Cave de Turckheim Grand Cru Brand Riesling is an archetypal Alsace Riesling with fine, dry flavours of elegant pear and citrus fruit balanced by classic petrol and toasty aromas. Its broad palate is filled with rich fruits and salty, smoky elements, finishing with a crisp, steely edge. Enjoy it best with seafood or with rich pork and cheese dishes.

Critic Review

Decanter Magazine: 93pts (2018 vintage)
Drinking Window: Now to 2032

"Great concentration of dried apricots and roses on the nose, along with subtle kerosene aromas. On the palate there is tropical fruit, white flowers, candied orange, a hint of Sorrento lemons and juicy lime, with some gentle lees notes, bitter almonds, phenolic ripeness and long, grippy acidity. Beautiful concentration and balance, with gorgeous, saline and mineral acidity."
Elizabeth Gabay MW

JancisRobinson.com: 16.5Pts

"Powerful, mature Riesling aroma, still dominated by citrus though there’s also a cedary, oily spice. Powerful in the mouth with a strong citrus backbone. Power and length. Dry tasting but rich."
Julia Harding MW

About the Producer

Widely regarded as one of the best co-operatives in the world, Cave de Turckheim lies at the mouth of the Munster Valley. Working closely with 180 partners, its vineyards span the full breadth of Alsatian terroir and grape varieties. Cave de Turckheim only produces wine from the grapes of its member growers, it is a récoltant not a négociant.

Substantial investment in the winery has enabled the team to vinify many parcels of grapes separately, offering Michel Lihrmann (senior winemaker for 25 years) the chance to highlight each wine's nuances in his signature dry, yet fruit forward, style.

Committed to producing the highest quality wines, growers are encouraged to keep yields low - for example, Cave de Turckheim voluntarily caps yields for its Grands Crus vineyards at 45hl/ha rather than the permitted 55hl/ha - and to pick the grapes by hand. This is part of a long term and innovative strategy of sustainability that includes developing the largest holdings of organic vineyards in Alsace, using natural alternatives to chemical treatments, and a green overview of all vineyard practices. Alongside some great organic wines, the extensive range runs from the excellent value Tradition wines right through to individual Grand Cru bottlings, plus fantastic Crémants d’Alsace and Vendange Tardive dessert wines.

Vineyard and Winery

Grapes are sourced from especially delineated Grands Crus - areas of exceptional soils where only Riesling, Muscat d'Alsace, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer can be planted. The soil is constituted of dry granite, which imparts unique characters and style to the wine and helps to keep yields low. The Grand Cru of Brand takes its name from the German word for ‘fire’. Due to its southerly aspect, this vineyard benefits from remarkably high levels of sunshine which in turn results in grapes with high levels of ripeness and richness. Produced traditionally by winemaker Jean Michel Lihrmann - pneumatic pressing, temperature controlled fermentation, no finings and light filtration before bottling - all to preserve fruit and aromatic qualities and elegance. His philosophy is to make wines with good acidity and fruit balance.

This granite slope which overlooks the medieval town of Turckheim enjoys an amazing amount of sunshine. According to legend, it was on this "terre de feu" that a battle took place between a dragon and the sun. The wines from the Brand are distinguished by their great elegance, balance and finesse.