Alsace wines in the front row at London Wine Fair 2007

The Chamber of Commerce of Strasbourg will have a stand at the London International Wine and Spirits Fair to be held in London between 22 and 24 May 2007, accompanied by eight wine producers from Alsace (in Eastern France). Visitors are invited to attend a wine-tasting event on the Alsace wines’ stand (Stand H60/1) at 5pm on 22 May, which will enable them to sample a wide range of fine terroir wines, in the company of oenologist Thierry Fritsch and the producers themselves.

[ClickPress, Mon Apr 30 2007] The Chamber of Commerce of Strasbourg will have a stand at the London International Wine and Spirits Fair to be held in London between 22 and 24 May 2007, accompanied by eight wine producers from Alsace (in Eastern France). Visitors are invited to attend a wine-tasting event on the Alsace wines’ stand (Stand H60/1) at 5pm on 22 May, which will enable them to sample a wide range of fine terroir wines, in the company of oenologist Thierry Fritsch and the producers themselves.

The wines of Alsace (a region of eastern France that borders Germany) are famous across the world for their quality, their individuality and the distinctive slim bottles used by Alsace wine growers.

Seven varieties of grapes (cépages) are grown in the region — Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Muscat d’Alsace, Tokay Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer. Unlike most other French wines, Alsace wines tend to be varietals, which means that they derive their name from the grape variety they are made from, rather than being blends named after a given terroir (i.e. the physical and environmental characteristics of the vineyard, especially the soil of the area concerned). Winemakers in Alsace still take great care to marry grape varieties with local soil types to produce the ideal match.

There are three Appellations d’Origine Contrôlées in the region (AOCs, i.e. a certification that the product is made in a certain region and meets strict production criteria) — AOC Alsace, AOC Alsace Grand Cru and AOC Crémant d’Alsace (‘crémant’ being a sparkling wine). The wines of Alsace are ideal when enjoyed with food, as they complement perfectly a wide variety of dishes. However, Alsace wines can also be enjoyed for themselves, as an aperitif for instance, and the remarkable range of flavours as well as the bouquet that they have to offer will come as a pleasant surprise to British consumers who may — for some of them at any rate — be used to blander and mass-produced types of white wine.

Indeed, quality, traditional Alsace wines have sometimes been unfairly overlooked in the UK in favour of more heavily marketed New World wines. The wines of Alsace range from light and dry to opulent and rich, and the Wine Show will give visitors the perfect opportunity to discover more about the region and its vineyards. All the producers on the Alsace stand at the London Wine Show are independent, family-run businesses, which place a premium on respect for the environment and on avoiding the use of chemicals (including pesticides and fertilisers) in favour of traditional and more ‘natural’ techniques developed over centuries of production in the region.

The renowned Alsace Wine Route runs for more than 170 kilometres along the Vosges mountain range, taking in areas of great beauty along the way. It is easy to follow and visitors can explore the many vineyards that line the scenic route as well as the traditional ‘winstubs’ and wine-storage cellars (where wine-tasting is on offer). For those who are unable to visit Alsace itself, going to the Wine Show in London will give them the opportunity to discover one of France’s most distinctive regions, through its amazing range of authentic and traditionally produced wines.

Domaine Bliemerose produces wine with passion

Domaine Bliemerose extends across an essentially chalky-clay terroir, with areas situated in the districts of Rosheim, Bischoffsheim and Boersch. The Domaine’s priority is reflecting the vine's natural balance and spirit. The estate’s vines are all situated on hillsides to benefit from the favourable climate. The vineyard is run by Christophe Maetz, who has dual expertise as an engineer and winemaker. His many years of experience in the wine industry – in France, China and the United States – also help in the elaboration of rich wines of exceptional quality. Domaine Bliemerose's wines are made with respect for the terroir's integrity.

Domaine Horcher offers fireworks of flavours

Domaine Horcher is a small but fine estate of 9 hectares, situated in the heart of the Alsatian wine-growing region. The estate produces wine of the highest quality. The terroir of the Domaine, thanks to its exposure to the sun and the diversity of its soils, offers unique and delicate flavours. Domaine Horcher has been run by three generations of the same family, resulting in a depth of knowledge and experience. Domaine Horcher continues to make wines using both traditional and modern methods.

For further information, please go to: www.vin-horcher.com

Domaine Laurent Vogt makes wine with respect for the environment

This 11-hectare estate is located in Wolxheim, a small village near Strasbourg. The Riesling wine produced locally is particularly famous, as the area of Wolxheim offers an especially good terroir for this noble grape variety. The whole range of Alsace wines is offered by the Vogt family; however, the Riesling Grand Cru Altenberg de Wolxheim and Crémant Chardonnay are particularly well known. Most of the Vogt estate’s wines have been awarded prizes, and are mentioned in the Hachette Wine Guide and in the specialist press. Thomas Vogt (whose family has worked the estate for three generations) grows his wines according to environmentally friendly principles of viticulture, giving preference to prevention rather than cure. Thomas exercises great care in the way that he runs the family’s vineyard and that his wines are produced, so that his customers may enjoy complete satisfaction.

For further information, please go to: www.domaine-vogt.com/

Domaine Pfister are natural-born vignerons

The Pfister family has been cultivating vines in Dahlenheim since 1780. The current owners, André and his wife Marie-Anne, have further developed the estate. Mélanie, their daughter, joined the Domaine in time for the 2006 vintage, having trained as both an engineer and a winemaker, and having previously worked in France (Zind-Humbrecht, Méo-Camuzet and Cheval Blanc) and abroad (Craggy Range). André has been managing the 10-hectare vineyard using sustainable viticulture for 30 years. To respect the potential of the grapes and the different terroirs, the winemaking touch is gentle. The estate’s handcrafted wines, coming from single vineyards, reflect their terroirs but also the Pfister’s values – they are elegant, dry and balanced, as well as intense and densely structured by great acidities.

For further information, please go to: www.domaine-pfister.com/

Domaine KLINGENFUS keeps traditions alive

The Klingefus family-run vineyard in Molsheim exports 50% of its wines; the rest are sold within France. The estate’s core values are the respect for nature and for a healthy and sustainable form of agriculture. Robert Klingenfus follows strict production standards, with balanced soil amendment, control of vine nutrients and yields, hand harvest of sensitive vines, maturing in wood casks and delayed bottling – all of which is done in order to ensure the consistent quality of the wines.

Domaine Kumpf & Meyer offers happiness, Alsatian way, in a glass
The owners of Domaine Kumpf & Meyer, Sophie and Philippe, are a young couple whose vineyard in Rosheim covers roughly 16 hectares. It is run in the traditional Alsatian way. The calcareous soils stretch from Obernai to Molsheim, and the best-known wines produced on the estate are Westerberg and Grand Cru Bruderthal. The alliance between the soils and the vines allows for the production of 70,000 bottles a year.

For further information, please go to: www.kumpfetmeyer.fr

Domaine SCHAEFFER – quality wine since 1750

This 12-hectare vineyard in Epfig grows all seven of the major grape varieties found in Alsace and produces nearly 100,000 bottles a year. The first Schaeffer to produce wine was Anton, back in 1750. Now it is the turn of Philippe to run the vineyard. He is President of the Winegrowers’ Association of Epfig. The Schaeffer family also produces a range of fruit eau-de-vie, which are distilled in the traditional way in oak casks. The vineyard stretches across a district that encompasses the villages of Dambach-la-Ville, Blienschwiller, Epfig, Gertwiller, Obernai and Heiligenstein, where Klevener de Heiligenstein – a rare grape variety – is harvested.

Domaine Bernard SCHWACH – a symphony of wines

Bernard Schwach created the Domaine du Moulin de Dusenbach, an independent estate located in the very heart of the Alsace wine area in Ribeauvillé. More than 28 hectares belong to the estate, which stretches from north to south, among the most famous villages of the Alsace wine road: Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Ammerschwihr, Bergheim, Hunawihr, Kientzheim, Kayersberg, Zellenberg. All the different varieties of Alsace wines are produced on the estate, from reserve to late-harvest and noble-rot wines, plus Cremant. Grand Crus such as Sporen and Schoenenbourg in Riquewihr, Schlossberg in Kientsheim, and Kaefferkopf in Ammerschwihr, are also made at the Domaine du Moulin. The estate has won many awards, among them a Silver Medal for the Grand Cru Sporen 2004 at the World Riesling contest, and Silver Medal at the World Sparkling Wines in 2006.

For further information, please go to: www.domaine-schwach-bernard.com

The London International Wine and Spirits Fair 2007

This year is the 27th anniversary of the London International Wine and Spirits Fair (LIWSF). The trade show is taking place from 22 to 24 May 2007. The Alsace region will be present at Stand H60/1.

The LIWSF has become the most important annual exhibition in the world's wine and spirits calendar. Visitors use the trade show to source new, exciting wines; to increase their knowledge of wine-making; and to discuss their business needs with producers as well as suppliers.

For the 3,500 international visitors coming to the event, the LIWSF is a powerful business tool and an exceptional industry-wide forum. Importers from every corner of the globe travel to London to look for new suppliers among the 1,250 exhibitors.

For further information, please go to: www.londonwinefair.com

About the Chamber of Commerce of Strasbourg

The Chamber of Commerce of Strasbourg (CCI Strasbourg) represents and promotes the interests of companies based in the Alsace region of Eastern France.
For further information, please go to: www.strasbourg.cci.fr


FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Kate AMBLER – Press Officer
French Technology Press Bureau (FTPB)
21, Grosvenor Place
London, SW1X 7TB (United Kingdom)
Telephone: 020-7235-5330
Email: contact.ftpb@ubifrance.fr