Domaine Valentin Zusslin ‘Ophrys’ Alsace 2020

Location: France, Alsace

Winemaker: Marie & Jean-Paul Zusslin

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris

Soil: Clay and iron with limestone subsoil

Winemaking: Short maceration of both grapes before slow, gentle pressing. Aged in old Vosges barrels before final racking and bottling

From us at M&L: Breathtakingly light, but with real complexity and nerve. This is what we imagine table wines to have tasted like before Louis the XIV made everyone start drinking Burgundy. Pair with river trout or salmon; or drink slightly cool with an omelette and tangy herb salad.

From the Importer Avant Garde: The Zusslin Wine Estate upholds the same winemaking traditions established in 1691. The vineyards are located in the Southern part of Alsace in Orschwir on the Bollenberg, Clos Liebenberg (Monopole) and Pfingstberg Grand Cru hillsides.

Since 1997, the estate is led solely by the principles of biodynamic viticulture in order to re-create a universe suitable for biodiversity. These principles encourage the expression of the soil and environment from Zusslin’s three terroirs. A strict selection of their grapes in the vineyards and at the cellar gives to the wines concentration and elegancy.

Thanks to the terroir, the acidity combined with minerality of their grapes bring depth and great length. The maturing of the wines is carried out on fine lees for a duration of one year to one year and half to express better balance and longevity. There is no interference in the natural process of fermentation and aging of the wines. The vitality, substance & moreover the energy given by the biodynamic viticulture make Zusslin’s wines worth enjoying and drinking.