Producer Spotlight · Alsace · Organic & Biodynamic
Alsace is one of the most misunderstood wine regions in France. Ask someone to name a great Alsatian wine and they will likely say Riesling, and they would be right, but they might also tell you it is always sweet, or always aromatic, or somehow less serious than Burgundy or Bordeaux. None of that is accurate, and Domaine Valentin Zusslin is one of the estates that proves it most convincingly.
This month, we turn our July spotlight toward the northeastern tip of France, to a family domaine in Orschwihr that has been farming organically and biodynamically for decades and producing wines of remarkable precision and depth in the process.
Why Alsace Deserves More Attention
Alsace sits along the eastern border of France, sheltered from Atlantic rain by the Vosges mountains and blessed with one of the driest, sunniest climates of any French wine region. The result is grapes that ripen fully while retaining natural acidity, a combination that, in the right hands, produces wines of extraordinary balance.
The region works across a range of grape varieties: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Sylvaner, and often overlooked, Pinot Noir. The terroir diversity is significant, with Grand Cru sites perched on slopes of varying geology, each capable of producing wines with distinct personality.
What makes Alsace truly exciting right now is the growing number of producers committed to organic and biodynamic viticulture, bringing an added layer of integrity to wines that were already compelling on character alone.
About Domaine Valentin Zusslin
The Zusslin family has been farming in Orschwihr, in the southern part of Alsace, for generations. The domaine converted fully to biodynamic agriculture in the 1990s and has maintained Demeter certification since, placing it among the region's most committed natural producers. The approach in the vineyard is as important as the approach in the cellar: healthy soil, biodiversity, and an understanding that the vine is part of a living ecosystem rather than a production unit.
The wines that result are not made to a formula. They are expressive, site-specific, and occasionally surprising, which is precisely what you want from a region with as much terroir diversity as Alsace.
Explore the full range at: https://www.thevintageclub.my/collections/domaine-valentin-zusslin
This Month's Featured Wines
- Domaine Valentin Zusslin, Alsace Pinot Noir 'Bollenberg' Red 2020: The Bollenberg is one of the warmest, most distinctive hillsides in southern Alsace a sun-trap of calcareous and loamy soils that allows Pinot Noir to ripen with genuine depth. This 2020 is a revelation for anyone who thinks of Alsace exclusively as white wine country: red cherry fruit, fine tannins, earthy mineral notes, and a freshness that keeps it lively at the table. Think of it as a Burgundy cousin with its own unmistakable character. Superb with duck, salmon, or mushroom-based dishes.
- Domaine Valentin Zusslin, Riesling 'Les Chapelles' 2022: Les Chapelles is a single-vineyard Riesling grown on stony, mineral soils. The 2022 vintage produced wines of terrific precision across Alsace, and Zusslin's Les Chapelles is among the highlights: citrus, white peach, and a zesty mineral backbone that lingers long after the last sip. This is Riesling at its most compelling, dry, focused, and structured enough to age gracefully for another five to eight years. An exceptional food wine, particularly with seafood, Asian cuisine, or aged cheeses.
Both wines are available now. Shop the Domaine Valentin Zusslin collection at The Vintage Wine Club Malaysia.
Organic & Biodynamic: What It Means in the Glass
Biodynamic farming is sometimes dismissed as mysticism, but its effects on wine are increasingly well-documented. Vineyards farmed biodynamically tend to produce grapes with more complex flavour profiles, better natural acidity, and a clearer expression of the specific site they come from. For consumers, this translates into wines that are more interesting, wines that tell you something about where they came from rather than simply tasting generically pleasant.
Zusslin's commitment to this approach over decades means the vineyard health is exceptional. The wines carry a vitality that is difficult to achieve through conventional viticulture, and they age remarkably well as a result.
Your Alsace Wine Questions
Are Alsace wines sweet? The vast majority of Alsace wines produced by quality estates like Zusslin are dry. The Riesling Les Chapelles and Pinot Noir Bollenberg are both fully dry wines. Sweeter styles (Vendanges Tardives, Sélection de Grains Nobles) exist but represent a small fraction of production.
Is Alsace wine available in Kuala Lumpur? The Vintage Wine Club Malaysia carries a carefully selected range of Alsace wines, with a focus on organic and biodynamic producers. Browse the full Alsace collection here.
What food pairs well with Alsace wines? Alsace wines are among the most food-versatile in France. The Riesling works beautifully with seafood, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, and anything with a touch of spice. The Pinot Noir Bollenberg is a natural partner for duck, salmon, and earthy, umami-rich dishes.
Alsace is a region that repays curiosity richly. Domaine Valentin Zusslin is one of its finest ambassadors, an estate that combines centuries of family tradition with a genuine commitment to the land. If you have not yet explored what biodynamic Alsace wine can offer, July is an excellent moment to start.
For orders, enquiries, or personalised recommendations, contact The Vintage Wine Club Malaysia at admin@thevintageclub.my, WhatsApp +6012 2801623, or visit us at Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.
Browse the full French wine selection at The Vintage Wine Club Malaysia.