Alsace wine seen by Benjamin Paci

Managing partner of the Roi des Vins cellar

Benjamin Paci, 31 years old, has been passionate about wine for 10 years. After a Bachelor’s degree in marketing and management, he did a Master’s degree in management, and continued with a Master’s degree in purchasing. He obtained a diploma as a wine waiter and fell in love with wine and Alexandra! After spending 8 years in retail, Benjamin Paci and his partner are starting their own business in 2019. Epicureans by nature, they love to meet new people and bring happiness to their customers every time they open a bottle. To sharpen their advice, they are always on the lookout for the nuggets of tomorrow.

1. Your Alsatian winegrower

The François Baur et fils estate in Turckheim, for their incredibly elegant Crémant, their precise Rieslings and their timeless Pinot Noir.

2. Your affinity for a terroir, a soil, a grape variety

I am particularly fond of Riesling which has so many facets. Like a Man, it is born lively, dashing, full of energy, begins to soften with the years, it changes as it ages and finally expresses all its character.

3. An Alsace wine for an occasion

The 2016 Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg, from Domaine Kirrenbourg, in magnum please! Associated with a nice starter, at Christmas for example, this wine expresses beautiful notes of lemon peel, a nice acidity and an intense minerality.

4. Your most daring food & wine pairing

Pair the lobster with a Pinot Noir Fronholz from the Ostertag estate, preferably from an older vintage so as not to have too much tannin. Red fruits or tomato to enhance this Lobster and your taste buds will be under the charm!

5. Your best memory about Alsace wine

If I had to remember only one: Easter 2020. We were confined, and tradition obliges, we organized a meal for two, with my companion Alexandra, cook out of the ordinary! We toasted with a Crémant Zéro Sulfites, Domaine Scherb, in Gueberschwihr. We shared a glass of Grand Cru Mambourg, Domaine Deiss, with the “ceviche de dorade et leche del tigre”. Then we tasted a Pinot Noir Clos Saint Landelin, Domaine Mure, to accompany the “rack of lamb in a lavender crust”.

6. The Alsatian wine that YOU would like to taste

A Clos Sainte Hune older than me! The 2012 vintage still had so much aging potential. At over 30 years old, he must be at his peak.

7. Your favorite

The Crémant brut nature, Sylvie Spielmann domain. It is a very elegant wine with fine bubbles and beautiful yellow fruit notes. It has a very beautiful matter in mouth which allows to carry the wine in length.

Crémant brut nature domaine Sylvie-Spielmann

8. Your greatest vintage

1990 ! It was a great year all around. I recently had the opportunity to taste a Riesling, Domaine Spielmann 1990, and it was in great shape!