Cave de Hunawihr, Gewurztraminer Réserve 2017 Haut-Rhin, ,

PRODUCER This small co-operative, founded in 1954, has 110 members and 200 hectares of vineyard in the Haut-Rhin, nine kilometres from . Their wines are vinified using only their members' grapes, with a focus on expressing the rich diversity of Alsatian soils.

VINEYARDS Sheltered from oceanic influence by the Vosges Mountains, the region has a semi-continental climate which stays sunny and dry throughout the growing season, and this lengthens the ripening period for the grapes. The slopes surrounding Hunawihr, a picturesque village of half-timbered houses and a 14th century church, are some of the most celebrated in Alsace for grape-growing. Cave de Hunawihr’s fruit is sourced from 25- year-old vines grown in vineyards running along the south and south-east facing hillside slopes around the village, at an altitude of 250-320 metres. The vineyards cover an area of 36 hectares, located on a geological fault line across Ribeauvillé which gives soils composed of clayey limestone marl and chalky gravels.

VINTAGE Yields were low in 2017 due to the frost, but the quality of the grapes was very good. The harvest started earlier than normal, at the beginning of September.

VINIFICATION This Gewürztraminer was made from a blend of micro-parcels from the Hunawihr vineyards, picked at optimum ripeness. The temperature-controlled fermentation took place between 16-18°C for three weeks, followed by four months in stainless-steel tanks to settle before careful filtration. No malolactic fermentation was allowed to take place.

TASTING NOTES Grape Varieties 100% Gewürztraminer This wine has a nice pale, straw yellow colour with an elegant silver Winemaker Nicolas Garde tint. The nose is very complex with very delicate aromas of lychee, Closure Screwcap mango and particularly rose. Full-bodied, this off-dry wine has a refreshing acidity with roses lingering on the long finish. ABV 12.5% Residual Sugar 15g/L Acidity 2.45g/L Wine pH 3.6 Bottle Sizes 75cl Notes Vegetarian