Ahead of Maison Trimbach’s 100^th Anniversary Clos Ste Hune Celebration this month, we wanted to transport you to Alsace to share our recent trip to one of the region’s greatest producers.

Highly regarded for their historic excellence and their visionary spirit, Maison Trimbach remains true to the philosophy handed down to them by their 19^th century ancestor, Frédéric Emile, even after 13 generations (Pierre, Jean, Anne, Julien, Frédérique and Pauline are currently at the helm). This means bone-dry wines that are strong on structure, longevity and fruit, with unparalleled elegance, balance and food-friendly versatility.

The wines offer a pure reflection of the sun-warmed, diverse terroirs surrounding Ribeauvillé, the medieval town which has been home to the family for over a century. With an average vine age of 47 years, their 58 hectares of vines stretch over more than 70 parcels and nine villages, including Grands Crus Geisberg, Schlossberg, Mandelberg and Brand.

It is testament to the quality of Trimbach’s wines that they are listed at every three Michelin starred restaurant in France. The jewels in their crown are their Grands Crus Clos Ste Hune and Frédéric Emile, which is sourced from Grands Crus Geisberg and Osterberg. Iconic Clos Ste Hune is a 1.67ha parcel within Grand Cru Rosacker in Hunawihr, which the Trimbach family have owned for more than 200 years.

Day One

Our journey began with a quick flight to Basel, from where we headed to the beautiful village of Ribeauvillé. After admiring the classic Alsatian architecture and managing to spot a crane perched on a tower outside the winery, we reached Maison Trimbach. Jean Trimbach, 12^th generation and global Trimbach ambassador extraordinaire, took us for a late lunch at local restaurant Ville de Nancy, where we tucked into local white asparagus and pork, washed down with their Frédéric Emile Riesling 2013 (James Suckling 95 points). It was drinking amazingly, with searing acidity, evolved fruit characteristics of crisp apple and candied fruit, finished with a delicious minerality.

The view over Ribeauvillé from the Grand Cru Geisberg vineyard.

Afterward, we strolled around the Grand Cru Osterberg and Grand Cru Geisberg vineyards, which back onto the winery and look out across the village. We then drove to the iconic Clos Ste Hune vineyard, where Jean produced a bottle of Clos Ste Hune Riesling 2014 from the boot of his car.  It was a special experience for us all to enjoy this wine in the heart of this 1.67ha parcel within Grand Cru Rosacker in Hunawhir, which has belonged to the Trimbach family for more than 200 years. With ripe white fruit notes and a silky texture, it was exhibiting the stunning minerality and bone-dry elegance that you would expect from this exceptional terroir.

In the Clos Ste Hune vineyard

Dinner was at Auberge de L’Ill, the legendary family-run restaurant that dates back to 1950, which gained its first Michelin star in 1952, a second in 1957 and its third star in 1967. Currently holding two Michelin stars, our meal was a masterclass in French gastronomy, executed to the highest standards. Its flawless blend of white tablecloth yet personable and friendly service was austere yet approachable, just like the Trimbach wines.

The evening was filled with incredible food and wine matches, and lots of insightful nuggets from Jean, not least of which being the way he calls the Trimbach Réserve Pinot Gris his “Swiss army knife” wine, thanks to its brilliant food pairing capability. He also shared how he loves to serve by-the-glass wines from magnum to increase the theatre of serve. Plus, the Alsace bottle looks so elegant and striking in magnum format!

Day Two

The next day we met Jean’s son, Julien, at the winery for a tour of the tardis-like cellar – from the original cellars filled with huge oak vats dating back to 1717 and dusty racks of bottles, including a 1957 Clos Ste Hune, through to the modern extensions with slick stainless steel tanks. Out of the cellars we headed into the Trimbach tasting room for a range tasting with Jean and Julien.

The tasting was a true masterclass and included a sneak preview of wines yet to be released from Maison Trimbach, alongside current vintages. Some standout wines included:

• 2021 Riesling Sélection de Vieilles Vignes – an elegant old vine Riesling with limestone-driven minerality.
• 2019 Riesling Grand Cru Geisberg – a classic Riesling vintage, vibrant and saline, reflecting Alsace’s unique terroir.
• 2019 Clos Ste Hune Riesling – awarded 100 points by James Suckling, this Riesling is precise and fresh with impeccable balance.

The Grand Cru tasting lineup. Labels are designed by Jean’s niece

Heading out of Ribeauvillé on our way to Colmar for lunch, we had our final glimpse of Château du Girsberg that will be hosting the 100^th Anniversary Clos Ste Hune Celebration this November.

During lunch at L’Epicurean, we experienced a “nouveau” approach to French gastronomy, with a blend of traditional local dishes such as “paleron de boeuf” mixed in with more modern dishes that wouldn’t have been out of place in East London, like the delicious “l’oeuf bio” (which paired exceptionally with Trimbach’s Grand Cru Schlossberg Riesling 2017). The slow-cooked beef was a perfect match with the Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie that Jean chose.

Whilst Jean is Alsatian through and through, I admired his passion for exploring the great wines from regions outside of his own. For him, having a deep knowledge of what the great wine regions of France - and the rest of the world - are producing is the best way to know that his family’s wines deserve their status of icon wines.

As the Trimbach family readies to celebrate Clos Ste Hune’s 100^th anniversary this November, it’s a fitting time to explore the Trimbach wines available at Enotria&Coe — ideal for toasting both the history and the future of Alsatian wine.

RÉSERVE

6386 | 2018 Pinot Gris Réserve, Trimbach | £19.69 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)

6391 | 2022 Riesling Réserve, Trimbach | £22.92 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)

6390| 2017 Gewürztraminer Réserve, Trimbach | £25.30 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)

A094 | 2022 Riesling Sélection de Vieilles Vignes, Trimbach | £26.79 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)

6385 | 2022 Pinot Noir Réserve, Trimbach | £19.53 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)

FRÉDÉRIC EMILE

6388 | 2018 Riesling Frédéric Emile, Trimbach | £52.36 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)

RÉSERVE PERSONNELLE

6389 | 2016 Gewürztraminer Cuvée des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre, Trimbach | £35.55 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)

VENDANGES TARDIVES & SGN

6397 | 2017 Gewürztraminer Vendanges Tardives, Trimbach | £45.42 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)

6396 | 2008 Gewürztraminer Sélection de Grains Nobles, Trimbach | £88.90 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)

Plus, the following wines are currently available on allocation from the winery – speak to your Account Manager to find out more or to request release dates for other Trimbach wines, including Clos Ste Hune:

GRANDS CRUS

E170 | 2021 Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg, Trimbach | £43.42 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)

K811 | 2020 Riesling Grand Cru Brand, Trimbach | £38.08 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)

B102 | 2018 Riesling Grand Cru Geisberg, Trimbach | £49.71 per bottle Duty Paid ex VAT List Price (75cl)