Josmeyer : Pinot Gris Grand cru "Brand" 2018

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Pinot Gris Grand Cru "Brand" 2018 by Josmeyer

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a clear, bright yellow hue.

Nose

Powerful and dense, the nose opens with notes of ripe fruit and smoky nuances. Mineral and fresh-herb aromas gradually emerge, evolving toward citrus fragrances—especially Amalfi lemon—and infused herbs.

Palate

The palate stands out for its fleshy, generous texture, carried by a precise, crystalline acidity. Saline and powerful, it displays great finesse with a dense, complex structure. Flavors of fresh citrus mingle with grilled and roasted notes, while the long finish lingers on earthy, herbal tones.

Food and wine pairings

This Pinot Gris pairs beautifully with refined gourmet cuisine: poultry, feathered game, rabbit, as well as mushrooms, truffles, and root vegetables. It matches perfectly with sweet-and-savory preparations and elevates the flavors of Thai cuisine. Lovers of fine fish will enjoy it with sea bass, turbot, halibut, skate, or monkfish, as well as with lobsters and spiny lobsters.

Serving and aging

The Josmeyer Pinot Gris Grand Cru Brand 2018 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature of 12°C. This wine has remarkable aging potential and can be cellared until around 2043.

A powerful Alsace Grand Cru from the Brand’s granite terroir

The estate

Founded in 1854 by Aloyse Meyer in Wintzenheim near Colmar, the Domaine Josmeyer embodies Alsatian winemaking excellence across 24.40 hectares spread over 90 parcels. Now led by Céline and Isabelle Meyer, fifth generation, together with Christophe Ehrhart, the estate grows Alsace’s emblematic grape varieties on prestigious terroirs, notably the Grands Crus Hengst and Brand. A pioneer in Alsace, Josmeyer has practiced organic and biodynamic viticulture since 1999-2000, certified in 2004. This family estate stands out for its rare female leadership and an approach that combines winemaking tradition with artistic sensitivity.

The vineyard

The 40-year-old Pinot Gris vines thrive on the Grand Cru Brand, located in Turckheim in Alsace, at an altitude of 380 meters. Facing south and southeast, they benefit from optimal sunlight. The granite terroir, composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica, provides a sandy, coarse soil that gives the wine its distinctive minerality. The name "Brand" means "Land of Fire," evoking the fiery nature of this exceptional terroir. Vineyard management favors grass cover every other row and light plowing, in keeping with biodynamic principles.

Winemaking and aging

The Josmeyer Pinot Gris Grand Cru Brand 2018 grapes are harvested entirely by hand. Whole clusters are pneumatically pressed for around seven hours, allowing the juices to be extracted gently. Fermentation occurs spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts in century-old oak foudres. The wine then rests on fine lees for several months before being filtered and bottled, generally in July.

Grape variety

This wine is made from Pinot Gris, a noble Alsace grape variety that here expresses all its power and aromatic complexity.