Why it matters
The producer
Domaine Fernand Engel is based in Rorschwihr at the foot of Haut-Koenigsbourg castle. It is now the largest certified organic wine estate in Alsace, with biodynamic practices forming part of its farming since 2003.
The domaine works under two house labels, Fernand Engel and Joseph Rudloff. Its bottles include Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Crémant d'Alsace Chardonnay, giving the estate a range that moves from still varietal wines to sparkling Chardonnay.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Rorschwihr lies in the centre of Alsace, at the foot of Haut-Koenigsbourg castle. The domaine also holds Grand Cru Gewürztraminer in the Altenberg vineyard in Bergheim, where steep slopes face south and create a warm microclimate.
Grand Cru is a classification for a named vineyard site. On the Altenberg label, the vineyard name identifies the classified site, while Bergheim names the village location and Gewürztraminer names the grape.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range spans white varietal bottlings, a Grand Cru Gewürztraminer from Altenberg and sparkling Chardonnay under the Crémant d'Alsace appellation. Named bottles include Domaine Fernand Engel Pinot Gris Réserve 2022, Domaine Fernand Engel Riesling Réserve 2022, Domaine Fernand Engel Pinot Blanc Réserve 2024, Domaine Fernand Engel Gewurztraminer Bergheim 2020 and Crémant d'Alsace Chardonnay.
Praelatenberg Riesling 2020 belongs to the domaine's named vineyard bottlings. It gives the range a site specific Riesling alongside the broader Réserve labels and the Gewürztraminer from Altenberg.