History of the Domaine Marcel Deiss
Located in Bergheim, in the heart of Alsace, the Domaine Marcel Deiss an ambassador for the area. Descended from a winegrowing family which has lived in Bergheim since 1744, Marcel Deiss joined the army when he came of age and left his native territory. When he returned after the Second World War, he decided to commit himself to his family’s passion : working the vine. He worked to create a dynamic company with the help of his son, André. Today, the House is run by the charasmatic Jean-Michel Deiss and his son Mathieu.
A diverse, classified grand cru estate
The wines from the Marcel Deiss estate are each different according to the profile of their terroirs. One of the most iconic vineyards is the Champ de Failles de Ribeauvillé which has 38 hectares. It runs across hillsides belonging to the communes of Rorschwihr, Bergheim, Ribeauvillé, Zellenberg, Riquewihr and Sigolsheim.
Numerous famous Alsace grand crus are located on these plots and promise huge possibilities in the development of wines. The geological faults allow the vine’s roots to reach a depth of up to 40 metres. At this point they are protected from "world chaos" and apart from the superficial parts found on the ground’s surface. This "system from the bottom" is greatly beneficial, giving incredible results in the taste of the wine. The many valleys, streams and winds create microclimates. The alsace grapes are adapted to the harsh continental climate and the differences between day and night temperatures which allow slow growth and noble rot.
The terroir, the Marcel Deiss’s priority
The choice of biodynamic agriculture greatly contributes to protecting the terroirs in Alsace, one of the regions of France which has the highest diversity of soils. The estate has a variety of terroirs made up of limestone, granite, schists, gneiss, sandstone and iron.
The soils, rich in iron, contribute to the development of tannins and the colour of the wine. Tasting and comparing the wines of the estate is a unique, full-sensory experience, where you can understand more about the influence of the terroir on the taste of the wine. Furthermore, the Domaine Marcel Deiss has invested itself in a new level of appellation in Alsace : premier crus, from well-defined terroirs comparable to the climates of Burgundy.
Returning to ancient cultivation methods in Alsace
In a winegrowing region which gives prominence to the grape (riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris), at the Domaine Marcel Deiss, this is secondary to the terroir itself, to avoid promoting each individual identity. The vines are planted together on the plots and all the grape varieties receive the same treatment, as well as being harvested together. The wines are also vinified in the same way and in a minimally interventionist way to limit the vintage effect. The estate sets everything up so that only the terroir expresses the difference of each wine.
Geo-sensorial tasting or an observational expression of the terroir
This type of tasting is done in a dark glass, to give the value to the texture of the wine. The sense of touch is amplified, the palate, thanks to stimuli and sensations, is able to decipher the different characteristics of the terroirs. The "terroir awakening" expresses the differences according to the different composition of the soils. The texture of the wine takes precedence over the scents and often reflects a similarity with the appearance of the terroirs. With practice, it is possible to detect, say, a horizontal sediment or a cold thickness of clay.
The Marcel Deiss House has a singular philosophy for wine and terroirs, always ahead of its time. This estate is one of a kind, offering a unique, exciting approach to Alsace wines.
