Riesling Brand Grand Cru 2021 1500ml Magnum

Wine description for Riesling Brand Grand Cru 2021 1500ml Magnum by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Character

A dry Riesling of granitic precision and quiet grandeur. The nose combines citrus fruits and white flowers with that smoky minerality which only volcanic-influenced granite soils can produce. On the palate, it reveals a taut acid structure, supported by a silky texture – the result of at least six months on the lees. The magnum bottle grants this wine additional tranquillity in its development and preserves its youthful freshness for years.

Terroir & Origin

The Grand Cru Brand near Turckheim ranks among the geological jewels of Alsace. Rooted in granitic rock, the vines draw from a terroir that imparts an unmistakable mineral signature to the wine. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht has cultivated vineyards in this region since 1620 – Olivier Humbrecht, the first French Master of Wine, guided the estate to Demeter certification in 2002. Today, horses once again work the steepest parcels, where machines would long since have surrendered.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Riesling finds in the Brand granite one of its most impressive Alsatian expressions. The biodynamic viticulture – described by Humbrecht as “therapy for the vines” – and low yields of 30 to 40 hectolitres per hectare concentrate the aromatics. No wine leaves the cellar before one to two years of maturation. The extended lees contact bestows that texture which distinguishes patient Alsatian Rieslings from their more precocious counterparts.

Food Pairings

The combination of vibrant acidity and mineral depth makes this Riesling a versatile everyday wine. Classic alongside Choucroute garnie or Tarte flambée, yet surprisingly well-suited to Thai curry or sashimi. Comté and other hard cheeses also find a worthy counterpart in its structure.