Fernand Engel Riesling Reserve

What a treat this stunning Riesling Reserve from Fernand Engel is! This white wine is lovingly crafted in the heart of Alsace, near the village of Orschwiller and St. Hippolyte. Here, Fernand Engel has divided nearly four hectares over several plots to ensure a good structure in the wine. Winemaker Xavier Baril has certainly succeeded in this, creating a round and velvety white Riesling.

The high quality of Engel winery

The family business has over fifty hectares in total production, spread across numerous vineyards throughout the region. They employ a traditional winemaking style. While this is common in Alsace, Engel manages to distinguish itself. The terroir, combined with the planted varieties of Riesling and Pinot Noir, among others, offers enormous opportunities to focus on the quality of the grapes and the wine. The vines for this Riesling are planted in dark, calcareous soils with fifteen to twenty percent granite. The vineyards face south and east. The vines are 15, 19, 27, and 31 years old. After harvest, the whole bunches are pressed together. Fermentation then takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 18-20 degrees Celsius. The wine is then aged on its lees for another eight months.

A complex Riesling with a creamy texture

A unique process that greatly enhances the taste of this wine, making it more complex and slightly creamier in texture. The aroma is complex and floral, with abundant fruit (apple, peach) and a touch of minerality. The chalky soils give it a floral yet fresh flavor, with lovely notes of yellow and white fruit complemented by green herbs, flowers, and a hint of citrus zest.