by Patrick Ogle
Domaine Meyer-Fonné Gentil D'Alsace, is a crowd-pleasing blend from Alsace, France. The blend comes from from grapes you may associate with the region. Alsace mostly grows white wine.
It is a blend that, to me, illustrates the difference between a tasting and sitting down and drinking a glass (or bottle)--I would have sworn this was sweeter after experiencing it in a tasting but it isn't. It is dry but there is fruit here that gives the impression of sweetness. There may be a hint of residual sugar here but if there is it is only that.
There is certainly a white table grape taste, a spiciness and a crisp acidity that rounds out on the follow up. While it lacks the viscosity of riesling it has some of that grape's complexity. It has the floral taste of a gewurztraminer and, even though this grape is a minority contributor here, gewurz characteristics stand out.
Here is a little wine trick--if you see the words "imported by Kermit Lynch" on the bottle? You are likely looking at a solid bottle of wine, whatever the price. Lynch's website notes that the denomination "Gentil d'Alsace" is reserved for AOC Alsace wines and must contain at least 50% of the noble grapes riesling, muscat, pinot gris and/or gewurztraminer. The other 50 percent can contain four other grapes but in this particular wine I believe the wine is all from the noble varieties. Another thing about Gentil d'Alsace? Each of these varietals has to be vinified separately AND they have to, on their own, qualify as AOC wines.
AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée) is a certification given to geographic areas in France (in other countries the designation may be DO, DOC, AVA etc). There are requirements for each AOC; the smaller the region usually indicates more restrictions and higher quality wines.
This wine is also a crowd pleasing one--people whose "go to" wines are wildly different white varietals will find a meeting ground here. It also is a wine well-suited to spicy Asian foods. Don't hesitate to grab a bottle for BYOB Thai or Chinese.
$14-16
Domaine Meyer-Fonné Gentil D'Alsace, is a crowd-pleasing blend from Alsace, France. The blend comes from from grapes you may associate with the region. Alsace mostly grows white wine.
It is a blend that, to me, illustrates the difference between a tasting and sitting down and drinking a glass (or bottle)--I would have sworn this was sweeter after experiencing it in a tasting but it isn't. It is dry but there is fruit here that gives the impression of sweetness. There may be a hint of residual sugar here but if there is it is only that.
There is certainly a white table grape taste, a spiciness and a crisp acidity that rounds out on the follow up. While it lacks the viscosity of riesling it has some of that grape's complexity. It has the floral taste of a gewurztraminer and, even though this grape is a minority contributor here, gewurz characteristics stand out.
Here is a little wine trick--if you see the words "imported by Kermit Lynch" on the bottle? You are likely looking at a solid bottle of wine, whatever the price. Lynch's website notes that the denomination "Gentil d'Alsace" is reserved for AOC Alsace wines and must contain at least 50% of the noble grapes riesling, muscat, pinot gris and/or gewurztraminer. The other 50 percent can contain four other grapes but in this particular wine I believe the wine is all from the noble varieties. Another thing about Gentil d'Alsace? Each of these varietals has to be vinified separately AND they have to, on their own, qualify as AOC wines.
AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée) is a certification given to geographic areas in France (in other countries the designation may be DO, DOC, AVA etc). There are requirements for each AOC; the smaller the region usually indicates more restrictions and higher quality wines.
This wine is also a crowd pleasing one--people whose "go to" wines are wildly different white varietals will find a meeting ground here. It also is a wine well-suited to spicy Asian foods. Don't hesitate to grab a bottle for BYOB Thai or Chinese.
$14-16
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