There is so much quality coming from Alsace, the small and storied region in the northeast of France, it’s hard to pick just one bottle. But this Grand Cru Riesling from Domaine Christophe Mittnacht’s “Terre d’Etoiles” line stood out in a constellation of white wines this summer.
A dry and delicious Riesling from Alsace
A seductive nose of lemon curd and classic Riesling petrol and honey markers leads, bringing you into a rich palate of more lemon, tangy acid, tarragon and other herbal underbrush, and a stony minerality. Overall, it’s slick and sophisticated, offering a lush and satisfying mouthfeel, and a long mouth-cleansing finish.
A mosaic of soils and terroirs, Alsace is known for its Grand Crus—offering long tradition, unusually well-crafted wines at extremely attractive prices. This one is in the deft hands of Christophe Mittnacht, a biodynamic pioneer in the region. His domaine was certified organic in 1999, one of the first in Alsace.
The grapes are sourced from a parcel of 35-year-old vines in Hunawihr’s Rosacker Grand Cru—home of what many consider the Holy Grail of Riesling, Clos-St.-Hune—in clay and limestone soils, which contribute to the richness on the palate. Christophe’s wife, Yuka, is of Japanese heritage and he was inspired to make wines that would pair well with sushi and other seafood served at her father’s restaurant. Check out the “Gyotaku” white blend, made especially with this pairing in mind. At, a suggested retail price of ~$29, this is a delicious steal.