Pinot Gris Origin Blanc 2021

Pinot Gris Origin Blanc 2021

Jean-Marc Dreyer

Dense, taut, dry, and aromatic, Jean-Marc Dreyer's Pinot Gris Origin expresses structure and integrity here. Jean-Marc Dreyer's Origin range is dedicated to single-varietal cuvées based on Alsatian varieties, here the classic Pinot Gris grape variety, formerly called Tokay in Alsace, macerated in whole bunches. Pinot Gris Origin is a true redefinition of this world-famous grape variety, whose name has been somewhat misused by the American market in its Italian form (Pinot Grigio) in recent years, which makes this Alsatian interpretation particularly interesting, based not only on the local expression of the grape variety but also on the deployment of its possibilities. Here, maceration gives it a new character, marked by tension and rectitude. It finally finds its say and adds a few strings to its bow. Pairs with practically everything, but come on, we'll dare: with caviar, it's the best. Biodynamic method, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, unfiltered, unclarified, no sulfites added in the vineyard or in the cellar.

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"Maceration in Alsace is a tradition!" says Jean-Marc Dreyer, adding that direct pressing in this region is a modern invention, linked to the advent of electricity. In the past, we worked by hand and let the grapes macerate before sending the marc to the press. " Whole bunch maceration is Jean-Marc Dreyer's signature and represents 85% of the estate's production, the rest consisting of direct-pressed whites, often aged using controlled oxidation. Jean-Marc 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 biodynamics, but he hesitated for a while between several methods: at the beginning, his wines were more oaky, aged in new barrels with stirring. Then, a sweet period: all his wines contain residual sugar. In 2008, he tried vinifying without any sulfur and found his direction: the following winter, upon returning from the pilgrimage to Compostela, he swore never to add sulfur to any wine again. Having made this decision, he asserts his style around skin maceration, quite advanced, chiseled, always surprising on Alsatian grape varieties, of which it brings out the structure without sacrificing the delicacy. Jean-Marc works in single-varietal or blended vintages and also produces Pinot Noir reds of surprising depth.