Showing posts with label Adam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adam. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

About those big oak barrels in Alsace

This is a big oak wine barrel as we use it in Alsace.


Depending on the size barrels like this can contain from 6.000 to 8.000 liters.
Some barrels are over 100 years old.

They are not used to work on the tannin's of the wines. In the old days we simply did not have stainless steel tanks. Today they are still used though, because they "breath".

Inside a barrel you will find a heating element.By heating up the juices the winemaker can start and control the temperature and with that the proces of fermentation.


Did you ever wonder how they would clean a big barrel like on the picture above, from the inside?


By climbing in: ...... on the picture you can see the boot and leg of a man that got in and is brushing and washing the inside. Not for claustrophobic 's ...





Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Jean Baptiste Adam celebrates 400 years of wine making coming May 24 - 2014

It is a special privilege to be able to say your family has been in business for 400 years! Jean Baptiste Adam has this privilege, and will be celebrating this on 24 May 2014 with an open house wine tasting.

Established in 1614 Jean Baptiste Adam has been producing fine wines in Alsace for fourteen continuous generations. Each generation passes down the knowledge and skill of their fine craft to the next, and each new generation improves upon this.


A visit to Jean Baptiste Adam is a wonderful experience. Located in the Alsatian village of Ammerschwihr, as your first enter the building you are greeted by their family tree, tracing the generations of the Adam family from 1614 to the present day. Directly in front of the family tree is a show case of documents surviving two world wars.


Before tasting the wines we will tour the cave. Beautifully hand carved wine barrels line an underground wine cave. Dating back to the 1800's they are large barrels of elegantly aged wood that are still being used today to create the wines we will enjoy.


The old wine press appears to be made only of wood. The heavy wooden grape collecting at harvest time, are made of wood and leather. There are large wooden barrels and a carriage used to carry grapes in for pressing.


There are ceramic vats used for making the wines, and temperature control devices that can measure the temperature of the wine, and add a bit of warmth if needed.

The original sign of J.B. Adam

Carved out of wood and painted to perfection is a beautiful bust of an Alsatian women in full dress; this is the most elegantly decorated wine press screw I have seen anywhere. Every time we visit J.B. Adam, I always pause to look at her again.


The wines are exceptional. Tasting is always a treat. Starting with a Sylvaner we work our way through several samples. Sylvaner, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir.

A specialty ot the village Ammerschwihr is the Grand Cru Kaefferkopf, a blend of Gewurztraminer and Riesling. A lovely combination in which the Riesling adds a touch of life and freshness to the fruity Traminer taste.


JB Adam produces three styles of Pinot Noir:

  • Alsatian style (vinified as a white wine), 
  • Pinot Noir "Les Natures", (biological wine)
  • and Pinot Noir  "eleve en fut de chene" (Burgundy style)

I love the toasty slightly burnt taste of the oak aged Pinot Noir. The 2009 was a superb year, 2012 was great too and almost sold out.

One wonderful expression of French wines are the purity of the wines. Jean Baptist Adam is progressive in moving further into what is known as organic wines, agriculture biological, also known as "Les Natures". These wines are produced without pesticides or chemicals and earn a special labeling. They are pure, flavorful and healthy.  

Schedule a tour with us from JoliSoleil and share with us some magical moments! We host small groups of two to twenty plus!

Learn the history, experience the wines, make memories that will last a lifetime.
Cheers!
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