Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/552044
{ SOMMjournal.com } 67 (spelled without an umlaut in Alsace) and Pinot Gris—receive maximum sunlight. A terroir shaped by its geological history and the wineries' reconciliation of time-tested techniques and new winemaking innovations, gives way to a wider spectrum of expres - sions beyond the extremely sweet wines many consumers are familiar with. Soils enriched with limestone, Oligocene, marl and granite all impart minerality and earthiness that bal- ance out the sweetness in the region's best wines. Helfr ich adds to this equation with the family's six-generation history in viticulture as well as patriarch Joseph Helfrich's founding of Les Grands Chais de France in 1979. Today, it is the second largest wine company in France, credited with launching a wine renais - sance in Alsace that puts it at the cutting-edge of technological and enological innovation. Frédér ic Helfrich and his sister Anne-Laure represent the newest generation of the family and are bringing renewed attention to the rich Helfrich heritage. The Wines The offerings in Helfrich's "Noble" tier attain their distinctive personalities through the aro- matic expression of each grape variety coming from their Couronne d'Or viney ard, situated just outside Marlenheim. The Riesling is fresh and structured, with notes of orange, manda- rin and minerals, while the Pinot Gris features nuances of white-fleshed fruits like quince and apricot which complement smoky notes, a rich mouthfeel and lingering finish. The spirited Gewurztraminer features aromas of flowers, spices and exotic fruits such as lychee and pas - sion fruit. The Pinot Blanc is ideal for pairing with salads, vegetables, fish and Asian food with its delicate aromas of concentrated fruit that are balanced by additional fruit flavors and freshness that lend to a lingering finish. The Helfrich Grand Cru Steinklotz Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer wines, meanwhile, are vini - fied to translate the qualities inherent in those grape varietals into wines designed to be cellared and mature with grace. The grapes originate from vines grown at Steinklotz, the oldest recorded vineyard in Alsace, dating to the sixth century. Situated at the far north end of the Alsace wine route, with elevations between 600 and 1,000 feet, this Grand Cru is also distinguished by soil is comprised of almost eight inches of loam covering hard calcareaous bedrock. The grapes are dry-farmed, and at harvest time (between mid-October and the beginning of November) hand-picked. Helfrich's Crémant d'Alsace, crafted from 100% Pinot Blanc and vinified in the méthode traditionelle, stirs the senses with its straw-yellow color, fresh and fruity aromas, fine bubbles and an elegant, fruity and well-balanced pal - ate with a crisp, clean finish. Helfrich is also helping broaden Alsace's influence and appeal with an elegant new approach to bottling and packaging, which adds greater luxury, glamour and cachet to the wines among its professional buyers, sommeliers and consumes. Distinguishing features of the Alsace Grand Cru flûte bottles include a premium branded capsule, a stylish crest embossed near the neck and a prominent and recognizable brand flag printed on pre - mium pearled paper. The Crémant d'Alsace bottles feature an alluring, feminine bottle graced with a brand flag highlighted with golden grape leaves. www.helfrich-wines.com Rooted in Alsace: Winemaker Nicolas Haeffelin Given that Nicolas Haeffelin came of age in a winemaking family with deep roots in Alsace, it was only logical that he followed his ancestors into the family business. However, he continues to have a lot to aspire to, given that the seeds of his family's wine dynasty date to the 1560s. As a child, Nicolas found himself inspired by his family's accomplish - ments. His paternal grandfather r egularly took him to the vineyards. He nostalgically recalls the harvest was his favorite time of year, watch- ing grapes get processed, tasting the juice coming straight off the press and taking in the flavors and aromas of wines fermenting in the cellar. In his teens, he spent weekends and school holidays helping his family at the winery and vineyard, and later moved into getting to know import - ers and distributors to learn about the business aspects of winemaking first hand. Nicolas's rich education includes spending several years in Burgundy to become an enologist at the prestigious Institut Jules Guyot and working for a négociant in Burgundy and the Loire Valley. He spent six months in New Zealand at a family- owned winery to observe how their world-renowned Sauvignon Blanc was made. After his 2008 graduation, he put his experience to work in joining his father at Domaine Viticole de la Ville de Colmar. Today, Nicolas Helms the Arthur Metz Winery in Marlenheim, where the Helfrich wines are crafted, and also helps the global sales team to bring Helfrich to a wider interna - tional audience. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANDS CHAIX DE FRANCE Each varietal in the Helfrich "Noble" tier has a distinct personality. The Helfrich Grand Cru Steinklotz wines come from the oldest recorded vineyard in Alsace.