What I Learned

Alsace wines are varietal wines (excepting the Edelzwickers), and of these, only one is a red wine. That wine is from the Pinot Noir varietal. Alsatian Pinot Noir wines are not generally well known. Alsatian Pinot Noir wines tend to be lighter, but very fruit-forward Pinot Noir wines. They are, of course, different from Burgundian Pinot Noir wines, from which tradition they derive. Early in the 12th century monks from Burgundy headed into Alsace, bringing vine plantings with them. When they arrived around Mont Sainte Odile (site of an early Merovingian foundation), they successfully transplanted their vines on the lower, sunny slopes.

Over time, the red wine from that area became well known, and today is often bottled as Rouge d’Ottrott (Ottrott Red). Ottrott is one of three villages, along with Saint Hippolyte and Rodern, (and one site: the slopes of Rouffach) whose Appellation Alsace Controlee red wines are allowed to include their commune name on the label. But red is not the only color here. Under the Appellation Alsace Controlee rules, vintners may process their Pinot Noir grapes as either a red or rose wine.

Of all AOC Alsace wine production, only about 8 per cent is red wine. However, Pinot Noir harvests are not destined solely for red wine production. A considerable amount of Alsace’s Pinot Noir harvest is dedicated to the production of sparkling wines. The delicious Alsatian cremants (sparkling wines – both white and rose) often use a percentage of Pinot Noir in the blends.

 

What I Tasted

2014 Pinot Noir, Rouge d’Ottrott, AOC Alsace Tradition; Eber (Bischoffsheim): A dry red wine with dark reddish purple color; fruity nose, with a trace of prune; flavors of prunes, spices and red berries; high tannins, but smooth overall.

2014 Pinot Noir, Rouge d’Ottrott, Jean-Charles Vonville et Fils (Ottrott): A dry red wine with light red color; slight cherry nose, with cherry flavor and a trace of pepper on the finish; medium-high tannins, smooth.

2013 Pinot Noir, Rouge d’Ottrott, Jean-Charles Vonville et Fils (Ottrott): A dry red wine with light red color; slight fruit nose, with red fruit flavors; medium high tannins.

2013 Pinot Noir, Rouge d’Ottrott, Stephane, Jean-Charles Vonville et Fils (Ottrott): A dry red wine with medium red color; cherry and spice nose; cherry, spice and smoke flavors; medium-low tannins, very smooth overall.

2012 Pinot Noir, Rouge de Saint Hippolyte, Appellation Alsace Controlee, Domaine du Windmuehl (St Hippolyte): A dry red wine with medium-dark red color; a tobacco nose, with ripe Bing cherry, oak and vanilla flavors; strong tannins.

2012 Pinot Noir, F, AOC Alsace, Beck-Hartweg (Dambach-la-Ville) – A dry red wine with an opaque, dark red color; fruity nose, with notes of red berry and smoke; raised in wood casks.

2011 Pinot Noir, Cuvee Tradition, Appellation Alsace Controlee; Domaine Fritsch (Marlenheim): A dry red wine with dark red brick color; tobacco, vegetal nose, with cherry smoke and oak flavors, mild tannins and overall rather smooth.