Wines Unspecified Jean-Baptiste Adam - 2020

Viniou Reviews

Jean-Baptiste Adam's 2020 Grand Cru hails from Alsace, a region renowned for its exquisite white wines. Although the specific grape variety isn't detailed, Alsace Grands Crus are most commonly crafted from noble grapes such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, or Muscat. Wines from a Grand Cru classification epitomise the terroir's purity—expect a wine with remarkable aromatic expressiveness, crystalline minerality, and a structure that reflects both its varietal and the unique parcels of vineyard from which it originated. The 2020 vintage in Alsace was marked by a warm growing season, resulting in ripe fruit and nicely balanced acidity, likely yielding a wine of concentration, freshness, and verve.

The Alsace region, nestled between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, is blessed with a semi-continental climate bringing sunny, dry autumns that allow grapes to ripen slowly and fully. Its patchwork of soils—from granite and limestone to schist—imparts a stunning diversity of flavours and mineral traces to the wines. Alsace’s viticultural heritage spans centuries, and the tradition of monocépage (single-varietal bottling) ensures clarity of expression and authenticity. The Grand Cru status represents the pinnacle, with strictly delimited named sites that have demonstrated outstanding potential.

This dry Grand Cru white is exceptionally versatile at the table. If Riesling is the grape, pair it with delicate seafood—think poached turbot, scallops, or a citrus-dressed ceviche. For Gewurztraminer, consider spicy cuisine such as Thai or Indian curries, or local Alsatian fare like Munster cheese and baeckeoffe (an aromatic meat and potato casserole). Pinot Gris matches beautifully with roast poultry or mushroom-based dishes, and Muscat is delightful with springtime vegetables, goat’s cheese, or even as an aperitif.

Serve this wine lightly chilled, between 8-10°C, to preserve its freshness whilst allowing its bouquet to unfurl. Use large, tulip-shaped glasses to fully appreciate the aromatic complexity. Decanting for a short period may help to open up young Grand Cru whites from structured vintages like 2020. With proper cellaring, this wine will evolve brilliantly over the next decade.