Alsace | 2023 vintage
Weather conditions
The winter months in Alsace were dry and mild, with a notable lack of rainfall. However, March brought a freshness in the air along with plenty of rain, allowing the groundwater to be replenished. These conditions pushed back the start of the plant cycle by around ten days compared to previous years. The buds only burst at the beginning of April, so the vines largely avoided the unwelcome consequences of frost.
As the seasons changed, weather conditions made quite the turn, with heat hitting as early as May and intensifying in June. Unsurprisingly, this caused an acceleration effect for the vines, with flowering occurring quickly and in good conditions. Alsace’s Pinot grapes, especially the Pinot Gris, impressed across the board with high yields, whilst the region’s Riesling harvest suffered from the heat; ‘coulure’ affected many of the plants during flowering, reducing their yields.
Dry and hot conditions continued into mid-July, with the first signs of drought appearing in the more porous soils. Once again, though, conditions shifted drastically. Temperatures dropped for a time, as did the amount of sunlight, causing Alsace’s winemakers to be more vigilant about the risk of disease, especially mildew. This less-than-summery ambiance stuck around until the end of August, when a heatwave returned to the region.
Harvest
The first strike of the secateur fell on 23rd August for the Crémant grapes, then 4th September for the still wines. The cool September nights made for good end-of-ripening conditions, especially for the Riesling grapes.
Profile of the wine
Unlike the 2022 vintage, vinification ran smoothly in 2023. Alcohol levels are measured, and good balance was achieved thanks to satisfactory acidity.
The Crémant cuvées are largely a success, and the still wines are particularly attractive, showcasing precise fruit and intense aromatics. Rieslings show interesting tension and a saline quality. Pinot Gris wines offer ample body balanced by freshness. Sylvaner and Muscat wines are fresh and aromatic. Pinot Noirs are flattering, with beautiful colour, concentration, and expressive fruit. ‘Vendanges tardives’ were more productive than in 2022, while ‘sélection de grains nobles’ remained rare.
