The shape of Alsace wine bottles (the “Rhine flute”) is distinctive and can be off-putting to some consumers who (unfairly) associate it with the flabby Liebfraumilch of the ’70s and ’80s, and for some the Gothic script used on the labels is a little intimidating; I like it, but I understand why others wouldn’t. Here’s an example also from Gustave Lorenz:
So Gustave Lorenz have taken a slightly different approach for one of their wines – far less emphasis on geographic origin and grape variety, far more emphasis on food matching, and hoping to attract slightly younger drinkers. Thus we have L’Ami des Crustaces which is probably best translated as “Great with Shellfish” as the literal “Friend of Crustaceans” doesn’t quite fit.
Where you stand on shellfish will be a major indicator of whether you like the label of this wine. Those that like seafood platters piled up with all manner of claws and tentacles and surgical tools to dismember will definitely love it, whereas those with shellfish allergies will probably be put off it.
I’m somewhere in between; I like the food but I prefer it shelled, de-boned and on a plate ready for me!
If you look at the label you can see “Pinot Blanc Classique”, so the variety isn’t being hidden (it’s more of an aside), but neither the producer name nor region are mentioned on the front.
Gustave Lorenz L’Ami des Crustacés Pinot Blanc Classique 2016 (12.5%, RRP ~ €16.50 via Febvre)
And so on to the most important part (for me), the wine itself. And it’s marvelous! It has plenty of texture, in good part due to the majority Auxerrois in the blend (see my post on Alsace blends for further info), and plenty of zippy acidity, so as well as briny seafood such as oysters the wine would actually work well with more flavoured seafood dishes and even poultry.
This wine is new to the Irish market but once available commercially I think I will treat myself to a case for picnics, barbecues and days ending in “y”!
Always a domaine looking forward (despite the labels), went there 25 years ago and they had a Wistub to promote and sell their wines. Rieslings weremy favourites, this sounds good.
I like their standard Riesling, the only one I’ve tried to date.
I’m really enjoying Auxerrois at the moment, tried my first single varietal last week.
I’m not very familiar with Lorenz but this sounds very appealing, and looks it too. If they update all their labels it will be a good move, but guessing they won’t.
Actually, if anything puts me off when it comes to Alsace, it’s old fashioned labels that look a tiny bit cheap. I love the flute, and the magnum version of this bottle shape is a thing of beauty.