Gewürztraminer – Eugene Klipfel
Gewurztraminer is Alsace’s most distinctive grape variety, capable of producing many styles, from dry to sweet. Klipfel’s is demi-sec.
The Gewurztraminer vineyards stretch from Bas-Rhin to Haut-Rhin, between the Vosges mountains and the Alsace plain, from Marlenheim in the north to Thann in the south – 120km long and 4km in width. The terroirs are very different from each other, with limestone predominating. Each terroir brings a unique typicity to the grapes.
Traditional vinification: grapes harvested at perfect ripeness, temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation. The wine is then racked, filtered and bottled.
Whatever the sweetness, Gewurztraminer d’Alsace is much appreciated for the richness of its bouquet, and a full-bodied robustness. It develops aromas of honey or exotic fruits and goes very well with desserts, cheeses and exotic cuisines. It is an excellent aperitif – unless it’s ‘Vendage Tardives’ ( ‘late harvest’) which are dessert wines worthy of ageing.
An intense golden yellow hue, typical of the variety, with a delicate fragrance of rose petals and exotic fruits such as lychee. A well-balanced wine with a long finish. The palate mirrors the nose – lychee, exotic fruit – with a nice balancing crispness on the finish.
Excellent as an aperitif. The rich aromas and sweetness go particularly well with spicy dishes, strong cheeses or foie gras.
About the Producer
Eugene Klipfel
Martin Klipfel created the Klipfel Domain in 1824, which is now a family estate covering 40Ha. In 1830 he acquired the prestigious Clos Zisser, part of their 7.2Ha of Grand Cru vineyards.
His son Eugène and grandson Louis Klipfel bought significant growth to the family business. They were amongst the first to start producing «Vendanges Tardives» (late harvests) and «Sélection de Grains Nobles» (selection of noble grapes) as early as 1921 on the Clos Zisser and on the Kirchberg of Barr, more than sixty years before the official appellation of these two vineyards.
Further developed by André Lorentz (former member of the Académie du vin de France, the renowned Academy of French wines), the family business is today the largest merchant house in Barr and run by Jean-Louis Lorentz-Klipfel and his daughters Anne-Sophie, Marie and Amélie.
