One of the reasons I am such a fan of Alsatian wines is their terrific value. It even makes me ambivalent about singing their praises here as the more people discover just how delicious they are and how reasonably priced, the more those prices are going to rise. Hello Adam Smith. But sacrifices have to me made in the interests of amenability, and besides, the secret will out eventually.
It still amazes me though that people will happily spend $25 on a totally indifferent Pinot Grigio when, for little more than half that price they could enjoy a wine like this Five Star Nick’s Wine Of The Week, the Helfrich Pinot Gris 2008 from Alsace.
It’s brimming over with succulent fruit flavors – think nectarines, white peaches, pears, Braeburn apples. Particularly Braeburn apples, which Wikipedia tells us are “are known to have a burst of flavor when bitten into” and “have a unique combination of sweet and tart flavor.” This is exactly my first impression of this wine. And just like a Braeburn, the Helfrich doesn’t stop there, it’s not just a flash in the pan, or rather palate, zap and gone. Rather it lingers gloriously in the mouth, and through a long aftertaste that teasingly suggests traces of a stony, smoky minerality.
And all this in a $15 wine? Indeed, and moreover this sort of flavor-packed value is far from rare in Alsatian Pinot Gris, so add them to your shopping list and enjoy wines with true artisanal authenticity at a steal of a price.
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To find this wine near you try Wine Searcher.
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Listen to Nick’s WineCast on this wine!
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