Visit to Alsace and Moselle, July 2012, part 1

As I was leaving my driveway and coasted toward the highway on Sunday July 1, a gentle, summery shower greeted me. You see, we Belgians tend to be gentle to the elements, for reasons that readers accustomed with our capricious weather will understand. This trip was bound for the wine regions of Alsace and Mosel, where I had made appointments with some of my suppliers, mainly to taste how their 2011 vintage is shaping up. Additionally, I wanted to explore some domaines that had recently caught my attention.

Domaine Audrey et Christian Binner, Ammerschwir (Haut Rhin)

Prior to heading for the highlight of my first day, Domaine Ostertag in Epfig, I had planned a few stopovers. The first one was at Domaine Audrey et Christian Binner, where I was received by Binner’s sister.

The Binners practice organic viticulture and winemaking, meaning they work as naturally as possible both in their vineyards as well as in their cellars. To succeed in this, an utmost respect for the vines and the entire eco-system that embraces them is required. It is about working ‘with’ nature, instead of ‘against’ it. This is no mean feat, as working naturally requires a lot of labor, discipline, attention and a strictly minimal intervention.

Visit to Alsace and Moselle, July 2012, part 2

Weingut Franz Josef Eifel, Trittenheim (Mosel)

Early next day, I left for the Mosel valley, where I had a late morning appointment at Weingut Franz Josef Eifel in Trittenheim. The Mittelmosel sub-region produces the finest wines of the entire Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wine region.

I fell under the spell of Riesling back in 2003, as I was enjoying a bottle of Riesling Spätlese Alte Reben at the Waldhotel Sonnora in Dreis. Boy, did we love that wine! It turned out the winemaker lived a mere 20 km away. And so I was keen to meet the man behind the label, and made an appointment. A very passionate and enthusiastic person managed the property. He made time for us and treated us to an incredible tasting, which spanned numerous styles and vintages. It dawned on me that this had to be a very special Weingut. And thus began my relationship with Riesling. Oh and… the name on that bottle was: Franz Josef Eifel. Needless to say that, since then, we have repeated the same tasting year after year.

Eifel's showpiece is the Riesling Trittenheimer Apotheke vineyard. This vineyard together with the Trittenheimer Altärchen belongs to the most famous vineyards in the Mosel. It is a fantastic terroir located on a Steillage (steep hillside).