U.S. Distributors
Massachusetts: Charles River Wine Co.
Maine: Pine State Beverage
Vermont: Vermont Wine Merchants
Connecticut: Angelini Wines
New York/New Jersey: Noble House Wines
Washington DC/Virginia: William Harrison Imports
California: Wine Warehouse
Domaine Gerard Metz is located in the charming village of Ittersviller on
the eastern slope of the Vosges mountains in the heart of Alsace halfway
between Strasbourg and Colmar. The estate includes 12 hectares of vines,
including the Grand Cru Muenchberg, with diverse soils which are matched
with their appropriate grape varieties. The vines range in age from 10 to
35 years, and the estate is run as organically as possible with little use
of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides (lutte raisonee). The Cuvee Tradition
line is made from young vines on the estate (10-14 years old). These wines
are fresh, bright, clean and varietally correct. The single vineyard and
Vieilles Vignes wines are 35 years old and show commensurate richness, complexity,
texture and length.
According to the affable and energetic Eric Casimir, harvesting is done by
hand, and it usually takes four weeks to harvest all the parcels(more if
vendange tardive wines are produced) as the different grape varieties and
vineyard sites ripen at different times. The grapes are pressed lightly to
preserve their fresh aromas and fermented traditionally for 20-25 days. The
wines are then aged on their lies for 6-10 months which enhances their aromatics
and gives them a fine, rich texture on the palate. The wines are bottled
as gently as possible, minimizing the possibility of oxidation.
In general, the wines of this estate are finished dry and clean with plenty
of ripe, fresh fruit balanced by crisp acidity. On the palate the wines have
a fine, rich texture and great length from the extended lies contact. The
basic typicity of each grape variety and soil type shines through clearly.
As a group they are excellent examples of what can be produced in Alsace
at very reasonable prices.
