INSIDER'S PICK: 2022 MEYER-FONNE EDELZWICKER VIN d'ALSACE $21.99/1L

The return of one of our all-time favorite warm weather party sippers in liter form. Alsace is one of the great wine destinations in the world, providing both great juice AND natural/architectural excitement, keeping everyone's senses stimulated. It has in recent years grown more difficult to find value except in the largest of producers, and you tend to lose the charm of the region in most of those. All the more interesting (and surprising) to find a wine blend of this quality and value from one of the region's best-known creators of higher end varietal wines. Do the math here, and this is a $16.99 bottle of wine in a regular bottle, and you get to invite an extra friend over to enjoy it, if you want. The term Edelzwicker and Gentil d'Alsace both mean essentially the same thing as a blend of Alsatian varieties; Meyer-Fonne actually makes both using the same grapes in each, with the younger vines going into the Edelzwicker to make a more easy drinking and everyday wine. Classic Alsatian Five here of Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Muscat, Sylvaner and Gewurztraminer. Those that have a phobia about sweetness may worry about the Muscat and Gewurztraminer, but they are here purely for aromatics. This is drier than 95% of your oaky Chardonnays out there, and infinitely more complex and compelling. Loads of peach and white fruits on the nose with a little zesty lime and magnolia flower, pretty but not overpowering. A nice juicy body that gets a lot of the fruit on the palate, but also immediately minerally with lots of pear skin type drying tannins, leaving you with a nervy lime finish that begs for another sip. Very easy drinking and food friendly. ​

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