Achillée 'Hespéride' Vin d'Alsace Orange Wine 2022

In Short

An Alsatian orange wine of mixed white grapes, fermented on skins for honeyed stone fruit, white tea, and an intriguing bitter almond finish.

Quick Facts

• Region: Alsace, France
• Variety: Mixed white varieties
• Style: Orange wine
• Best For: Curious drinkers, skin-contact white exploration

Why We Stock It

Orange wine sits between white and red in texture and flavor, and Alsace's aromatic white varieties respond beautifully to skin contact. This wine is approachable enough for someone trying the style for the first time, yet structured and complex enough to reward those already familiar with the category. It opens up possibilities for pairing and conversation at the table.

Tasting Profile

Extended skin contact gives this wine richness and texture unusual in a white.

• Aroma: Honeyed stone fruit, subtle oxidative notes, herbal complexity
• Palate: Dried apricot, white tea, mineral character, surprising depth
• Structure & Finish: Dry, persistent finish with light tannin and bitter almond

Winemaking

The wine is fermented on its skins for an extended period, a technique that pulls color, tannin, and additional flavor compounds into the juice. This skin contact is what defines the orange wine category and gives the wine its texture and complexity. The result is aged to allow the oxidative notes to integrate.

Serving & Pairing

Serve between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit; no decanting needed. The wine's texture and mild tannin make it a natural fit for roasted vegetables, duck confit, or aged cheeses like Gruyere. It also pairs well with something casual like a spiced chicken salad or a cured ham board, where the herbal notes and white tea character cut through richness without overwhelming the plate.

The Estate

Achillée is a small producer in Alsace working with the region's traditional white varieties. The house focuses on non-conventional approaches to winemaking, using extended skin contact and natural fermentation to explore what these grapes can express.

Terroir

Alsace sits on the eastern edge of the Vosges mountains, a position that protects the vineyard from Atlantic moisture and creates a continental climate with warm days and cool nights. The region's soils vary widely, from granite and schist to limestone and clay, all of which contribute mineral character to the wine. The cool climate and extended growing season allow Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris to develop aromatic intensity while retaining acidity.