23 February 2012

DELICIOUS BEYOND BELIEF

This was the star wine in a line up of seven amazing Alsatian white wines we enjoyed last night at a special Alsace dinner at the excelent French restaurant Ile de France in Newmarket. (See my blog for more)

A few years ago we were lucky enough to spend a week in this lovely region of France and scored an invitation to the cellars of Marcel Deiss in Bergheim. Many regard this house as the most eccentric of the region, known for wines that don't conform to the general style of Alsace. Rather than make wine that can be clearly labelled riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris, pinot blanc etc, Deiss produce what they call "field blends." In other words they take their top grapes, mix them up in tank and produce something quite out of the ordinary.

A simply splendid idea when it's as stunning as the Marcel Deiss 1er Cru Engelgarten 2007. It was smooth as silk, fruity, clean and clear and if you want any you'll have to twist the arms of Jean-Christophe and Scott at Maison Vauron in Newmarket. Good luck!