If you want to eat in Washington DC as close as possible to as you would in a restaurant in the countryside in France, you have to go to Bistro Lepic in Georgetown. Not at all fancy food, but good, basic French cuisine.
The restaurant is on the ground floor and on the first floor you find a nice lounge area with a bar. Currently, on Monday and Wednesday, Jazz groups are performing in the lounge and on Tuesday, between 6 and 8 am, you have a little wine tasting. This time, the wine tasting was a very special one, because the guest was Thomas Schlumberger from Domaines Schlumberger in Alsace. He presented 4 wines.
Domaines Schlumberger
Domaines Schlumberger is located in Alsace. A family vineyard established in 1810, there are currently two generations working the property side by side: Alain Beydon-Schlumberger (6th generation) and Severine and Thomas Schlumberger (7th generation).
Vineyards
The vineyard is unique in Alsace in that 70 of the 140 hectares are classified as Grand Crus. The vineyards provide the Schlumberger family with 100% of their fruit - they do not buy any fruit or unfinished wines from other growers. Because of the steep hillsides (some with slopes of 50 degrees), animals are used to work the land rather than agricultural machinery.
“We farm sustainably. We signed the Tyflo Charter in 2003. 30 hectares are in biodynamic farming. From generation to generation, the respect of nature and environment has always been an essential element of the way of life and philosophy of the family Schlumberger” said Thomas.
Vinification
“We have 120 old oak casks. They are equipped with thermoregulation systems and are the best combination between tradition and innovation. We also have 80 stainless steel vats” said Thomas.
The Schlumberg Portfolio
Les Princes Abbés: The classic range is called "Les Princes Abbes" in homage to the Princes Abbots who have maintained and made their vineyard of Guebwiller thrive for 1,000 years.
Les Grands Crus: The jewels of the Domaines Schlumberger; the Grands Crus offer 3 varieties: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer.
The grand cru classification was done in 1983 by the “Institut National des Appellations d’Origine” (INAO). Initially, only 25 Grands Crus existed, including the 4 of Guebwiller; 25 other Grands Crus were classified in 1992.
Les Cuvées de Collection: Coming from Late Harvest or from Selection de Grains Nobles (noble roots), these wines are only produced in exceptional years.
History
The Schlumberg family comes from Germany. Claus Schlumberger was the first to settle in Guebwiller in the XVI century during the period of the monks “The Princes Abbés”.
Under Ernst Schlumberger (1885-1954), the phyloxera destroyed the whole vineyard. He replanted it and then enlarged the vineyard from 40 hectares to 110 hectares.
The Wines Thomas Poured
2011 Pinot Blanc Les Princes Abbés
A blend of 70% Pinot Blanc and 30% Pinot Auxerrois. Sur lee aged 7 months. Residual sugar: 2 grs/l
Lemon yellow in the glass, light green reflections, floral and fruity notes on the nose, fresh structure, citrus fruits, lime, sweet almond on the palate, good finish.
2008 Riesling Les Princes Abbés
Sur lee aged 6 to 8 months. Held in stainless steel for 12 to 18 months. Residual sugar: 2,2 grs/l
Yellow with green reflections in the glass, earthy notes with a hint of fruitiness on the nose, medium intensity on the palate with notes of candied fruits, quince, a hint of bitterness on the finish with a nice length.
2009 Pinot Gris Les Princes Abbés
100% Pinot Gris. Sur lee aged 8 month. Residual sugar: 10.5 grs/l
Light yellow with straw reflections in the glass, earthy scents and a hint of fruitiness on the nose, good structure, flavors of quince, white flesh fruit and a hint of lemon on the palate, good acidity.
2007 Riesling Grand Cru Saering
Sur lee aged 8 months. Residual sugar: 3,9 grs/l
Lemon yellow in the glass with green reflections, attack of citrus fruits, candied lemon on the nose, coupled with floral hints, on the palate, aromas of lemon peel, spicy ginger, long finish.
schiller-wine: Related Postings
Dinner at Restaurant Winstub Gilg in Mittelbergheim in Alsace, France
Stopping at Domaine Armand Gilg in Mittelbergheim after Dinner at Winstub Gilg, Alsace, France
Visiting Colette Faller at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg in Alsace
Visiting Jean Trimbach at Maison Trimbach in Ribeauville in Alsace
The World Class Wines of Alsace
In the Glass: Hugel et Fils wines at the cuisine des emotions de Jean Luc Brendel at Riquewihr in Alsace
In the world class white wine region Alsace
Jean Trimbach and the Wines of Maison Trimbach in Washington DC
Visiting Yann-Leon Beyer at Maison Leon Beyer in Eguisheim in Alsace
The Wines of Domaine Lucien Albrecht and the Food of La Chaumiere in Washington DC, USA/France
Hotel and Restaurant L’Ami Fritz and Domaine Fritz-Schmitt, both in Ottrot, Alsace, France