This winery exists since 1871. It came into existence in its current form when Jean Dirler, 5th generation of the Dirler family, married Ludivine, daughter of Leon and Nicole Hell-Cadé, winegrowers in neighboring Guebwiller. In 2000 Ludevine’s parents plots of vines were integrated into the Dirler estate and the domaine was renamed Dirler-Cadé.
Jean Pierre Dirler, the father of Jean Dirler, hosted us, assisted by his wife and by Ludevine Dirler-Cadé.
Upon arriving, Jean Pierre joined us on our bus and showed us his vineyards. We then went to the tasting room of Domaine Dirler-Cadé for a formal tasting.
See also: Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Domaine Dirler-Cadé
The integration of Ludevine’s parents plots of vines into the Dirler estate in 2000 took the total estate to 18 hectares, of which 42% are Grand Cru:
Saering, with its clay/limestone/sandstone soils and quivering acidity;
Spiegel, more sandstone/stony in its make-up, ensuring an ethereal finesse;
Kessler, rich in sandy/clay/sandstone is famed for its power and ageing potential;
while the sandstone/volcanic/sandy Kitterlé brims with perfumed spicy aromas on the nose and great persistence on the palate.
Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris account for over 60% of the vines, the remainder made-up of Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir, Sylvaner, Muscat, and Chasselas.While the vinification is essentially traditional, using both large oak foudres and stainless steel, it is in the vineyard where the most marked changes have taken place: since 1998 all the vines have been farmed organically and biodynamically.
In the 19th century Domaine Dirler was pioneer with the Domaine Dopff of Riquewihr in producing sparkling wines according to the Méthode Champenoise, called Crément d’Alsace.
In 1998 Jean Dirler and his father decided to convert the estate to a Biodynamic agriculture. They introduced ploughing with a draft horse. The conversion process finished in 2004 and from the harvest of 2007 the estate is 100% Biodynamic, and obtained the label “AB” (biological agriculture) and the label “BIODYVIN” for biodynamic agriculture.
Tasting
Domaine Dirler-Cadé divides its wines into 4 groups:
First, AOC Alsace Grands Crus (Terroir de Gruebwiller et Bergholz), from 4 grands crus vineyards: Saering, Spiegel, Kessler and Kitterlé (42% of the farmed area)
Domaine Dirler-Cadé: On the map above, we clearly visualize in blue the Spiegel Grand Cru, in yellow the Saering Grand Cru, in green the Kessler Grand Cru and in red the Kitterlé Grand Cru. The black spots correspond to the estate plots.
Second, AOC Alsace Lieux-Dits, with Belzbrunnen, Schwarzberg, Bux, Schimberg and Bollenberg
Third, AOC Alsace Single Grape Variety (Terroir de Gruebwiller et Bergholz), Riesling, Gewurz Traminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Sylvaner
Fourth, AOC Crémant d’Alsace, made of the varieties Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Auxerrois
The Wines Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludivine Cadé Poured
The current wine list of Domaine Dirler-Cadé comprises about 90 items. We tasted 12 of the wines.
Crémant d'Alsace
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Crémant d'Alsace 2014 Brut Nature AOC Crémant d'Alsace
Muscat
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Muscat 2016 AOC Alsace (Terroir de Gruebwiller et Bergholz)
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Muscat 2016 Grand Cru Saering AOC Alsace Grands Crus (Terroir de Gruebwiller et Bergholz)
The Saering was mentioned for the first time in 1250 about a quarrel opposing the nobility of Guebwiller and the Murbach Abbey. Those wines are classified among the bests in the archives of the city of Basel, which had many monasteries that had grapes in the region of Guebwiller.
In the North-East of Guebwiller, adjacent to the Kitterlé, the Saering represents an East and South-East exposed front-hill, at a height from 260 to 300 m. 26,75 ha. Marl-limestone-sandstone soil.
Riesling
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Riesling 2016 Lieu-Dit Belzbrunnen AOC Alsace Lieux-Dits (de Guebwiller)
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Riesling 2016 Grand Cru Saering AOC Alsace Grands Crus (Terroir de Gruebwiller et Bergholz)
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Riesling 2016 Grand Cru Kessler AOC Alsace Grands Crus (Terroir de Gruebwiller et Bergholz)
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Riesling 2011 Grand Cru Saering Vendages Tardives Doux AOC Alsace Grands Crus Vendages Tarvides (Terroir de Gruebwiller et Bergholz)
Pincot Gris
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Pinot Gris 2016 Lieu-Dit Schimberg1/2 sec AOC Alsace Lieux-Dits (de Guebwiller)
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Pinot Gris 2014 Grand Cru Kessler moelleux AOC Alsace Grands Crus (Terroir de Gruebwiller et Bergholz)
The Alsatian name “Kessler”, which means vat, cooking pot or cauldron in English and also the central part “Heisse Wanne”, hot basin in English let us think that the ancients have always been aware of the higher temperatures on the Kessler and even more in the Heisse Wanne that in the other surrounding plots. At the 16th Century, the “Wanne” had such a reputation that it was quoted in a saying that says: “the bests wines of the country grow in the Rangen of Thann, in the Wanne of Guebwiller and in Turckheim in the Brand”. The Kessler is mentioned from the year 1394, it benefits from a separated Vinification and is sold under its own name since 1830.
The vineyard of the Kessler grows on the East side of the Unterlinger hill, at a height of 300 to 390 m and on a pretty steep and uniform slope. As the name suggests, the Kessler is formed, in its center, of a small valley, mainly south-east exposed, which protects it from the north winds and the cold air currents brought by the valley of Guebwiller. Sandy-clay-sandstone soil.
Gewurz Traminer
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Gewurz Traminer 2015 AOC Alsace (Terroir de Gruebwiller et Bergholz)
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Gewurz Traminer 2016 Grand Cru Saerig moelleux AOC Alsace Grands Crus (Terroir de Gruebwiller et Bergholz)
Domaine Dirler-Cadé Gewurz Traminer 2011 Grand Cru Spiegel doux AOC Alsace Grands Crus (Terroir de Gruebwiller et Bergholz)
A sandstone frieze of the 1st Century, found in the region of Rouffach, proves that the grape existed in the region at this time. Near 900, 170 towns like Guebwiller and Bergholtz were listed as wine grower. The Commandry of Issenheim quotes as “lieu-dit” of vineyard: “Schwartzberg” (hill where the Spiegel is located), “Hohenrod” (near to the current Spiegel Grand Cru), “Stein” (center of the current Spiegel Grand Cru). The Spiegel is renowned and valued since more than 70 years, during which this cru’s producers have attached importance to preserve its originality.
The Spiegel stretches at mid-slope on the side of Bergholtz and Guebwiller. On an average slope of 260 to 315 m, it is turned to the East and to the South. Marl-sandstone soil.
Bye-bye
Thanks for a great tour and tasting.
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