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Publishers Diateino will also be on the stand to promote their Foodie French book, which explains the story behind French gastronomical terms used in English.
The wines of Alsace (a region of eastern France that borders Germany) are famous across the world for their quality, their individuality and the distinctive slim bottles used by Alsace wine- growers. They range from light and dry to opulent and rich, and the London Wine Show will give visitors the perfect opportunity to discover more about the region and its vineyards.
All the producers on the Alsace stand at the London Wine Show are independent, family-run businesses, which place a premium on respect for the environment and on avoiding the use of chemicals (including pesticides and fertilisers). Indeed, Alsace wine-growers make a point of relying on traditional and more ‘natural’ techniques developed over centuries of production in the region.
Seven varieties of grapes (or cépages) are grown in the region — Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Muscat d’Alsace, Tokay Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer. Unlike most other French wines, Alsace wines tend to be varietals, which means that they derive their name from the grape variety they are made from, rather than being blends named after a given terroir (i.e. the physical and environmental characteristics of the vineyard, especially the soil of the area concerned). Winemakers in Alsace still take great care to marry grape varieties with local soil types to produce the ideal match.
For those who are unable to visit Alsace itself, going to the Wine Show in London will give them the opportunity to discover one of France’s most distinctive regions, through its amazing range of authentic and traditionally produced wines.
Domaine Bernard Schwach lies at the heart of the Route des Vins
The Domaine du Moulin de Dusenbach, which was created in 1974, is located in the very heart of the region’s wine-growing district (Route des Vins), in Ribeauvillé – one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace. More than 28 ha belong to this estate, which is farmed by Bernard Schwach, an independent wine-grower. All the diversity of the Alsace vineyard is represented on the estate, from the traditional Alsace varietals to several Grands Crus, including exceptional wines such as Late Harvest or Noble-rot wines. The Grands Crus include Sporen, Schoenenbourg, Schlossberg and Kaefferkopf.
Kientz René Fils draws on experience going back to 1696
The Kientz family has been producing wine in Blienschwiller since 1696. Its winery has a wide variety of soils – clayey and silty for its generic wines and granitic for its Grand Cru Winzenberg. André Kientz, who has run the estate since 1985, is committed to preserving the traditional expertise of the business, such as the manual harvesting of the grapes and the limited treatment of the vines with chemicals. He produces dry white wines with very little residual sweetness, with an emphasis on the aromatic characteristic of each grape variety. André Kientz received a Golden Medal at the Best of Riesling competition for his Grand Cru Winzenberg 2006.
Cattin Frères has wines for all palates
The Cattin family has been making wine in Alsace for 300 years. Today, it is one of the largest family-run estates in the region. The style of the wine has developed out of the experience acquired over generations, with a focus on authentic and elegant flavours. As a result of the combination of different terroirs and Alsace grape varieties, the range of wines on offer is sufficiently diverse to ensure that all wine lovers will find something to their taste. Cattin Frères is currently seeking new international partners to further develop its export sales.
Domaine Bott Frères makes Grands Crus of distinction
Domaine Bott Frères has been making wine since 1835 and, today, three generations work together at the family business. The vineyards are mainly located in Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr and Rodern. The soil composition varies from limey-clay and calcareous-sandstone to clayey-granite, with each terroir giving a different specificity to the wines. The vineyards are controlled by pruning the canes short in the winter and by green harvesting in the summer, which optimises the grape quality. The company combines traditional fermentation in 100-year-old oak casks with the latest technology in order to create high-quality wines. Bott Frères makes famous Grand Crus – Osterberg, Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé and Gloeckelberg – and about 30% of its output is exported.
Editions Diateino: Foodie French to help the discerning British food lover
Diateino, an independent publishing house, has released Foodie French, a book which explains the stories behind French words used in gastronomy – from why an omelette is, really, a dessert, to the original Charlotte of Charlotte Russe or the Melba of Pêche Melba. The book discusses and explains French eating habits and reads between the lines of French menus; besides, it includes a section on the best French cheeses as well as the perfect wine to accompany each one, with the suggestions of Serge Dubs, who is head-sommelier at the Auberge de L’Ill in Alsace (a restaurant awarded three stars in the Michelin guide).
A book signing will be held on the Alsace stand in the afternoon of 12 May 2009.
The London International Wine Fair 2009
The London International Wine Fair (LIWF) is taking place from 12 to 14 May 2009. The Alsace region and its representatives can be found at Stand I40/5.
The LIWF has become the most important annual exhibition in the world's wine and spirits calendar. Visitors use the trade show to source new, exciting wines; to increase their knowledge of wine-making; and to discuss their business needs with producers as well as suppliers.
For the 3,500 international visitors coming to the event, the LIWF is a powerful business tool and an exceptional industry-wide forum. Importers from every corner of the globe travel to London to look for new suppliers among the 1,200 exhibitors.
About the Chamber of Commerce of Strasbourg
The Chamber of Commerce of Strasbourg (CCI Strasbourg) represents and promotes the interests of companies based in the Alsace region of Eastern France.
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contact.ftpb[.]ubifrance.fr 
