The Old Fire Station, Old Market, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire

Turckheim, Grand Cru Brand Gewurztraminer

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.  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.

A complex mix of rocks lying on a substrate of granite, quartz, feldspar and mica provides a sandy and coarsely textured soil 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, Michel takes great care: hand harvesting, pneumatic pressing, temperature controlled fermentation, no finings and minimal filtration all help to preserve the naturally aromatic and fruity character of his wines.

The Turckheim, Grand Cru Brand Gewurztraminer has a nose of rich fresh lychees and rose petals and warm spice. Rich, powerful and complex fruit with hints of pink grapefruit marmalade, yet finely structured and balanced. This deliciously exotic white retains a beautiful freshness with some interesting pithiness on the finish.

Cave de Turckheim has been a pioneer of organic viticulture in Alsace, actively supporting a number of its growers’ decisions to convert in 2008. These winegrowers have revived ancestral practices, tilling the soil and undertaking work that facilitates the elimination of weeds and helps combat disease. Natural fertilisers are also used (nettle, horsetail, comfrey and dandelion), fortifying the vines and increasing their natural resistance. Organic winegrowers meticulously observe their vines, enabling them to intervene in the right place and at the right time, rather than treating the plants systematically. With the first vineyards achieving organic certification in 2011, Cave de Turckheim now has 35ha of certified vineyards – the largest organic vineyard holdings in Alsace.

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We can deliver anywhere in mainland Britain from £11.95 per case.