Domaine Trapet : Pinot Gris Sonnenglanz Grand cru 2018

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for the Pinot Gris Sonnenglanz Grand Cru 2018 from Domaine Trapet

Tasting

Color

The color shows an intense golden hue, reflecting the richness of the vintage and the full ripeness of the pinot gris.

Nose

The nose reveals lovely aromatic complexity, with notes of exotic fruits and white fruits. Hints of citrus emerge—particularly bergamot and zest—alongside stone fruits such as quince and mirabelle plum, complemented by touches of exotic spices.

Palate

The palate is warm and generous, offering a fine balance between power and finesse. Full-bodied and broad, it is driven by a strong mineral expression characteristic of Sonnenglanz’s limestone terroir. The overall impression shows fine structure and a complexity that invites mindful, respectful enjoyment.

Food and wine pairings

This pinot gris pairs ideally with trout au bleu, whose delicacy harmonizes perfectly with the wine’s minerality. It also matches beautifully with a fish carpaccio enhanced with lime. More broadly, this wine elevates noble fish, refined seafood, and poultry in sauce.

Serving and cellaring

The Pinot Gris Sonnenglanz Grand Cru 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature of 11 to 12°C. This wine offers remarkable aging potential and can be cellared until around 2038, during which time it will continue to develop its aromatic complexity.

A powerful, mineral-driven Alsace Grand Cru from Domaine Trapet

The estate

The Domaine Trapet embodies a family winemaking story spanning seven generations. Founded around 1870 in Burgundy by Louis Trapet, the estate expanded to Alsace in 2002 when Andrée Trapet, an Alsatian winegrower, took over the family vineyards in Riquewihr. Married to Jean-Louis Trapet, she converted the entire Alsace estate to biodynamic farming, earning Demeter certification. Today, Jean-Louis runs the Burgundy estate, while Andrée—together with her sons Pierre and Louis—manages the 12 hectares in Alsace spread across Riquewihr and Beblenheim, including four prestigious Grands Crus. Domaine Trapet stands out for its pioneering commitment to biodynamic viticulture and its minimalist winemaking philosophy aimed at the pure expression of terroir.

The vineyard

The Sonnenglanz Grand Cru lies on the northwestern slopes above the village of Beblenheim, at an altitude ranging from 220 to 270 meters. Its south-southeast exposure optimizes sunshine throughout the growing season. The terroir is characterized by calcareous-marl soils composed of limestone pebbles from Oligocene marine deposits, interwoven with marl-limestone formations. These geological substrates give the wines an intense minerality and remarkable structure. The particularly dry climate in this area, with less than 500 millimeters of annual rainfall, concentrates aromas and heightens the mineral expression. The vineyard is farmed biodynamically with Biodyvin and Demeter certification, with practices including high-density plantings and the use of traditional stakes.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in Alsace stood out for favorable weather conditions. The year enjoyed a mild climate that allowed for optimal grape ripening. The berries’ exceptional health enabled early harvesting, resulting in outstanding wines across the region.

Winemaking and aging

The Pinot Gris Sonnenglanz Grand Cru 2018 is made using a non-interventionist approach favoring indigenous yeasts. Fermentation takes place in a range of carefully selected vessels, including traditional large oak casks, temperature-controlled tanks, and acacia barrels, chosen according to the characteristics of the vintage and the terroir. Aging lasts between 12 and 24 months, allowing the wine to fully develop its aromatic complexity and mineral expression while preserving the purity of the fruit.

Grape variety

100% pinot gris