Lucien Albrecht, Alsace AOC Riesling, Clos Himmelreich

About Lucien Albrecht

Domaine Lucien Albrecht has long been associated with Alsatian wine. Its origins go back to 1425, when Romanus Albrecht established the family in the town of Thann, near the Swiss border. In 1698, Balthazar Albrecht moved the family to the small southern village of Orschwihr. The Albrecht brand, the second biggest Alsatian brand in terms of sales in the U.S., was purchased in 2012 through receivership by one of the largest and most respected Alsace co-operative producers, Wolfberger. Wolfberger has been around since1902 and also produces wines under the Wilm label. It purchases many grapes from small, independent producers, near Orschwihr where the soils are dry clay and heavy chalk. Most of Albrecht s 500,000-case production is Cr mant d Alsace. Not surprising since Albrecht was a pioneer in the production of Cr mant d Alsace, and was at the forefront of the campaign to authorize the Appellation d Origine Contr l e Cr mant d Alsace, which transpired in 1976. Albrecht s sparklers are vinified using the classic Champagne Method, or method traditionalle, from 100 percent free-run juice. Albrecht wines generally are crisp and lively, some dry, others less so, All, however, show bright acidity, freshness, and the perfumed noses that typify Alsatian wine. Alsatian wines are versatile. While I often drink them with Asian cuisine, they paired well with the Greek seafood I shared with Keller. Albrecht s wines also are priced quite reasonably.