Domaine Zind Humbrecht

2, rte de Colmar
68230 Turckheim, France
Tel : +33 (0)389 270 205

contact@zind-humbrecht.fr

www.zindhumbrecht.fr/

Zind Humbrecht, Great wines from Alsace

Find out all about the Zind Humbrecht family estate in Turckheim, Alsace.

Founded in 1959 by the union of the estates of Emile Zind and Eénon Humbrecht, this renowned family estate has risen to the highest level among Alsace and French wines. With vineyards covering more than 40 hectares and exploiting the great Alsace grape varieties such as Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Muscat, Zind Humbrecht delights the senses of wine lovers the world over, seeking out the finest expressions of great terroirs and saluting the precision work of Olivier Humbrecht. 

To understand the history of Alsace's vineyards.

Stretching along the slopes of the Vosges mountains, the Alsace region has a long history of winemaking. Situated close to the present-day German border (along the Rhine), the region has been a territory of political dispute and conflict for centuries. Annexed by France in the 17th century, Alsace was claimed by the new German Empire in 1871. After the First World War, Alsace was returned to France, but during the Second World War, the territory was occupied by Germany. Today, Alsace is part of France, but the Germanic influence is still present. The appellation obtained AOC status in 1962. The Crémant d'Alsace appellation was added in 1976, and the Grand Cru appellation in 1983.

The Zinds and the Humbrechts, winegrowers from father to son since 1620.

The history of the Humbrecht family of winegrowers dates back to the 17th century. Since 1620, the family has passed on its passion for viticulture and know-how from generation to generation. In 1959, the Zind-Humbrecht estate was created by bringing together the two winegrowing families, Humbrecht (from Gueberschwihr) and Zind (from Wintzenheim). Since that time, the estate has been managed by its owners. Thanks to the purchase of new plots of land, it has grown steadily, and the cellars have been enlarged and developed accordingly.

A biodynamic approach that respects the environment and consumers.

Zind Humbrecht's vines and environment are treated with great respect, and the estate was certified as an organic winegrowing estate in 1998 and biodynamic in 2002. The 41.1 hectares of vines are planted in a variety of soils and climates. Volcanic rock is found in Ranen, with the vineyard situated at an altitude that benefits from plenty of sunshine. Soils near Goldert are composed exclusively of limestone. Sites near Windsbuhl are dominated by a shell limestone substrate. At Heimbourg, the vines are planted on clay-limestone soils on steep slopes, where they benefit from long hours of sunshine.

A mosaic of terroirs for a diversity of wine expressions.

With its clay-limestone substrate and perfect sun exposure, Herrenweg is synonymous with early berries. Clos Jebsal is characterized by a geological fault of gray limestone marl and a warm mesoclimate, while Brand reveals Turckheim granite soils rich in trace elements and benefiting from perfect protection from the north wind. Hengst enjoys a dry, warm microclimate accompanied by Oligocene conglomerates and calcareous marl. Zind Humbrecht expresses its unique terroirs in each of its wines. There are wines from grand cru terroirs such as Rangen de Thann, Brand, Hengst and Goldert, as well as wines from specific delimited terroirs such as Clos Jebsal, Clos Windsbuhl, Heimbourg and Herrenweg. The long years of experience of both families are evident in the complexity of the grape varieties and the diversity of the wines. The estate works with great respect in the vineyards, allowing the characteristics of each parcel to express themselves. The owners attach great importance to working by hand. The result is ripe, well-balanced, concentrated grapes that produce racy, elegant wines. They benefit from a slow fermentation, of at least six months on lees, to refine and develop the bouquet.

Riesling Clos Windsbuhl 2022

This wine, a 100% Riesling, comes from the Muschelkalk limestone terroir (Trias) facing south-east, with a medium to steep slope. Clos Windsbuhl is planted on ancient sedimentary limestone dating from the secondary period. Being situated at a higher altitude and on the edge of the forest, it benefits from a climate conducive to late ripening of the grapes. It's often difficult to grasp how the composition of the soil can influence the character of a wine, but experience shows that the presence of a high magnesium content in the soil can confer a grainy structure and a savory acidity that, at times, can provoke premature fermentation.With a beautiful green to pale gold color, the nose, subtly floral with notes of white flowers, expresses mineral fragrances linked to the limestone geology of the site. This is followed by notes of dry grass, damp stone and citrus fruit. The palate is full-bodied and lively, with a pleasant sensation of tension or a tight, straightforward mouthfeel. The mid-palate texture is suave, elegant and leaves an impression of absolute energy with a most disconcerting vivacity. Very mineral overall, this Riesling is long, seriously vinified and full of drive. What class!

Riesling Roche Calcaire 2022

This 100% Riesling comes from several of Zind Humbrecht's limestone terroirs, and can even be described as a parcel, since it comes from several parcels. The limestone soils here are a little less precocious when it comes to Riesling ripeness, as the soils have a water reserve that feeds the vines naturally and gradually when they need it. The resulting wines ferment in vats more slowly to transform sugars into alcohol than other batches from other parcels on the estate. As a result, the wines have a much less expressive aromatic profile, at least in their early years, than other cuvées on the estate, and are tauter with sharper acidity. Riesling Roche Calcaire 2022 has a beautiful, pale yellow color. The nose is discreet, for the reasons given above, but gradually opens up to notes of lemon and citrus. The palate is taut, very straightforward, almost austere (as it should be), with a clean, full attack. The Riesling is perfectly ripe, with great brilliance and precision. All in all, this is a wine of great breed, with the texture of a great Alsace dry white and great cellaring potential (at least 20 years).

Great vintages by Zind Humbrecht:

1945-1947-1949-1953-1959-1961-1975-1981-1982-1985-1988-1989-1990-1992-1995-1998-2000-2005-2009-2010-2015-2016-2018-2019-2020-2022