Riesling Schoenenbourg Grand Cru „SEL“ 2021

Wine Description for Riesling Schoenenbourg Grand Cru „SEL“ 2021 from Trapet Alsace

Character

The Schoenenbourg Grand Cru „SEL“ embodies the precise minerality of one of Alsace’s most renowned vineyard sites. The designation „SEL“ – salt – alludes to the characteristic saline core that this Riesling draws from the gypsum-rich subsoil of Schoenenbourg. With 13.5% alcohol and subtle residual sweetness, this wine presents itself as a concentrated yet elegant interpretation of the vineyard, combining power with finesse.

Terroir & Origin

The Schoenenbourg near Riquewihr ranks among Alsace’s 51 Grand Crus and sits in south-easterly exposure on marly-calcareous soil with significant gypsum deposits. This geological profile lends the wines their distinctive mineral tension and saline texture. The Trapet family, originally from Burgundy and rooted there in Gevrey-Chambertin, has been cultivating vineyards in Alsace according to biodynamic principles since the 2000s. The 2021 vintage benefited from a cooler summer with moderate temperatures, which preserved the Riesling’s vibrant acidity structure.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Riesling finds ideal conditions in Schoenenbourg to develop its aromatic complexity and exceptional ageing potential. Trapet’s philosophy emphasises spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts and minimal intervention in the cellar. The slight residual sweetness remains perfectly integrated into the mineral structure and underscores the fruit intensity without compromising freshness. The wine is traditionally aged in old wooden casks, which lend texture without overwhelming it with oak aromas.

Food Pairing Recommendations

This Grand Cru harmonises beautifully with Alsatian cuisine: sauerkraut with fish, flammkuchen with goat’s cheese or Munster cheese at moderate maturity. The saline minerality makes it an ideal companion for seafood, oysters or pan-fried monkfish. It also proves versatile with Asian cuisine of moderate spiciness.