Mélanie Pfister : Riesling "Tradition" 2012

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Riesling "Tradition" 2012 from Mélanie Pfister

Tasting

Appearance

Pale yellow in color, the wine is bright with golden highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals delicate aromas of lemon and grapefruit, accompanied by subtle floral notes of chamomile and citrus zest.

Palate

On the palate, this dry wine displays a lively acidity and a tight mineral texture. The lemon and grapefruit flavors linger, accompanied by notes of white peach and green apple. The finish stretches out with characteristic mineral and citrusy accents.

Food and wine pairings

This dry, gastronomic Riesling pairs perfectly with seafood, grilled fish or fish in a light sauce, as well as poultry and white meats. It also goes beautifully with choucroute garnie, tarte flambée and fresh goat cheese.

Serving and storage

The Riesling "Tradition" 2012 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 46 and 50°F.

A full-bodied, mineral Riesling from Alsace by Domaine Mélanie Pfister

The estate

Tracing its origins back to 1780 in Dahlenheim, Mélanie Pfister represents eight generations of winemakers in Alsace. Mélanie Pfister, who took over the estate in 2006, now cultivates ten hectares of vines spread across forty-three plots. Trained at prestigious estates such as Zind-Humbrecht, Méo-Camuzet and Château d'Yquem, she manages the vineyard according to the principles of certified organic farming since 2021 and biodynamics. The estate prioritizes quality and the pure expression of its terroirs.

The vineyard

The vines for the Riesling "Tradition" are planted on the hillsides of Dahlenheim, in the northern part of the Bas-Rhin in Alsace, west of Strasbourg. The terroir is primarily composed of marls and limestone, notably Muschelkalk dating from the Middle Triassic. This northern location, less sheltered by the Vosges than southern Alsace, benefits from a cooler climate that favors elegance and minerality in the Rieslings. The vines are managed in an environmentally responsible manner, without herbicides, with cover crops tailored to each plot.

The vintage

The 2012 vintage proved to be excellent for Alsace. After a warm and steady August, a cool and dry September helped preserve the natural acidity of the grapes while achieving optimal ripeness. These climatic conditions favored healthy harvests, free from disease pressure, allowing the production of Rieslings with great aromatic purity and beautiful freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The Riesling "Tradition" 2012 is vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. Fermentation is carried out to complete dryness, with no apparent residual sugar. The wine is then aged on fine lees for nearly a year before bottling. This winemaking approach preserves the purity of the grape variety and the mineral expression of the limestone terroir.

Grape variety

100% Riesling