Domaine Amelie et Charles Sparr, Sentiment Riesling, 2018
Domaine Amelie et Charles Sparr, Sentiment Riesling, 2018
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- White Still
- Riesling
- Organic
- Biodynamic
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2027
About Domaine Amelie et Charles Sparr, Sentiment Riesling, 2018
Husband and wife team, both raised in classic wine families, are now crafting wines that carry the deep traditions of Alsace whilst remaining exciting and forward-looking. The vineyards are a combination of both leased and owned however all are run with biodynamic practices and hold ‘eco-cert’ certification.
Thanks to generational experience and support, Charles and Amelie carefully manage their vineyards to ensure each varietal and terroir are maximise their potential.
"A rich, honeyed tropical melon, papaya nose, dusted with cinnamon, but some smoky, flinty notes and ripe spiced yellow plum compote. A rich, oily attack that swiftly lifts on the mid palate with plenty of candied lime, brisk tingly acidity and a lively, struck match and salty sherbet finish, which positively effervesces. I love the surprising shape of this Riesling as the nose and first impact past the lips is a wine of density and power but then it takes off like a whippet, showing length, leanness and pent up energy.
This Riesling is hand-harvested and fermented with natural yeasts. Temperatures are monitored and kept very low to preserve the fruity aromas. This is a well-rounded Riesling, high in honeyed notes and balanced with clean minerality."
Tom Harrow, Wine Guru
Enjoy with
Warm poached salmon, pickled cucumbers and dill sauce – lots and lots of lovely lemon squeezed on top!
Currently in its prime drinking phase, this 2018 Riesling shows perfect integration between its tropical fruit and mineral elements. Over the next 2-3 years, the honeyed characters will become more pronounced while the lime zest freshness gradually softens into more complex citrus peel flavours. The smoky, flinty minerality will become more prominent as the primary fruit integrates, creating greater complexity and depth. Beyond 2027, the wine may begin to show petrol notes typical of aged Riesling, though the mineral backbone should maintain freshness for several more years. The effervescent energy on the finish will gradually calm, but the wine's essential character of surprising shape and agility will remain.
What the critics say:
"This is a relatively restrained dry riesling with wet stones, lime and lemon zest. It's medium-bodied. Light toffee and wax at the end. Sharp acidity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Demeter certified."
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale gold with greenish highlights, bright and clear.
NoseRich honeyed tropical fruit - papaya and melon - dusted with warming cinnamon spice. Beneath this generosity, wet stones and struck flint provide a mineral counterpoint, while ripe yellow plum adds depth.
PalateThe initial attack is rich and oily, coating the mouth with concentrated fruit, but this swiftly lifts on the mid-palate. Candied lime zest brings brightness while brisk, tingling acidity provides the backbone that makes this wine so food-friendly.
FinishLong and mineral-driven with salty sherbet and that distinctive struck match character that positively effervesces on the tongue.
Overall impressionA Riesling that brilliantly demonstrates the grape's ability to combine power with elegance, showing remarkable energy and length.
Food Pairings
In Alsace, this Riesling would naturally accompany choucroute garnie, the region's signature dish of sauerkraut with various sausages and smoked meats, where the wine's acidity cuts through the richness. Local families would also serve it with baeckeoffe, the slow-cooked casserole of lamb, pork, and potatoes that benefits from Riesling's mineral backbone. The wine pairs beautifully with Munster cheese, Alsace's pungent washed-rind specialty, and with the region's famous tarte flambée, where the smoky, salty flavours echo the wine's mineral finish. During summer, it's perfect with freshwater fish from the Rhine, simply prepared with herbs and lemon.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C to preserve the wine's crisp acidity and mineral precision. No decanting necessary as this wine shows best when fresh and bright from the bottle. Use a traditional white wine glass or Riesling-specific glass with a slightly narrower bowl to concentrate the aromatic complexity. The wine opens beautifully in the glass over 15-20 minutes, revealing more of its honeyed tropical character as it warms slightly.
The Sparr vineyards benefit from Alsace's unique position in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains, creating a dry continental climate ideal for Riesling. The soils combine limestone, clay, and granite, providing the mineral backbone that gives this wine its smoky, flinty character. The careful exposure and altitude allow for slow ripening, preserving the variety's natural acidity while developing the honeyed tropical fruit flavours. This terroir expression creates the wine's distinctive contrast between richness and tension.
Alsace AOC allows for varietal labelling, with Riesling being one of the region's four noble grapes alongside Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat. The appellation requires wines to be bottled in the distinctive tall, slender Alsatian flute and emphasises pure varietal expression. Unlike Germany's Rieslings, Alsatian versions are typically fermented dry, showcasing the grape's mineral precision alongside its fruit character. The region's unique position between French and German wine cultures creates wines that combine Germanic aromatics with French structural elegance.
The 2018 growing season in Alsace will be remembered for its extremes. A brutal late frost in April caught many growers off guard, followed by a scorching summer that had vineyard workers starting their days before dawn. The heat built relentlessly through July and August, pushing sugar levels skyward and concentrating flavours to an almost uncomfortable degree. Harvest began earlier than usual, with some parcels picked in late August to preserve what acidity remained.
What emerged from the cellars was a vintage of startling intensity and power. The Rieslings crackle with electric minerality beneath their sun-baked concentration, while the Gewürztraminers turned out almost tropical in their exuberance. Pinot Gris produced some genuinely thrilling wines with unusual depth and staying power. We find these wines drinking beautifully now, their youthful exuberance balanced by surprising structure, though the finest examples will reward patience well into the next decade.
FAQs
What does this Riesling taste like?
It starts with honeyed tropical fruit like melon and papaya, then transforms into something lean and energetic with lime zest, smoky minerality, and a salty, effervescent finish. It's a wine of surprising shape that moves from power to precision.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking beautifully right now and will continue to develop complexity over the next 4-6 years. The tropical fruit will integrate with the mineral backbone, creating even more interesting layers.
What food pairs well with this wine?
We love it with warm poached salmon, pickled cucumbers, and dill sauce with lots of lemon. It also works brilliantly with spicy Asian cuisine, charcuterie, or any dish that benefits from bright acidity and mineral precision.
How should I serve this Riesling?
Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C in a white wine glass. No decanting needed - it shows best fresh from the bottle and opens beautifully over 15-20 minutes in the glass.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
While drinking wonderfully now, it will reward 2-3 years of patient cellaring. The mineral backbone will become more prominent and the tropical fruit will integrate into more complex flavours, though it's built more for near-term pleasure than long-term aging.
What makes this producer special?
Charles and Amélie Sparr represent the new generation of Alsace - both from wine families, they combine traditional knowledge with biodynamic practices and eco-certification. Their wines honour Alsatian heritage while remaining fresh and forward-thinking.
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