Alsace.Jura Producers

Question 1

Zind-Hubrecht: History

Answer 1

Located in Turckheim. Vinegrowers since 1620; vinification at the domaine began in 1947. Zind was merged onto Humbrecht in 1959. Currently run by Olivier Humbrecht MW, biodynamic pioneer.

Question 2

Zind-Humbrecht: Vineyards

Answer 2

40 hectares between Gueberschwihr, Wintzenheim, Turkheim, Hunawihr, and Thann.
Grand Crus: 
Goldert (Gueberschwihr)
Hengst (Wintzenheim)
Brand (Turkheim)
Rangen (Thann)
Single Vineyards: Rotenberg - abuts Hengst, Clos Häuserer (Wintzenheim), Herrenweg, Clos Jebsal, Heimbourg - abuts Brand (Turkheim), Clos Windsbuhl (Hunawihr)

Question 3

Zind-Humbrecht: Monopoles

Answer 3

Clos Windsbuhl
Clos Häuserer (at the foot of Hengst)
Clos Jebsal (abuts Brand)

Question 4

What is the name of Zind-Humbrecht’s sugar measuring scale, and how does it work?

Answer 4

Indice (in-di-see)
1-5, with 1 being driest.

Question 5

Where is Trimbach, and when was it founded?

Answer 5

Ribeauvillé
Founded 1626 in Riquewihr

Question 6

Trimbach: Vineyards

Answer 6

Clos Saint Hune: 1.67ha monopole within Rosacker (Hunawihr)
Geisberg
Osterberg
(both Ribeauvillé)

Question 7

Trimbach House Style: Sweet or Dry?

Answer 7

Generally very dry, except the VT and SGN
(Cuvée Frédéric Emile is produced as VT and SGN)

Question 8

Is Clos Saint Hune ever produced as VT?

Answer 8

1959
1989
ONLY

Question 9

Where is Boxler, and when was it founded?

Answer 9

Niedermorschwihr
1673; domaine bottling began in 1946 with Albert Boxler.

Question 10

What is unique about Boxler’s Grand Cru bottlings?

Answer 10

They bottle subplots, designated by the first initial of that block on the label (e.g. Sommerberg “E”)

Question 11

Boxler: Vineyards & Top Wines

Answer 11

Sommerberg (Niedermorschwihr): 
Dudenstein (riesling), Eckberg (riesling), Wiptal (pinot gris)
Brand (Turkheim): Kirchberg (riesling)
Also varietal wines from Sommerberg and Brand, no subplot designation, as well as SGN and VT.

Question 12

Where is Weinbach? When and by whom was it founded?

Answer 12

Kayserberg
The Order of Capuchin monks in 1612.

Question 13

Weinbach: Farming Philosophy

Answer 13

Biodynamic 
Conversion began in 1998; completed by 2005

Question 14

Weinbach: Vineyards

Answer 14

-Clos des Capuchins (low on the slope, silt over granite, all varieties, produces Cuvée Theo)
-Schlossberg GC, Kayserberg (1st GC in Alsace, grauwacke/sandstone/shale, Riesling, produces Cuvée Sainte Catherine)
-Furstentum GC, Sigolsheim (highest elevation for Weinbach, calcaire, Gewurztraminer)
-Mambourg GC, Sigolsheim (limstone/calcareous marl, Gewurz, often VT/SGN)
-Altenbourg (downslope from Furstentum, limestone/clay, PG/Gewurz)
-Cuvée Laurence Vineyard (below Altenbourg, limestone/clay, PG/Gewurz)
-Mackrain GC, Bennwihr/Sigolsheim (limestone/marl, Gewurz, 1st vintag 2005)

Question 15

What is L’Inédit!?

Answer 15

A bottling of riesling Cuvée Sainte Catherine (Schlossberg). Harvested in one pick (no tries), generally botrytized, and bottled with 20-30g/L RS. First vintage 1998.

Question 16

What is Quintessence?

Answer 16

Weinbach’s prestige SGN, picked berry by berry. First vintage 1983.

Question 17

Deiss: Farming Philosophy

Answer 17

Biodynamic since 2003

Question 18

Deiss: “Classifications”

Answer 18

Vins de Fruit (single variety)
Vins de Terroir (field blends)
Vins de Temps (late harvest)

Question 19

Deiss: Vineyards

Answer 19

Mambourg GC (Sigolsheim)
Altenberg de Bergheim GC (Bergheim)
Schoenenbourg GC (Riquewihr/Zellenberg)

Question 20

Ganevat: viticulture & winemaking

Answer 20

Former maitre de chai at Jean-Marc Morey; Burgundian influence.
Biodynamic viticulture (since 1999)
Destemming by hand. Fermented and aged in tronconic demi-muids. Indigenous yeast fermentations. 
2 years of elevage for whites, 1 year for reds.
No sulphur.

Question 21

Ganevat: (Top?) Wines

Answer 21

-Cuvée J’en Veux (VDF): 18 ancient varieties, all franc de pied. First vintage 2004.
-Plein Sud: Trousseau, 60yo vines on marl and scree
-Cuvée Julien: Pinot Noir, 35yo vines on clay/limestone, named for the grandfather
-Les Chalasses Vieilles Vignes: chardonnay planted in 1902.
-Cuvée de Garde Sous Voile: 50/50 Chard/Savagnin, 5 years under voile
-Chateau Chalon, Vin Jaune, Macvin, Cremant

Question 22

Puffeney: winemaking

Answer 22

Reds: fermented in cuve, aged in foudre for 24-30mos
Whites: aged in foudre and barrique without topping, 2-6 years (6yr bottlings are usually vin jaune that is declassified or rerouted)
No fining or filtering

Question 23

Puffeney: Wines

Answer 23

Chardonnay
Melon Queue Rouge
Cuvée Sacha (2/3 Chard, 1/3 Savagnin)
Savagnin
Poulsard
Poulsard “M” (all fruit from Montigny-les-Asures, Puffeney’s home village)
Trousseau
Pinot Noir
Vin de Paille (Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard)
Vin Jaune

Question 24

Puffeney: Final Vintage

Answer 24

2014
Vineyards go to Domaine de Pélican

Question 25

Overnoy: Philosophy/Winemaking

Answer 25

Natural wine pioneer. Meticulous vineyard work. Emphasis on cleanliness in the winery and temperature control.
All barrels are topped up except for vin jaune.
No sulphur added since 1986.

Question 26

Overnoy: Wax

Answer 26

White for Chardonnay
Yellow for Savagnin
Green for Chard/Savagnin blend.
Poulssard is the only red (no trousseau)
All wines bottled as Arbois-Pupillin.