2022 Domaine Zind Humbrecht Gewürztraminer

On the gravelly valley floor of Turckheim, Gewurztraminer is perhaps the most planted grape variety. This grape variety has the potential to ripen to very high sugar level but needs some time to also ripen physiologically. Of all the cultivars planted in Alsace, Gewurztraminer is the one that struggles the most to change colour (véraison) and is the richest in polyphenols, hence the need of a warmer micro-climate and early ripening site, conditions found in Turckheim. Unfortunately, these soils have very little water retention capacity due to exceptional drainage capacity. Climate change in Alsace means warmer temperatures during the ripening season. The consequence is that the vines need more water to compensate a higher evapotranspiration. In 2022, this area in Turckheim missed almost all the rains the neighbouring vineyards were lucky to have. There was a big potential of harvest, but the drought and heat provoked coulure and in summer the berries remained very small. The high ratio skins/juice increases the aromatic and phenolic concentration of the wine. Luckily, because the grapes ripen earlier when days are warmer/longer, it is also quicker to achieve such ripeness and therefore avoiding high sugar concentrations.