Wines of the World

Frédéric Cossard

Jean-Marc Dreyer
Jean-Marc Dreyer's Riesling Origin is an organic (AB label), biodynamic, and natural dry white wine from Alsace, macerated (orange wine), with no added sulfites. Jean-Marc Dreyer's Origin range consists of single-varietal cuvées made from six Alsatian grape varieties (Sylvaner, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Muscat), macerated on the skins with a touch of controlled oxidation. Discovering each Origin is always a revelation.

Vinification
Riesling, the king of Alsace's white grape varieties, forms the basis of this organic and natural wine. Its liveliness, distinction, deep sapidity, and characteristic mineral notes are evident in this hand-harvested wine macerated for seven days in whole bunches. After pressing and fermentation, the wine is aged for ten to eleven months in the Alsatian style, in foudres and demi-muids, without topping up. Biodynamic method, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, unfiltered, unclarified, no sulfites added in the vineyard or cellar.

Tasting
Balanced acidity, elegance, complexity, fruitiness, power, plenty of structure and depth: Jean-Marc Dreyer's Riesling Origin is what we call a wine of meditation. Whole-bunch maceration exposes Riesling in a completely new light: the petrol notes recede into the background, waiting until the finish to emerge, and the wine expresses a structured verticality balanced by a gentle roundness. Pineapple and grapefruit on a very mineral background, but it's the soil you sense, not the diesel can. Taste pairings? Don't bother looking; it goes with everything. Try grilled fish, matelotes, seafood and shellfish, roasted or stewed white meats, pata negra ham, aged cheeses.

Learn more about Jean-Marc Dreyer
Jean-Marc Dreyer, a biodynamic and natural Alsace winemaker (AB organic certification label), succeeds several generations of his family at the Dreyer & Fils estate, created in 1830 between Obernai and Molsheim. Upon taking over the estate, he immediately opted for biodynamic farming. In 2009, upon returning from a pilgrimage to Compostela, he decided to never again add sulfur to any wine. Having made this decision, he affirmed his style around skin maceration, accentuated and chiseled, bringing out the soul of Alsatian grape varieties. Jean-Marc also works with direct pressing and often with single varietals. He also produces Pinot Noir reds of surprising depth.

Maceration and direct pressing
Jean-Marc Dreyer's wines are characterized by whole-bunch maceration (but you should also taste his direct-press whites). "Maceration in Alsace," he says, "is an ancestral tradition! In the past, we worked by hand and let the grapes macerate before sending the marc to the press." Gentle oxidation is also a particular characteristic of his wines, generally vinified without topping up. Jean-Marc is best known for his “Origin” series, a finely macerated expression of Alsace grape varieties, but we invite you to discover his other wines.