Domaine Mittnacht Freres Pinot Blanc Terres d'Etoiles 2011

2011-Domaine-Mittnacht-Freres-Pinot-Blanc — Beautifully balanced.

40% Pinot Blanc and 60% Pinot Auxerrois from Alsace, France. Read on for the review and to find out why this wine can be labeled as a single varietal Pinot Blanc.

SRP of $19 and available for as low as $17. Sample submitted for review. 25,000 bottles produced. Imported by Michael Skurnik Wines.

From the bottle:

“Light, fresh and dry wine.

12.0% Alcohol”

Today we have another really excellent white wine from Alsace, but before we get to that how is it that a wine that consists of 60% Pinot Auxerrois is labeled as a single variety Pinot Blanc? Typically a single variety must make up 75% of the blend to be labeled as such. These rules vary by country however and in Alsace we find:

The relationship between Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc is interesting as the former is allowed to be anonymously used in varietal Pinot Blanc wines. In fact, it is legal under AOC Alsace conditions for a 100% Auxerrois wine to be labeled as Pinot Blanc.

It’s especially interesting since the two varieties are not extremely similar, but they do complement each other very nicely. Given this you’d think you’d want to know if you’re Pinot Blanc is actually 100% Pinot Auxerrois but perhaps all the wine so good they just don’t care!

The 2011 Domaine Mittnacht Freres Pinot Blanc Terres d’Etoiles begins with a very nice aroma consisting of apples, pears, quince and a bit of a spicy undertone. The wine tastes sublime. There’s nothing over the top here but it all just works. Apple, pear, spicy mineral notes and ginger combine with a nice thick texture and viscosity and great balance to create an absolutely delicious wine. The spicy streak culminates on the finish leaving you with apple infused mineral notes that linger nicely. Gorgeous!

Want more reviews of wines from Alsace? Check out some of our favorites!