Muscat
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2025
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
White asparagus with hollandaise sauce, fresh goat cheese, mild herb-infused Asian dishes
✨ Technical Specifications
In Alsace, Muscat has a storied history dating back to at least the 16th century, celebrated for its uniquely dry, intensely aromatic profile that contrasts with the sweet Muscats of the Mediterranean. Domaine Dirler-Cadé crafts their Grand Cru Muscat from prestigious plots like Spiegel and Saering, where the soils—ranging from clay-limestone to sandy-pebble conglomerates—impart a profound mineral structure. Cultivated under strict biodynamic principles and harvested by hand, this wine represents a harmonious marriage of Muscat Ottonel, which brings delicate floral notes, and Muscat à Petits Grains, which provides structure and acidity. The result is a dry, crystalline white wine that captures the pure, energetic essence of the grape, balanced by a vibrant, stony minerality that reflects its Grand Cru heritage.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1871 by Jean Dirler in the southern Alsatian village of Bergholtz, Domaine Dirler-Cadé took its modern form in 2000 following the marriage of fifth-generation vigneron Jean Dirler to Ludivine Cadé. Pioneers of ecological viticulture in the region, the family began converting to biodynamics in 1998 under the guidance of François Bouchet, attaining full Biodyvin and Demeter certification across their 18 hectares of vines. The estate's holdings are distinguished by prime parcels in four Grand Crus—Kessler, Kitterlé, Saering, and Spiegel—alongside celebrated lieux-dits such as Belzbrunnen, Bux, and Bollenberg. Here, steep slopes composed of Buntsandstein pink sandstone, volcanic conglomerates, and marl-limestone are worked by hand and horse-plowed. In the cellar, low-intervention vinification emphasizes gentle pressing, native yeast fermentations, and unhurried aging on fine lees in traditional neutral foudres and stainless steel. The resulting dry Rieslings, aromatic Pinot Gris, structured Gewurztraminers, and precision Crémants deliver intense mineral clarity, textural poise, and profound ageability.
🍇 Grapes
Muscat Ottonel, Muscat à Petits Grains