The IWSC’s top 10 Alsace picks for ProWein 2023, in partnership with CIVA

An early supporter of the biodynamic wine movement, Alsace is known for its exemplary growing climate; characterised by consistent heat, sun and dryness as a result of it’s position in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, which provide protection from Atlantic rains and exposure to the sun.

One of the world’s most-loved, yet often-underrated wine regions, Alsace’s popularity is ever-growing amongst the wine trade and consumers alike. Noted for its versatility and diversity, Alsace has the ideal climate and all-round growing conditions to produce many different styles of high quality wines from dry to sparkling to sweet.

To support the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace (CIVA) in its selection of wines to be showcased at the upcoming ProWein 2023, the IWSC was once again asked to bring together an expert panel of specialist judges.

This year, the judging panel consisted of Vagabond’s Colin Thorne, wine writer Anne Krebiehl MW and Eric Zwiebel MS, Director of Wine at The Samling Hotel as of last month.

Between them, they were tasked with tasting 55 wines and whittling them down to just 10 - including two Gewurztraminers, four Rieslings, three Crémants d’Alsace and new for 2023, a single stand-out Pinot Noir – no easy feat when considering the diversity of wines on offer from Alsace.

Keep reading to find out which 10 stand-out wines were selected by our expert panel and will therefore be on show at ProWein 2023, courtesy of CIVA (Hall 10, Stand G99).

AOC Alsace Crémant d'Alsace 

Jean-Baptiste Adam, Génération 16 en Solera Brut NV, Crémant d’Alsace (12%)

Residual sugar: 0g/l

Bright, vivid fruit and creaminess on the nose. Beautifully balanced, finely structured and super fresh with juicy pink grapefruit. The slightest touch of gris-pink in colour. 36+ months on lees.

Domaine Viticole de la Ville de Colmar, Cuvée 1895 Brut NV, Crémant d’Alsace (13.1%)

Residual sugar: 7g/l

Rounded, textured and balanced with hints of hay, yellow apple and lemon. Mouth-watering crunch and ripeness with very fine bubbles. 24 months on lees.

Alsace Willm, Cuvée Prestige Brut NV, Crémant d’Alsace (12.5%)

Residual sugar: 8g/l

Very fine mousse, lovely texture. Creamy, frothy, bright and fresh with purity and notes of pear. A gastronomic wine - wonderful long, dry finish. 30 months on lees.

AOC Alsace Riesling

Bestheim, Riesling 2021, Alsace Grand Cru Schlossberg (13.5%)

Residual sugar: 6.9g/l

Rich, opulent and structured. Notes of candied papaya plus lemon peel and pith. Textured, sleek, pure and zesty. High Environmental Value (HEV).

Domaine Gresser, Riesling 2020, Alsace Grand Cru Kastelberg (13.5)

Residual sugar: 3g/l

Complex, intense nose of petrol, lime and hints of chamomile. Great length, delicate and pure finish. Organic.

Domaine Boeckel, Riesling 2020, Alsace Grand Cru Wiebelsberg (13.98%)

Residual sugar: 5.16g/l

Tropical, full-bodied, powerful and spicy. Highly mineral with hints of passionfruit, ginger and white pepper. Dense and layered, broad and soft. Organic.

Véronique & Thomas Muré - Domaine du Clos Saint Landelin, Clos Saint Landelin Riesling 2019, Alsace Grand Cru Vorbourg (13.5%)

Residual sugar: 1g/l

Bone dry, extreme minerality with an oily, rich finish. Lemon pith, lime and juiciness with hints of chamomile and chalk. Biodynamic.

AOC Alsace Gewurztraminer

Cattin, Gewurztraminer 2021, Alsace Grand Cru Hatschbourg (13.5%)

Residual sugar: 23/gl

Superb definition and tightness. Intense but fresh – notes of rose petal, ginger and spice. High Environmental Value (HEV).

Lucien Albrecht, Gewurztraminer 2020, Alsace Grand Cru Spiegel (14.1%)

Residual sugar: 32.2g/l

Subtle, serene, textured and balanced. Notes of lychee, papaya, aromatic peach and yellow apple. High octane.

AOC Alsace Pinot Noir

Domaine Huber & Bléger, Élevé en Barrique Pinot Noir 2020, Alsace Saint-Hippolyte Rouge (13%)

Residual sugar: 0.3g/l

Subtle berry aromatics on the nose. The palate has flow and gentleness, but also density and power with ripe, firm tannin. High Environmental Impact (HEV).

Representing the winemakers producing and selling AOC Alsace wines, the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace (CIVA) looks forward to welcoming international visitors to Stand G99 in Hall 10 at ProWein 2023.