Alsace wine producer: Frédéric Engel, Riquewihr

Fréderic Engel is one of the small producers of Alsace, far away from the limelight. They operate in rather modest facilities in Riquewihr, very close to the upper gate. Here, Fréderic Engel, or rather Yves and Alain Engel, sell 80% of the production at the door, most to customers that return year after year to find a very good Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg.

Schoenenbourg is no doubt one of the greatest terroirs in Alsace, and hence in Europe. The geology is very complex. Beneath a thin scree of gravel from the steep, granite mountain range just a stones throw away, the substrate is marl mixed with gypsum. Hence the soil is well drained, calcareous, enjoys a great microclimate but is relatively "cold" in itself. It is the ideal place for Riesling and Muscat.

Fréderic Engel also has vines on Grand Cru Sporen. As several others they produce a Gewurztraminer from this historic terroir, but they also make a small quantity of Riesling. This smoky and exotic Riesling is more Sporen than Riesling, if you see what I mean.

Fréderic Engel makes very honest, correct and fruit wines. The product line varies between the years since the quantities from some parcels may be very small. They avoid malo-lactic fermentation.

The Grands Crus are sold young and, since I have followed the wines for several years, I can assure that they benefit very much from cellaring for at least 5 years.

Alain Engel is a very talented photographer, and be sure to take a look at the magnificent photos on display in the cellar.

Latest visit: 2006

Facts

Alain and Yvan Engel 36, rue des Remparts +33 (0)389 47 83 88
+33 (0)389 86 05 08 (fax)
Riesling Génerique €5.00
Riesling Schoenenbourg €8.50
Classic but full wines with medium body. Very friendly. No English. Grands Crus: Schoenenbourg, Sporen
Lieux-dits: -

Selected representative wines 2006

2004 Pinot Blanc Fruity, open aroma of exotic fruits and some boiled vegetables. Full, fresh and very well balanced taste with mature fruit. Very good with white meat. 2004 Riesling Vielle Vignes Classic, fruity aroma of grapefruit and green apples. The taste displays fine minerality and lingering acidity. 2004 Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg Very young at 18 months of age. After aeration, the aroma shows honey, minerality, grapefruit and the typical Schoenenbourg markers. The taste is very full, the acidity complete and the wine shows typical minerality. The sugar is relatively high (10 g/liter R.S.) but this will totally disappear after a few years of ageing. 2004 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Sporen Smoky, almost overwhelming aroma of spices and red apples. The taste is strong, rich in extract and very powerful with huge acidity. Will knock down a Munster cheese in Round 1. Not for the fainthearted!