Domaine Jean-Marc Bernhard Riesling

Domaine Jean-Marc Bernhard 2013 Schlossberg Grand Cru Riesling

Alsace, France

Riesling Grand Cru from Alsace is so special and sought after… Why? Combine the 400 meters altitude, the steep slopes along the foothills of the Vosges Mountains or the fact that it gets about 3 times less rainfall than Bordeaux? NOTE- it has the countries largest underground water reserve (but irrigation isn’t permitted) so the vines have to work extra hard and dig very deep for water. All of these factors along with centuries of history, tradition in winemaking shape the wines to be spectacular.

Domaine Bernard are a 9th generation winemaking family recently certified organic. The traditions of farming the 27 acres of old vines planted in pure granite soils have the stunning Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. Their wines are pure, clean and full of verve.

The wine pours into the glass a bright gold color. It bristles with a classic mineral tension on the nose along with round and ripe stone fruit, honeysuckle, honey and citrus zest profile. The clean mouthfeel is crisp and truly rich in flavor - honeyed goodness of honey, honeysuckle and honey ripe apricots, lime and lemon pith, white flowers, wet stones, saline and ginger. The acidity is linear and sharp, textural deliciousness and truly well balanced, not to mention the lower alcohol spectrum of 12%.

This beauty went down like nobody’s business with comforting chicken stew.