What I Learned

Alsace is a fascinating place. From a watery world filled with tributaries to the tributaries of the Rhine River, to the foothills covered with vines, to the tree-covered mountains of the Vosges, all lie within less than 18 kilometers/10 miles of each other. The valley area, sheltered from Atlantic weather to the west, and continental weather to the east, has optimal conditions for growing cool weather grapes.

Selestat was at one time one of the most important towns in Alsace. So, not surprisingly, monks founded the Abbey of Ebermunster on the Ill, less than 10 kilometers/6 miles downriver. But both places are in the water-rich plains of Alsace, where grapes will not grow. The monks therefore acquired lands for vineyards in the hills behind Selestat, and one of these plots became known as the Praelatenberg, or Prelate’s Hill.

The Praelatenberg Grand Cru, on the hill behind the village of Kintzheim, is one of 51 Grand Cru vineyards in Alsace, Vines have been worked here for over 1000 years. While the water-filled plains between Selestat and the Praelatenberg are quite close by, on the Praelatenberg slope the rainfall is rather low, among the lowest in Alsace. It is also in the lowest quarter percentile of size for Alsatian Grands Crus (only 18.7 hectares/46 acres). Its vines, facing southeast and east on a steep slope, with granite and gneiss soils, produce mostly Riesling and Gewuerztraminer, in almost equal parts (about 43 and 42 percent respectively).

 

What I Tasted

2016 Pinot Gris, Lieu-Dit Hahnenberg, Appellation Alsace Controlee, Domaine Koehly (Kintzheim): A dry white wine with medium plus gold color, with a hint of green; slight mineral nose, with green wood, spice, toasted nuts and smoke flavors; medium plus acidity.

2016 Auxerrois, Appellation Alsace Controlee, Domaine Koehly: A dry white wine with medium plus gold color; a slight floral nose, with floral, spice flavors; medium acidity.

2016 Riesling, Appellation Alsace Controlee, Domaine Koehly: A dry white wine with medium gold color; slight turpentine and citrus nose and flavors, medium plus acidity.

2014 Gewuerztraminer, Appellation Grand Cru Praelatenberg Controlee, Domaine Bleger (Orschwiller): A dry white wine with dark minus gold color; floral nose, with exotic fruits, spice and roses, hint of minerality, medium acidity