2024 Willm - Riesling Reserve (750ml)

Before there was Maison Willm the winery, there was Maison Willm the restaurant, known locally for its escargots à l'Alsacienne, snails simmered in a spiced white wine broth. Adolphe Willm gradually shifted his focus from gastronomy to viticulture, and in 1896 the family formally established its estate in Barr, beneath the Kirchberg de Barr Grand Cru vineyard. The house built an early reputation for dry, refined wines that traveled well, and it became one of the first Alsace producers to export to the United States after Prohibition ended, a legacy that carries into its wines today.

The Reserve Riesling is hand-harvested, then given an extended, gentle pressing before fermenting for four to six weeks in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine rests on its fine lees for another two to three months, a step that builds texture and depth ahead of bottling, all while keeping the fruit's natural character front and center.

In the glass it shows pale yellow with golden hints, and the nose carries citrus and white flower aromatics with real intensity. The palate stays straightforward and fresh, buoyed by good acidity and a persistent finish with a light spicy edge. It pairs naturally with seafood, smoked or raw fish, roasted white meats, sauerkraut, or goat cheese.