Jamie Goode

Our expert samples a selection of tasty tipples from Alsace

The joint French and German influences in Alsace are reflected in its interesting white wines. These tend to be dry, versatile food wines that are well worth exploring. I’ve also included one of the area’s rarer reds.

Crémant d’alsace Cuvée Julien Dopff au Moulin NV, £14.50, The Wine Society, 12% alcohol

Alsace makes quite a lot of sparkling wine and this fine offering uses the pinot blanc and auxerrois grape varieties. It’s delicate and restrained with a citrus core showing crisp apple and pear.

Hugel Pinot Noir Classic 2019, £12.95, The Wine Society, 13.5% alcohol

Pinot noir is the grape from which reds are made in this mostly white wine area. This shows sweet strawberry and cherry framed by spiciness and herbal characters.

Taste The Difference Gewurztraminer 2021, £10, Sainsbury’s, 13% alcohol

Floral lychee and table grape aromas mingle with rose petal notes here. It tastes of grapes and Turkish delight, with a little sweetness.

Cave de Hunawihr Riesling Lieu-dit Muehlforst 2019, £19.49, Laithwaites, 13% alcohol

Riesling is the most famous of Alsace’s grape varieties and here we have lively aromatics with lime, lemon and some dried herbs. It’s dry and quite mineral with zesty citrus fruit and a minty edge.

Pierre Brecht Cuvée Cinq 2021, £11.99, Laithwaites, 12.5% alcohol

A blend of riesling, muscat and gewurztraminer make this extravagantly fruity with a lime, rose petal and table grape character. It’s sweetly fruited and finishes quite dry.

Domaine Kirrenbourg Riesling Roche Granitique 2019, £19.99, Naked Wine, 13.5% alcohol

Showing delicate and fine aromatics of lemon, lime and grapefruit, this is a serious and expressive riesling. It’s focused and crystalline, with tapering lime fruit on the finish and a sense of finesse.

Wolfberger Pinot Blanc 2020, £10.99, Waitrose, 12.5% alcohol

This pinot blanc is nicely fruited with textured pear, citrus and table grape. It has some spicy notes, with orange peel and mandarin.