Alsace wine producer: Sylvie Spielmann, Bergheim

Sylvie Spielmann took over the domaine from her father in the middle of the 1990s. At that time, she had completed her education and worked in New Zeeland and other areas outside Alsace.

The large range of wines made by Sylvie Spielmann shows a lot of personality. In her wines, Sylvie Spielmann combines a generous aroma with firm structure. Sylvie allows malo-lactic fermentation, which in this case appears to add complexity to wines without hampering the cellaring potential.

Sylvie Spielmann is one of two owners on Kanzlerberg, situated in the valley on the road from Bergheim to Thannenkirch. Kanzlerberg is a terroir with a clay soil on top of marl with gypsum and fluorite. The microclimate is not too warm, and the wines have moderate weight and are quite closed for a long time. This is in contrast to neighbouring Altenberg which is generous and fruity from Day 1.

The domaine also owns Blosenberg, bordering Kanzlerberg, just by the winery and a part of Engelgarten. As the name suggests, Engelgarten gives light and elegant wines. Blosenberg gives very firm Pinot Blanc and Gewurztraminer with a lot of character.

Sylvie Spielmann is very hospitable. She arranges an open house each spring and possesses an ocean of knowledge. She is more than willing to share views and discuss with interested visitors. She has connections with a grower in Bourgogne, the wines of whom are also offered for sale.

In addition, Sylvie Spielmann is very conscious in terms of environmental aspects and applies many biologically oriented methods. Alas, here is another progressive and skilful viticultrice!

Latest visit: 2005

Facts

Sylvie Spielmann Route de Thannenkirch, 1-2 km west of Bergheim. +33 (0)389 733595
sylvie@sylviespielmann.com
Riesling Génerique €7
Riesling Lieu-dit €10
Riesling Grand cru €14. Dry, aromatic wines. Very welcoming and open. Good English. Grands Crus: Altenberg de Bergheim, Kanzlerberg
Lieux-dits: Blosenberg, Engelgarten

Selected representative wines 2005

2002 Gewurztraminer Blosenberg Developed, pure varietal aroma with a pleasant trace of "cough-syrup". Focused, firm, spicy and very true to the variety. Gives a dry impression. Superb on the table. 2001 Riesling de Bergheim Good, pure and straight-forward aroma of grape and apples. Hard taste, even at three years of age and good length of flavour. A very serious wine at this level. 2000 Riesling Grand Cru Kanzlerberg Elegant aroma with some honey. It gives the impression that the wine is hiding a secret. The flavour develops slowly on the palate, revealing a special, tight type of fruit that is very delicate. 2002 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Kanzlerberg The bouquet is restrained but complex. The taste is very elegant and develops slowly on the palate. The fruit melts on the palate and the discrete sweetness marries perefectly with the fresh acidity. A wonderful gastronomic Gewurztraminer.