Alsace in a Nutshell: François Baur
Tucked away on the far eastern edge of France, at the crossroads of several cultures, on land that traded hands and flags over the centuries, sits modern France's most intriguing corner. While it is the French tricolor that flies overhead today, it has an undeniable German inflection and sensibility, as well as intact medieval architecture and storybook-fantastical towns.
The vineyards of the region occupy a narrow strip, east of the Vosges mountains, running from the south to the north, all the way to the 49th parallel (that’s the same latitude as the US-Canada border).
Despite its northern locale, Alsace is one of the driest regions in France, and combined with the long hours of sunlight during the growing season, there is no other place that produces white wines with quite the richness and power, complemented by electrifying acidity. We’re talking bold flavors, with immediate appeal, that also display nuance and reward your attention.
The whole of this past, present, and future of Alsace could be summed up with all its diversity and detail in one person: Thomas Baur. His infectious energy and passion will rope you in from the moment you step into the courtyard of the François Baur winery in the village of Turkheim. But spend a little time with him and he will tutor you on the micro-nuances of the history of the region, vineyard sites, and farming organically in marginal climates.
As a 9th-generation winemaker in the region, he carries the history of the region inside him, yet the wines he makes are not rustic - he is future-forward thinking, meticulous, and above all, delighted by the wines he has the pleasure of creating.
We love the Baur wines for their bright aromatics, rich body, age-ability, mouthwatering acidity, and overall intensity. They are the perfect food wines, and don’t wilt in the presence of a hearty meal. Alsace is known for its stick-to-your-ribs foods like baekhoffe, flammkuchen, choucroute garni, or salt-crusted beef, often accompanied by a big pile of creamy potatoes. And wine...zingy, complex, and delightful white wines!
We’ve got two of Thomas’ exemplary wines for you today from his prized Herrenweg vineyard - a bone-dry Riesling, and rich, bracing Pinot Gris.
• FRANÇOIS BAUR Riesling Herrenweg 2023 •
A benchmark vineyard for the appellation with Thomas' neighbors a veritable who's who of organic and biodynamic farmers: Josmeyer, Barmes, Zind-Humbrecht. This is Riesling with tension; loaded with apricot, peach, and passion fruit, followed by a stoney edge and laser-like acidity on the finish.
• FRANÇOIS BAUR Pinot Gris Herrenweg 2023 •
This one is a real standout and, in contrast to the typical Pinot Grigio, delivers a rich, weighty texture, full of intense autumn apples, yet bone-dry and with nervy acidity. It can stand up to a strong blue cheese, a spicy sausage sandwich, or maybe a burger and fries with hot mustard would do the trick here.