Domaine Marcel Deiss

His family has lived in Bergheim since 1744. His heart beats for the real and genuine Alsatian wine. His heart rivals his humour -- a fact anyone will realise upon first meeting Jean-Michel Deiss.

Stemming from various geological eras, the region's vast geological diversity gives the wines their unmistakable character. Jean-Michel Deiss wines manage to reproduce the geology, the soil conditions, the microclimate, the fauna and the flora -- basically the respective terroir -- of each site situated in about 26 hectares of vineyards spread over 9 parishes and more than 200 individual parcels. His masterpieces, the Vins de Terroir, come into being in the premier cru and grand cru sites such as Engelgarten, Gruenspiel, Mambourg or Schoenenbourg.  Primarily, the vineyard and its terroir dictate the personality, the character and the physiognomy of the wines, as Jean-Michel Deiss puts it. He even speaks of his 'humanité' with an compelling conviction...

Consequentially, the individual grape variety relinquishes the foreground. The precious vineyards have been planted in a mixed fashion, as was usual long ago. This may encompass up to 60 varieties: Riesling, pinot gris, muscat, gewuerztraminer, pinot noir, pinot beurot, auxerrois, etc. The varieties are densely planted -- 8000 to 12000 vine stocks per hectare -- to allow the wine to mirror its origin in every facet. Thus, the grapes are picked and pressed traditionally.

To transfer the uniqueness of the respective terroirs, the grounds and the vines must be cared for individually. Jean-Michel Deiss follows traditional Alsatian methods of viniculture that have been passed down through the generations. This includes the biodynamic practices he employs without immediately religionising them. His wines are certified by Biodyvin, a highly acclaimed association formed by renowned producers.

Jean-Michel Deiss' wines open a new perspective to a different, fascinating and complex world of wine. This means new wine terminologies and descriptions need to be invented. Jean-Michel Deiss teaches them...