Achillee Quetsches Alors
This week’s Wine Crush is Achillée 'Quetsches Alors' 2019 from Alsace, France.
Among the many definitions of the word elixir, including cure-all, substance capable of prolonging life indefinitely, or of changing base metals into gold, we propose adding this delicious pét-nat of plums to the list. This foot-trodden bubbly plum wine from the Achillée winery in Alsace, France is delightfully acidic, fruity, and nothing like the idea of plum wine that exists in your head. Made from biodynamically farmed plums that grow on the vineyard and blended with 5% Riesling grapes at bottling (which jumpstarts the secondary fermentation and gives the wine its fizzy pét-nat quality) this is an exceptionally easy-drinking bottle. With the hazy quality of kombucha, hints of spice and herbs, and well-balanced acidity, it’s a perfect late-afternoon sipper at just 5.5% abv!
The Achillée Winery has been organic since 1999, biodynamic since 2003, and independent since 2006 when the family’s two sons, Jean and Pierre took over. They began making plum wine from the seven hectares of fruit orchards that grow alongside the vineyard last year. And while it’s definitely up to you to make your own assessment as to what substance may or may not be capable of prolonging life indefinitely, we plan on sipping this delightful wine all summer long.
Swing by Sunset Hill or West Seattle to grab a bottle, or order online!