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Domaine Riefle Wine Dinner

April 17, 7:00 p.m. $70 per person 

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The Riefle family has been making wine in Alsace for over 160 years, through two world wars and the development of Alsace as an internationally recognized wine region. Currently, Annick and Jean Claude Riefle are in charge of the domaine.

 

Since the 1980s, Annick and Jean-Claude Rieflé, surrounded by a team of passionate collaborators, seized the opportunities created by the European Union and the beginnings of globalization to discover the Alsace of the area to new consumers. Their two sons, Thomas and Paul, joined the estate in 2009 and 2010. Thomas manages the vineyard and Paul is in charge of development.

 

The two brothers, sensitive to the humanist and citizen values ​​and confronted to the realities of a global market, decided to concretely apply the famous quote of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: "we do not inherit the land of our ancestors, we borrows it from our children ".

 

They have therefore evolved and certified the entire vineyard according to the specifications of Organic Agriculture. In addition to respecting the soil, flora, fauna and health, organic farming is also the right tool for wines to express the characteristics of the many soils that Domaine Rieflé enjoys.

 

STEINERT literally refers to the stony nature of the terroir. It lies opposite the Alsace plain, the Rhine and the Black Forest and faces towards the rising sun. The hard, homogeneous, dry and filtering soil sits directly on the oolithic limestone bedrock which is partially visible on the surface. Oolites are small spherical grains, shaped like fish eggs, that were formed on the surface of the rocks by marine microfossils. Wines from the Steinert vineyards are characterized by their powerful structure combined with a subtle finesse and underlying menthol notes.

 

2011 Pinot Gris

 

The Steinert Grand Cru produces some of the most distinct pinot gris in Alsace. This Grand Cru Steinert Pinot Gris opens up with an expressive bouquet of zesty yellow fruits such as pineapple and mango. Although smooth in texture, the limestone terroir imparts a fresh and acidic structure which is accentuated by candied notes of quince and fig on the end palate. This particular bottling has expressive notes of honey and green apple that have developed as the bottle has aged.

 

2014 Riesling

 

This 2014 Grand Cru Steinert Riesling opens with pleasant herbal and lemony aromas along with yellow stone fruit flavors and a touch of honey and caramel. It is full-bodied, intense and juicy, with white nectarines and some dried and candied fruit flavors on the palate. This dry, very mineral and firmly structured wine has good sign for an excellent aging potential and further development.

 

Cremant d’Alsace

Domaine Riefle Crémant parcels are generally situated on deep, predominantly sedimentary loess soils which produce very ripe grapes (particularly in Drotfeld). The other parcels, situated on the highest parts of the hillside near to the forest, are slower to ripen and produce wines with good acidic structure. Notes: This Crémant Rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir and offers zesty, small red fruits on the nose. It is generous on the palate, has fine bubbles and a sugar dosage which remains discreet.

 

Pinot Noir “L’Etoffe” 2016

This Pinot Noir is aged in oak barrels for 10 months, allowing it to develop its rich aromas of raspberry, redcurrant and blackberry. Stylistically this pinot noir leans towards Burgundian, but maintains  distinct Alsatian character. Exuberant, light, and full of distinction, this pinot noir is incredibly versatile with food, yet easy to consume on its own.

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