Cave de Ribeauville

The story

From Monks To Cooperative

Clos du Zahnacker is an enclosed vineyard plot with a history that reaches back to the eighth century, when it was owned by monks. A clos is an enclosed vineyard parcel, so the name describes the physical form of the place. The name carries both a physical description and a dated history as a named place. Centuries later, in 1965, the plot became exclusive to Cave de Ribeauvillé.

From the atlas

Cave de Ribeauvillé

An Alsace wine cooperative around Ribeauvillé, with Riesling from changing soils and an organic wine line.

At A Glance

The Producer

A wine cooperative gathers harvests from multiple winegrowers under one producer name. Cave de Ribeauvillé operates 245 hectares of vineyards in Alsace. Riesling is the grape at the centre of its range.

Place

The labels carry Alsace geographic names at village, lieu dit and Grand Cru levels. At village level, the appellation names a local area. A lieu dit names a specific place, while Grand Cru identifies a classified vineyard level. Cave de Ribeauvillé works around Ribeauvillé within these categories, so Riesling appears alongside a geographic origin.

Soil And Site

Every 300 metres, the type of terroir varies. A geological fault beneath the vineyards places granite, limestone, clay and sandstone close together. Granite and sandstone drain more quickly, clay retains more water, and limestone can hold moisture in cracks. The different water supplies alter ripening speed. For Riesling, that can change acidity and body from one parcel to the next.

Story

In 1895, 44 Alsatian winegrowing families decided to unite their harvest around a common project. Cave de Ribeauvillé began as a cooperative. Today its wines cover village appellations, named lieux dits and Grand Cru parcels, with one producer name spanning those label levels.

Vineyards And Cellar

All wines are produced exclusively from grapes harvested by hand. For Riesling Bio, the vines are farmed using organic methods, with no chemical treatments and low yields. Whole bunches are pressed in pneumatic presses to avoid crushing, then the wine is fermented under temperature control and matured on fine lees for 3 to 6 months. Fine lees are spent yeast cells left after fermentation; the contact can broaden the palate, while pneumatic pressing gives the must a gentler start.

Wines

The Riesling range moves from Collection to Vieilles Vignes and then to its classified tier. Vieilles Vignes is French for old vines, while Grand Cru identifies a classified vineyard level. The cooperative owns or manages 7 Grand Cru vineyard parcels, 7 named lieux dits and 3 village appellations. The labels separate a range name, a vine age indication and a site classification. The white wines stay with Riesling, so acidity is shared while the place category changes.

In The Glass

Across the Riesling range, delicate floral notes such as acacia flower and jasmine sit beside white fleshed fruit such as apple, pear and apricot. Lively acidity carries those aromas through the palate with vivacity. As Alsatian Riesling ages, mineral, sometimes stony or petrol nuances can develop.

A Bottle To Understand It

Choose Riesling Bio. It is the organic white Riesling bottling. The nose is fine and complex with mineral notes; the palate is fresh and balanced, with lime aromas, and the wine holds those elements in a complete whole. Riesling Bio names the grape and the organic farming line together, so the bottle carries both variety and cultivation method in one name.

Anecdote

Clos du Zahnacker was historically owned by monks in the eighth century. A clos is an enclosed vineyard plot, so the name describes a physical boundary. Centuries later, in 1965, the plot became exclusive to Cave de Ribeauvillé.

Final Word

Cave de Ribeauvillé's Riesling range uses an organic line and village, lieu dit and Grand Cru labels, while the soil changes within short distances around Ribeauvillé.

Sources

• https://www.vins-ribeauville.com/en/
• https://www.vins-ribeauville.com/en/our-terroirs/
• https://www.wineroute.alsace/229002794-cooperative-wine-cellar-cave-de-ribeauville/
• https://www.vins-ribeauville.com/en/produit/riesling-bio/
• https://www.vins-ribeauville.com/en/riesling/