JP RIETSCH
FRANCE, ALSACE, MITTELBERGHEIM
Penguins for Christmas! Jean-Pierre Rietsch's iconic Cremant d'Alsace has landed, alongside a brace of new cuvées: macerations, litres, Grand Crus – all present and correct.
2023 has proven to be quite the bumper harvest in Mittelbergheim. Not one without its problems (high mildew pressure thanks to humidity and big clusters after heavy August rains) but a tremendous year for quality of fruit. The resulting wines are clean, properly invigorating and characterful.
New arrivals are detailed in full below.
Jean-Pierre has been at the helm of his family vineyards in the historic village for over 37 years now. Diligently organic, but working above and beyond in the parcels to ensure the resulting wines channel their terroir with both complexity and drinkability in equal measure. The 2023 wines show particular balance and juiciness, still retaining great depth. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
AVAILABLE NOW
NEW 2022/23 - Cremant Extra Brut - Non Dose - Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris
NEW 2019/20 - Cremant Extra Brut - Non Dose (Magnum) - Auxerrois, Chardonnay
From parcels on the clay-limestone terroir of Mittelbergheim. Whole-bunch pressed to tanks, for fermentation. After 12 months of ageing, the wine is bottled at the beginning of the next vintage, along with fresh-pressed juice from the new harvest as a spark for the secondary fermentation in bottle. Zero dosage, disgorged to order, no additions.
2023 - Blanc au Litre - Auxerrois, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Silvaner
The litre blend continues to be very well suited to the format, Auxerrois taking the lead, picked from mixed parcels over clay-limestone.
2023 - Vieille Vigne Sylvaner - Sylvaner
From parcels in the Brandluft and Berg vineyards, alongside some from the Zotzenberg, mostly on clay-limestone, with some marl in Zotzenberg.
2020/23 - Stein - Riesling
From vines besides the house that JP planted with his father 30 years ago, the Leu dit Stein grown on Grey Marl and Limestone. This is a true terroir Riesling expression, multi-dimensional, long and mineral.
2022 - Grand Cru Zotzenberg - Riesling
Zotzenberg is a south/south-east facing Grand Cru vineyard, planted over marl, limestone and compacted sandstone. 2022 was one of the hottest years on record, and whilst the wine still boasts Jean-Pierre's signature acidity and light touch, it is bolstered with a brilliant sun-kissed ripeness. Lovely salinity coming from the terroir, aged 12 months in foudre.
2022 - Demoiselle - Gewurztraminer
From parcels of Gewurtztraminer over grés and clay-limestone, whole bunches with an 11-day maceration, blended with 1/3 of direct-press juice.
2023 - Murmure - Muscat
Muscat can always be a fragile grape for Jean-Pierre but it has fared well in 23, picked from the marl limestones around Mitterlbergheim. A 10-day whole-bunch maceration this year, proving very fine and delicate rather than overbearing, Rietsch long-since having understood the best way to work with his aromatic varieties.
NEW 2023 - Quand le Chat - Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris from clay-limestone of Mittelbergheim and grés of Mutzig. 9-day infusion of whole-bunches under juice, aged 8 months in foudre.
2023 - Coquette - Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir
Coquette returns! A successful experiment in teasing different elements from the Gewurz, aiming for drinkability and intrigue rather than its predictable big aromas. A blend of three separate tanks, picked mostly from the Zotzenberg, great balance!
NEW 2023 - Rouge au Litre - Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris
From Pinot Gris (1/3) parcels at the bottom of the clay-limestone Mittelbergheim hillsides, and young Pinot Noir (2/3) vines from the sandstone-limestone Stierkopf parcel in Mutzig. An infusion maceration of whole bunches in juice for 12 days. Aged in tank on fine lees for 8 months. No added sulphur.
