Fantastic organic orange wine from Alsace

Beautifully made! This orange/amber wine. Interesting, without becoming too funky! This Gustave Lorentz Qui l’Eût Cru is a clean and unfiltered natural wine where every sip is a new discovery!
Even a traditional winemaker like Gustave Lorentz from Alsace has to move with the times! The name of the wine ‘Qui l’Eût Cru’ literally means: ‘Who would have thought’. Orange Wine is a wine in which the grapes, including their skins, are slowly macerated to give the wine a tannic structure and an orange color. The wine then ferments for two months in barrels without the addition of yeast or sulfites. This is innovative, especially now, in a traditional region that actually uses a very old winemaking method originating from Georgia, which has been completely rediscovered and we can safely say is quite “hot” among the modern wine drinker. This winemaking method results in different aromas that you would not immediately expect from these grapes (Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner, and Pinot Gris). A beautiful pastel orange color.

How does the Gustave Lorentz Qui l’Eût Cru Orange Wine taste?

On the nose, there are intense floral notes (rose petals, acacia honey), herbs and curry, mandarin peel and almond, and aromas of mulled wine in the finish! On the palate, it is fresh, with a clear tannin structure. The Gustave Lorentz Qui l’Eût Cru Orange Wine has good length and a delicate hint of salinity in the finish.

A gastronomic wine par excellence that pairs with many dishes. Perhaps classic rabbit in a mustard sauce, but also spicy Asian dishes such as Thai. Who would have thought, indeed?! And all this straight from the traditional bastion of Alsace.

Gustave Lorentz

Gustave Lorentz Winery was founded in 1836, but the Lorentz family's wine history goes back significantly further, even to the mid-17th century. “One family, one village, and seven generations of winemakers” is therefore Gustave Lorentz’s slogan today. Georges Lorentz has been at the helm since 1995. However, the eighth generation – his three daughters – is ready to join the business as well. Of their 33 hectares, slightly less than half is classified as Grand Cru. Since taking over, Georges has implemented a considerable number of modern insights. The Gustave Lorentz Qui l’Eût Cru Orange Wine is a fine example of this. Thus, in addition to quality, the focus lies on balance, purity, personality, and drinkability. Sustainability is also of crucial importance to Georges. Since 2012, all their own vineyards have been organically certified by EcoCert.

Discovery of the Alsace wine region

Alsace, located in the far northeast of France, distinguishes itself from other French wine regions by its strong Franco-German influences. These influences are the result of a back-and-forth between German and French sovereignty over the last few centuries. They can be found not only in the architecture and culture of Alsace, but also in the wines. Alsace wines are produced under three main appellations: Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru for still white wines (sweet and dry), and Crémant d’Alsace for sparkling wines.

Almost all wines produced in this region fall under one of these three appellations. Grand Cru wines from Alsace are produced on one of the 51 privileged vineyards scattered along the entire length of the region. Alsace is the only French wine region that produces significant quantities of Riesling and Silvaner. These two grape varieties are naturally also associated with German wines and are a reminder of the history of Alsace.