At a glance

Producer

Dirler-Cadé

Region

Alsace, France

Grape variety

Riesling

Wine type

White

Body

Light-bodied and Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$40-$55

Tasting profile

Bright citrus, green apple, white peach with pronounced slate minerality and floral hints.

Evolution: Will develop richer honeyed and petrol notes with aging while maintaining acidity.

At peak: Elegant, complex palate with integrated acidity and pronounced minerality reaching full aromatic complexity by 2025–2028.

Structure

Acidity

High, crisp and well-balanced

Tannins

None (white wine)

Alcohol

13.0%-13.5%

Aging potential

10-15 years under proper cellaring

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2023 to 2050

Optimal window

2020 to 2053

Current status

Approaching early maturity with vibrant freshness

Current condition

Wine is fresh, focused with good acidity and minerality, drinking well but will improve with moderate aging over next 5-10 years

Alsace Rieslings of this quality and vintage are known to age gracefully due to high acidity and terroir-driven minerality. The 2018 vintage is balanced and ripe, supporting a drinking window of 10-15 years from vintage.

Food pairing

Excellent with seafood (shellfish, oysters), grilled fish, white meats with light sauces, Alsace tarte flambée, and moderately spicy Asian cuisine.

Serving

Serving temperature

8-10°C (46-50°F)

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Limited use of chemicals, integrated pest management, careful soil management, and efforts to reduce water usage. Packaging includes lightweight bottles to reduce transport emissions.

Dirler-Cadé is a medium-sized estate in Alsace with growing commitment to sustainability including sustainable farming practices. Although not certified organic or biodynamic, their viticulture minimizes chemical inputs and emphasizes soil health. Moderate carbon footprint primarily stems from export logistics rather than production. Overall, sustainability practices are above average for the region.