Pinot Blanc - Helfant - Domaine Mader

A Pinot Blanc of Alsace which shows how deep and complex this grape variety can be when cultivated in a particularly suitable terroir. The Pinot Blanc Helfant is from the lieu-dit Helfant, on the hills of Hunawihr, in the heart of Alsace, in a location above Grand Cru Rosacker and near the Muhlforst parcel.

Here, Domaine Mader cultivates old Pinot Blanc vines on soils characterized by limestone and sandstone, capable of giving the wine a strong mineral component and substantial structure. The Mader family has farmed organically since 2007, with great attention to soil vitality and the expression of each individual vineyard.

The grapes are harvested by hand and whole-bunch pressed. Fermentation occurs spontaneously, and the wine is then aged on its fine lees in old oak barrels, where malolactic fermentation also takes place. This process allows the Pinot Blanc to develop greater complexity and identity, enriching the final organoleptic profile in a unique way.

Appearance: intense, luminous straw yellow.

Nose: elegant and complex, with aromas of ripe white fruit, flowers, balsamic notes, and delicate nuances of brioche and vanilla. With aeration, more mineral and profound sensations also emerge.

Palate: full-bodied, rich, and structured, with a pleasant savory and mineral which balances the wine's volume. The texture is creamy but not heavy, with a freshness that accompanies the sip through to a long, persistent finish.

It is a particularly food-friendly Pinot Blanc, perfect with baked fish, shellfish, seafood, white meats, poultry, risottos, mushrooms, and soft cheeses. Its structure also allows it to be paired with more elaborate dishes than those normally associated with Pinot Blanc.

The Pinot Blanc Helfant is one of the bottles that best represents what we look for in a producer: a small vineyard, great attention to the local terroir, and a wine capable of going far beyond the simple immediacy of the grape variety.

Selected by Lorenzo and Alberto, FISAR sommeliers, for Emporio diVino.