Alsace wine producer: Koeberlé-Kreyer, Rodern

Rodern is a minute village in northern Haut-Rhin, on the rim of the western geological fault that separates the granite of the Voges from bedrock from Triassic origin and younger. North of Rodern, you find Grand Cru Gloeckelberg. The terroir is granitic, but the granite has weathered to a fine grained, almost clayey top soil. This warm, well drained soil with not very much limestone is very good for Pinot Gris and ideal for Pinot Noir.

In fact, a new designation is under way, "Pinot Noir de Rodern".

South of the village, we find calcareous soils such as my perennial favourite, Lieu-dit Silberberg. Silberberg is also offered by CV Hunawihr and Rolly-Gassmann and it always has a fresh and attractive aroma of lemons, regardless of variety.

Koeberlé-Kreyer is the largest land-owner in Rodern with 9 ha. They work traditionally and offers a very nice range of wines at very modest prices. Probably, Koeberlé-Kreyer will never be recognized as one of the famous houses of Alsace but for me they represent the heart and the soul of Alsace. A competent family domaine that love the wines and the soils.

The Pinot Noir from Koeberlé-Kreyer is worth particular attention. It is the pride of the family. After careful selection in the vineyard, the grapes are subject to careful handling and turned into a very interesting Pinot Noir by all standards.

But a visit to Koeberlé-Kreyer will not only give you samples of good wine, it will also give you a moment of joy and a sense of community with this hospitable family.

Latest visit: 2006

Facts

Francis and Marie-Paul Koeberlé 28, Rue du Pinot Noir. Keep right in the village. +33 (0)388 73 00 55
+33 (0)388 73 00 55 (fax)
f.koeberle@tiscali.fr
Riesling €4.75
Riesling Vielle Vignes €7.50
Pinot Gris Grand Cru Gloeckelberg €9.60
Generous wines with style and some extraordinary wines. Lovely. No English. Do not be put off by the barking dog. Grands Crus: Gloeckelberg
Lieux-dits: Blanckenberg, Moenchreben, Silberberg

Selected representative wines 2006

2004 Pinot Gris Restrained aroma of crushed grapes. Firm, generous and fairly dry taste with good structure. Perfect at the table. 2004 Riesling Médaille d´Or Colmar Young aroma with apples and crushed grapes. Medium-bodied, mature and pure taste with very good acidity and deep fruit. 2004 Riesling Moenchreben This Médaille d´Argent Riesling de Monde has a dense, still closed aroma. Full, fruity and generous taste with perfect balance. Needs some years to become a unity. 2003 Pinot Noir Barrique Fairly powerful, spicy aroma with raisins, plum, vanilla and oak. Medium-bodied taste with red berries, some oak and substantial but mature tannins. A superb effort at a very low price.