WINE INFORMATION

This estate was founded in 1958 by Paul Mittnacht. He passed his knowledge on to his two sons, André and Louis. Marc, son of André, and Christophe, son of Louis, created the Domaine Mittnacht Frères in 1963. They gave a new impetus to the company in 1995, and by 1999 the property was certified biodynamic. Christophe, in particular, was one of the earliest proponents of biodynamic viticulture in Alsace. However, in 2019, he and his Japanese-chef wife decided to strike out on their own, creating the Domaine Christophe Mittnacht Terres d’Étoiles, an 11-hectare property with a winery located in Hunawihr. The area is one of the most geologically diverse in Europe. The soil profile is Muschelkalk, limestone loaded with seahells and dating to about 2.5 million years ago as the subsoil, with marl-limestone and clay topsoil. This leads to wines with aromatic restraint, fleshy and complex structure, and pervasive minerality.

Although Alsatian wines are generally labeled by variety, Pinot Blanc is an exception. It is usually a blend of Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc, though “Auxerrois” almost never appears on the label. This grape is a natural progeny of Pinot and that Casanova of all grapes, Gouais Blanc. It is low in acid and adds weight and substance. Pinot Blanc is the workhorse grape of Alsace, but in the right hands (low yields), it produces wines that are halfway between refreshment and opulence.

Grapes for this wine come from 40+-year-old vines, harvested and sorted manually. The fruit is whole cluster pressed and fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts. It ages in older barrels.

Cheese, Fish (white), Fondue, Hors d'oeuvres, Just for Cocktailing, Pork, Sausage, Shellfish