From: Eguisheim, Alsace, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: This Pinot Noir displays a medium, bright cherry red hue with a clear rim. On the nose, ripe red fruits such as Morello cherries and raspberries are prominent, accompanied by a hint of earthiness. The palate is light-bodied, showcasing rich cherry and strawberry flavors with an earthy edge. The wine's light tannin content and lively acidity contribute to its nervy and invigorating style, making it refreshing and slightly chillable.
Pairing: Its light body and vibrant red fruit profile make it an excellent companion for roasted poultry, such as duck or chicken, mainly when served with a cherry or berry sauce. It also complements grilled salmon or tuna, where the wine's lively acidity cuts through the richness of the fish (and won’t overpower it). For a vegetarian option, try pairing it with mushroom risotto or a beet and goat cheese salad, where the earthy notes of the wine resonate with the dish's flavors.
For heartier fare, it enhances the flavors of flank steak with shallots, creamy chicken dishes, beef ribs with mushrooms, and Alsatian coq au vin. Roast beef and Quiche Lorraine also make excellent pairings, as does a truffle omelet, where the wine's earthy notes and lively acidity complement the rich flavors. Pinot Noir can pair well with some Korean dishes, especially spicy and hearty ones. Pinot Noir's lean body, low tannins, and fruit flavors can complement spicy foods. Consider pairing it with a spicy Korean chicken taco with pickled vegetables for a modern, contemporary twist.
Korean Chicken Tacos
Recipe from Hankook Taqueria Adapted by John T. Edge
About. The story of the Beyer family and their vineyard stretches back to 1580. For 14 generations, the Beyer family has cultivated and transmitted their profound love for wine, creating a legacy deeply entwined with the history of Alsatian viticulture. This enduring legacy, deeply rooted in the land of Eguisheim, is preserved in meticulously kept archives, documents, and notebooks that form the living memory of their wine estate. These historical treasures, written in Old French and Old German, chronicle the family's journey and their vineyard in Eguisheim.
The Eguisheim vineyard, located at the northern tip of the Rouffach-Guebwiller fracture field where the Vosges and Rhine faults nearly meet, benefits from unique geological conditions. The significant tectonic discharges over short west-east distances create necessary alluvial cones with a limestone component. Limestone is essential for crafting great wines, imparting the finesse, delicacy, and touch of salinity that are highly sought after. Although Eguisheim is a mosaic of terroirs, the Beyer family’s plots are primarily on limestone hillsides.
The Beyer family has historically been well established in the Pfersigberg and Eichberg Grands Crus, which now represent a third of their planted areas. Adjacent to these are the Premiers Crus Hohrain, Sundel, and Saint Jacques, each revealing its unique character through organic farming. The estate's vines benefit from exceptional weather conditions due to the Vosges massif, which blocks clouds from the west and creates a microclimate. As a result, Eguisheim, at the foot of the Trois Châteaux, is one of the driest vineyards in France, receiving around 500mm of water per year.
Wine Notes: This Alsatian Pinot Noir is produced using sustainable farming practices and is in conversion to organic. The vineyard soil consists of limestone with clay, supporting 100% Pinot Noir vines aged between 10 and 25 years. With a yield of 50 hl/ ha, the average production is around 8,400 bottles. The fruit comes from younger vines on the Beyer estate and purchased grapes. The "traditional" bottlings are crafted to be fresh and enjoyed young, showcasing the true varietal character of Alsatian grapes. The grapes undergo a slow and gentle pressing, followed by juice settling and a relaxed, extended fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine then ages on the lees in the tank for several months, enhancing its complexity and character.