bottle 


Pinot Noir, Hugel 

The Society’s Vin d’Alsace, Hugel 


Muscat, Réserve, Trimbach 



Pinot Gris Sec, Cave de Turckheim 




Pinot Gris, Cuvée Julien Arthur, 

Domaine Freudenreich 


Schlumberger 

Sylvaner, Vieilles Vignes, 

Dirler-Cadé 

This offer is open until Sunday 19th June, 2011 while stocks last. 

To order thewinesociety.com/alsace ☎ 01438 740222 

twitter.com/TheWineSociety societygrapevine.com 

Registered as: The International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society Limited, 

Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2BT 

Register Number 1824R(IP) 

Website thewinesociety.com 

Enquiries 01438 741177 

Orders 01438 740222 

facebook.com/TheWineSociety

colmar - The Wine Society

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