Winemaker Notes
A field blend of Alsatian varieties. The “sheep’s path”, leading into Grasberg at the top of the Altenberg de Bergheim. East facing, with strong winds. A thin slab of Aalenian limestone perched above the plains. The extension of the hillrock of Altenberg de Bergheim. Planted in 1997. 12,000 vines per ha. Indigenous yeast. Very slow, wholecluster pressing for up to 12 hours. Fermented and aged in barrel for 12 months. Certified biodynamic.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Rich and concentrated, yet bright and quite tense, this striking dry white effortlessly marries opposites, and it’s still only just coming to its best. With aeration, hibiscus and wild-rose notes emerge. Long, graceful finish with quite some complexity. A co-fermented field-blend of varieties. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
A distinctive, inviting white with quinine bitter almond skin edge expertly offsetting warm honey, spiced apple, green fig and beeswax. Rich and layered, with intriguing earthiness wafting through with good length. Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Auxerrois.
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Wine Enthusiast
Anise, honeydew and toast mix in a tantalizing aroma. Light and delicate, the palate of this wine carries flavors of lemon cream and, again, slightly burnt toast. Although quite culinary, this wine would come up a little delicate alongside a meal. Pour it before dinner to get excited about things to come.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Schoffweg "Le chemin des brebis" is very clear, elegant and aromatic on the nose that is stylistically much more Alsace than Burgundy. Rich and intense on the palate, this is a powerful, tight and very concentrated Schoffweg that is pretty alcoholic, quite bitter and astringent on the finish. 14.17% alcohol. Natural cork.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
Small but mighty, this picturesque region in northeastern France is renowned for its white wines produced by passionate families whose winemaking roots span generations and even centuries. Nestled between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, Alsace benefits from a sunny, dry climate and a long growing season. It is one of the most geologically diverse regions in the world — one of the many reasons why Alsace rocks!
Alsace wines include dry, mineral-driven Riesling, earthy Pinot Gris, refreshing Pinot Blanc, exuberant Gewurztraminer, elegant Pinot Noir, and more. From traditional-method sparkling wines to easy-drinking AOC Alsace, to complex Grand Cru bottlings from 51 distinct sites, and rich, late harvest wines, Alsace produces a wine for every occasion. Most Alsace wines are single-varietal bottlings and are labeled with the grape name. The region is also one of the greenest wine-producing areas in France, with 36% of its vineyard area certified organic.
Riesling, the region’s calling card, is dry, fresh and floral in its youth, developing complex mineral and flint character with age. Gewurztraminer is known for its signature spice and lychee aromatics. Pinot Gris is prized for its combination of crisp acidity and savory spice as well as ripe stone fruit flavors. Pinot Blanc is an affable food partner or porch sipper. Pinot Noir, the only red grape in AOC Alsace, is now authorized in three Grand Cru areas and is also used for Crémant d’Alsace sparkling rosé. Any bottle you choose will offer deliciousness, pleasure and value that is unprecedented in other wine regions.