Lucien Albrecht Alsace Wine Tasting at WWWB

“Wine had such ill effects on Noah’s health that it was all he could do to live 950 years. Show me a total abstainer that ever lived that long.”

Will Rogers

The wines of Alsace are just as good and some just as age worthy as those of Bordeaux and Burgundy but for some reason many collectors don’t even have a bottle of these great wines in their collection. 

Come and experience some of the greatest white wines on earth along with a tasting menu that will be a food and wine epiphany.  This is a seated tasting and is limited to 16 tasters, the fee for this event is $65 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com

Lucien Albrecht Alsace Wine Tasting at WWWB
with Special Guest Etienne Godard, Director of Export
Thursday, April 12, 2018
7:30 PM

Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace Rose
Price: $19.75       Sale $17.38

The grapes are hand picked. The whole cluster Pinot Noir grapes are directly pressed in a pneumatic press with a long and soft pressing, hence the coral/light pink salmon color. Cremant Rosé is made by the Champagne Methode. The second fermentation takes place in the bottle. Afterwards it stays on its lees for 9 months follow by the remuage and disgorging.

Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace Brut
Price: $19.75       Sale $17.38

Lucien Albrecht, Jean's father, pioneered Crémant production in 1971 and helped gain an Appellation Contrôlêe for the wine and for Alsace. The wines vinified by the classic Champagne Method from 100% free run juice, are the best sparkling wines in France outside of Champagne itself. Recently Maison Lucien Albrecht was awarded four gold medals at a comprehensive National I.N.A.O. tasting of all sparkling wines in France, giving the firm more gold medals than any other Crémant producer in France.

Lucien Albrecht Pinot Gris Alsace                                                    
Price: $17.25       Sale $15.18

Yellow gold color with other highlights. As its name indicates in French, Pinot Gris is a gray varietal with white fruit showing smokiness, developing opulence and distinctive characteristics. The nose is complex and reveals aromas of apricot, hazelnut, and toast. The palate is supple and gourmand with a great balance on yellow fruit notes.

Lucien Albrecht Pinot Blanc Alsace
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86

Pale yellow with golden hints. Refined nose of orchard fruit aromas (peach, pear and Mirabelle plum). The straightforward attack, supple, and fresh. The finish reveals flavors of white peach and wildflowers.

Lucien Albrecht Riesling Alsace                                                     
Price: $17.25       Sale $15.18

Riesling Reserve is made from their best selection of this noble varietal. The wine is distinguished by a piercing and beautiful aroma suggesting spring flowers. The wine is bone dry and delicious. The Riesling is considered the signature wine of the Albrecht family. Quick, floral and mineral smell, it reveals itself slightly spiced and elegant in the mouth.

Lucien Albrecht Gewurztraminer                                        
Price: $19.75       Sale $17.38

Golden  yellow  hints.  The  Gewurztraminer  varietal  is  pink  with  white  fruit  and  juice.  Bursting  with  the  aroma  of  honey,  red  roses,  and  exotic fruit (passion, pineapple, litchi), yet dry and rich on the palate, well-balanced,  good  persistence,  finishing  with  spicy  notes  (pepper,  cinnamon).

Lucien Albrecht Pinot Gris Pfinstarg Grand Cru            
Price: $35.00       Sale $30.80

All the grape varieties of this Grand Cru have a remarkable typicity. The Pinot Gris puts in relief the ash note of the soil. The Pfingstberg wines show an impressive aging capacity. Their ability to remain focused and tense throughout the ages gives them a form of timelessness.

Lucien Albrecht Riesling Pfingstarg Grand Cru                     
Price: $31.75       Sale $27.94

The Lucien Albrecht Grands Crus vineyards are found in the south of Alsace, in a handful of communities neighboring Orschwihr. Lucien Albrecht Alsace Grands Crus feature a dry, full-bodied character; they are both robust and graceful, due to their atypical planting on unique terroirs.

The village of Orschwihr nestles in a pretty little valley dominated by the southeastern-facing Pfingstberg hillside, rising from 270 to 370 meters (885 to 1200 feet). The soil, essentially of chalky sandstone and micaceous sandstone, confers a marked typicity to the wines and develops floral aromas of the varieties best suited to the terrain, such as Pinot Gris and Riesling.

Lucien Albrecht Gewurztraminer Spiegel Grand Cru
Price: $36.00       Sale $31.68

The Alsace Grand Cru Spiegel is located in the towns of Bergholtz and Guebwiller, not far from Orschwihr. On a moderate slope rising from 260 to 315 meters (850 to just over 1000 feet), facing eastward, it enjoys an almost Mediterranean climate. The soil of conglomerate substrates has a sandy-clay texture with good water-retaining characteristics, yielding a Gewurztraminer that is persistent, with finesse and raciness on the palate.

Menu

Selection of Charcuterie

Mushroom Popcorn with lemon Lime Aioli

Salmon Carpaccio with grapefruit citrus segments and lavender aioli

Vietnamese Pork Belly Bunk with Spicy Kimshee

The fee for this tasting is $65 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

A bit about Lucien Albrecht:

Lucien Albrecht is one of the most distinguished and long standing brands in Alsace. Regarded as a pioneer of viticulture, beginning in 1425 when Romanus Albrecht started the winery, Albrecht is responsible for many advancements and innovations in the region, such as being one of the three founding fathers of the regulated Crémant d'Alsace. Albrecht’s goal is to always “respect the grapes” and to respect nature. Albrecht believes Alsace is truly one of the most versatile and exciting white wine producing regions in the world and looks to share their unique terroir thru their outstanding wines,the wines are perfect examples of the Albrecht style in each varietal and the pinnacle of Alsace quality.

Seventy miles long and two miles wide, Alsace is a beautiful, picturesque region situated along the border of France and Germany, nestled between the Voges Mountains and the Rhine River. These landmarks give Alsace an ideal climate for the white grapes that have become the mainstays of the region. Pinot Noir is also grown, with plantings of the grape increasing with consumer demand for red wine.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Alsace underwent a territorial tug-of-war, bouncing from France to Germany and back to France again at the end of the first World War. While the French led the renaissance of fine wine production in the 20th century, Alsacians have integrated both French and German influences in their wine. Alsacian wines are mostly white, with Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer leading the plantings. Pinot Blanc, Muscat and Sylvaner are also popular varietals. The bottles are flute-shaped, like many German wines, and the type of grape is clearly placed on the wine's label – quite unlike the typical French practice of labeling wines by region.

Begining in 2013, Albrecht is being overseen by one of the largest and most respected Alsace producers, Wolfberger. Wolfberger is a cooperative cellar founded in 1902 and is a 100% producer and not a negociant. They oversee over 3,087 acres and 450 wine estates. Albrecht and Wolfberger’s businesses are very complimentary to one another. Together- Albrecht and Wolfberger are, “Respectful of the Past and Ambitious for the Future.” A new page but the story continues...

Alsace wines have four noble varieties: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat. These are the only varietals allowed in the 50 Alsacian Grand Cru wines. Pinot Blanc, while not noble, is key in making many of the Cremant d'Alsace (sparkling wines) and is found in many Alsace AC blends. Most of the wines from the region are dry – with steely acidity and round fruit flavors, typically more full bodied (aka, more alcohol) than their German counterparts.
Riesling Reserve is made from their best selection of this noble varietal. The wine is distinguished by a piercing and beautiful aroma suggesting spring flowers. The wine is bone dry and delicious. The Riesling is considered the signature wine of the Albrecht family.  Quick, floral and mineral smell, it reveals itself slightly spiced and elegant in the mouth.