Mélanie Pfister : Riesling "Berg" 2017

Tasting notes and serving recommendations for Mélanie Pfister’s Riesling "Berg" 2017

Tasting

Appearance

Beautifully clear, this wine displays a pale, bright golden hue.

Nose

Very open, the aromatic bouquet reveals enticing citrus notes reminiscent of lemon and grapefruit, harmoniously blended with delicate floral hints of honeysuckle and elderflower.

Palate

The palate stands out for its chalky texture, typical of its terroir, and its resolutely dry profile. It offers delicious notes of ripe citrus, supported by a lovely fresh acidity and a pronounced saline minerality that extends into a long, crisp finish.

Food and wine pairings

This great gastronomic white wine pairs wonderfully with seafood, particularly oysters and shellfish. It will also enhance meaty fish served with a creamy sauce, as well as poultry accompanied by a light jus.

Serving and cellaring

With excellent aging potential, this Riesling "Berg" 2017 requires a few years in the cellar to reveal its full mineral complexity. It is ideal for enjoyment until around 2032.

The freshness and aromatic purity of a great Alsace white wine by Mélanie Pfister

The estate

Founded in 1780 in Dahlenheim, in northern Alsace, the family estate is now run by Mélanie Pfister, representing the eighth generation. Having taken over from her father André in 2006, the current owner continues a historic expertise while bringing a modern dynamic. The estate stands out for its environmental commitment, with organic certification obtained in 2021 and the application of biodynamic principles. A true hallmark of the estate, production focuses on dry, pure, and elegant gastronomic wines that precisely reflect the richness of their limestone terroirs.

The vineyard

Located in Dahlenheim, in northern Alsace, the terroir from which this wine originates covers 3.18 acres spread across six plots. The vines are planted in the lieux-dits "Auf dem Berg" and "Silberberg". They thrive on stony clay-limestone soils resting on a base of shell limestone (Muschelkalk) dating from the Oligocene. This cool microclimate promotes environmentally friendly viticulture, with grass-covered soils worked without herbicides according to organic and biodynamic methods.

The vintage

The year 2017 was marked by a spring frost episode that fortunately spared the vines. This was followed by a particularly warm summer, characterized by sunny days and cool nights. These favorable weather conditions allowed for optimal ripening and led to early harvests, yielding grapes in excellent sanitary condition.

Winemaking and aging

The Riesling "Berg" 2017 harvest was carried out by hand on September 25 and 27. In the cellar, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks under strict temperature control, with a preference for indigenous yeasts. The wine then undergoes extended aging on fine lees to develop its full complexity, before being bottled on July 9, 2018.

Grape variety

100% Riesling