Domaine Zind-Humbrecht : Riesling Grand cru "Brand" 2022

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Riesling Grand cru "Brand" 2022 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Tasting

Appearance
This white wine displays a bright, pale yellow colour with subtle green or golden highlights.

Nose
Remarkably precise, the bouquet opens with mineral aromas of wet stone typical of its terroir. With aeration, it reveals notes of white fruit and citrus such as lemon zest, along with delicate floral and spicy touches.

Palate
The palate offers a texture that is both voluptuous and taut. Bone dry, this wine stands out for its mineral, saline backbone, carried by lovely acidity and stretching into a long finish with hints of grapefruit.

Food and wine pairings

This fine white wine pairs beautifully with seafood, such as sushi, shellfish or delicate fish. It also goes very well with Asian cuisine, white meats in creamy sauces, and aged cheeses such as Comté, Parmesan or goat's cheese.

Serving and cellaring

To fully appreciate this Riesling Grand cru "Brand" 2022, serve it between 8 and 10°C, taking care to decant it or open it at least half an hour before tasting. It can be cellared and enjoyed from 2026 until around 2047.

The pure expression of a great Alsace terroir by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

The estate

Officially founded in 1959 following the union of two winegrowing families, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht is a true benchmark in Alsace. Based in Turckheim, the estate covers some forty hectares spread across prestigious terroirs. Today, it is run by Olivier Humbrecht, Master of Wine, and his wife Margaret. A pioneer and role model in environmentally friendly viticulture, the estate stands out for its deep commitment to biodynamics, certified since 2002, with the aim of expressing the unique identity of each plot.

The vineyard

The Grand Cru Brand, located on the heights above Turckheim, is a warm, early-ripening terroir that has been renowned since the 17th century. The vines, 72 years old on average, thrive on a steep, due-south-facing slope of decomposed biotite granite. This poor, free-draining soil forces the vines to root deeply. The vineyard is farmed according to biodynamic principles, promoting biodiversity, the use of organic composts and soil cultivation with the help of animals.

The vintage

2022 was marked by generally hot, dry weather. Although flowering was difficult, naturally limiting yields, a welcome storm in mid-August brought much-needed rain. This water helped prevent water stress and kick-started the ripening of the berries once again. Spared by the hail that struck other areas, the plots yielded grapes of perfect physiological ripeness, preserving the fine balance and optimal acidity of this Alsace wine.

Vinification and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand, then moved by gravity to preserve their integrity. Fermentation started spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. Particularly slow, it consumed almost all the sugars, resulting in a resolutely dry profile without any chaptalisation. The wine was then aged for a long period on its lees in large traditional wooden foudres before being bottled in January 2024.

Grape variety

100% Riesling