Wine Region: Alsace

(2026) This organic certified wine comes from family vineyards in Mittelbergheim, Alsace, and is matured in century-old, large oak casks. In fact, the Wine Society website tells me what's in the bottle is actually the grape variety Auxerrois. Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois are not the same grape, but by a historical quirk, in Alsace it is permitted to label a wine as Pinot Blanc whether it is Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, or a blend of both. The nose has fresh, bold, juicy yellow apple and Mirabelle plum aromas, before a palate that has a medium to full texture, and a sheen of almond rounding-out the gentle stone fruit and apple. Precise, delicate, and delightful, it's a 'quiet' and refined wine. Watch the video for more information.

(2026) Made in century old wooden vats, this Riesling from limestone soils has a gently leafy, waxy, classic Riesling character but tempered and delicate. The palate is dry, an apple core and lemon sense of pithy acidity, but the cool, clear fruit profile is fine, pure, some might think a touch too understated, but for me that is the house style and adds to the charm.

(2026) There's a lovely directness about this Sylvaner, with fresh orchard fruit aromas and a subtle elegance. On the palate an initial hint of sweetness gives way to more apple an Asian pear, and there's a hint of saltiness to the lemony acidity. Very easy to drink, unfussy, and food friendly (think sushi or scallops perhaps).

(2026) A traditional method sparkling wine made from Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir, farmed biodynamically I believe, though not certified. It pours with quite a dense mousse, and aromas that mix golden delicious apple and lemon sherbet. It's a bright and vivacious style, though there is a hint of biscuity creaminess that carries to the palate. It is quite a cool and decisive style though, lemony, pithy acidity keeping it bone dry in a mouthwatering aperitif style.

(2026) The Muscat immediately asserts aromatically with floral, herbal and musky aromas, lychee and geranium leaf to the fore. As I almost always find with dry Muscat, the palate just deflates the mood a little, though I have to say this has a bit more character than some. There's a ginger note against the lightly phenolic firmness of the palate and decent intensity here. It's not a style I gravitate towards, but it is well done.

(2025) The small Frédéric Mochel estate in northern Alsace dates back through 14 generations to 1669. This is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, aged on its lees for around 20 months. The first impression is of a lemony, bright, vivacious wine, a touch of nettle perhaps. A fresh, crisp mousse as the palate reveals more of that crunchy apple and citrus directness, just a little creaminess from the lees, in a dry and flavourful wine that is also certified organic.

(2024) An organic certified wine that is apparently an everything but the kitchen sink blend of Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir and Riesling. It spends 18 to 24 months on the lees. The nose has sherbet and nettle, lemon too. The palate has a crispness to the mousse, and while there's a feeling of sweetness, there's a touch of sour plum and a grapefruit acidity, joined by a hint of toast. It's not the most elegant combination, but at £12, that can be forgiven.

(2024) Pale straw-gold, with a modest stream of small bubbles, aromas are herby, citrussy and super fresh. Just a subtle biscuity background in this organic wine, fermented with indigenous yeasts. In the mouth this Brut wine continues in a fresh and zippy vein. There's a rolling texture to the mousse, and hints of ripe fruit, but the acidity is decisive to leave this firm and cleansing in the finish. A blend of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois.

(2024) Very attractive nose with something green and herbaceous - nettle maybe? - orange rind and a hint of juicy ogen melon. The palate has a fat limey fruit core, really very good acidity, but the hint of ripeness and nectarine sweetness fills out the mid-palate. The juicy, lemony and delicately saline finish is beautifully done. Very good value this one.

(2024) Sourced from Hugel's vineyards around Riquewihr which are in the process of being certified for organic viticulture. Gorgeous nose of waxy preserved lemons, gently exotic, ripe apples and the most delicate touch of saffron spice. The palate has sweetness, but that's purely the ripe fruit, underscored by a sour lemon and grapefruit acidity that cleanses the palate. Medium-bodied but fruit-filled on the mid-palate, the finish is long and perfectly balanced.