iDealwine is proud to be hosting a charity auction this month. Wine makers in the Alsace region have come together with the Alsace Crus et terroirs association to put 12 lots up for auction. Funds raised will go to sommelier Lionel Rousseaux who has Lyme disease and is seeking help abroad.
A talented sommelier with an impressive career, Lionel Rousseaux has worked in some fabulous restaurants. At just 18 years old, when he first began to feel the symptoms of his illness, he joined the team at the three-starred Georges-Blanc, before continuing on to La Pinède in Saint-Tropez, Le Pas de l’ours in Crans-Montana, then the Château d’Isenbourg and Aux Armes de France, both in Alsace. For several years now, Lionel has been suffering from Lyme disease. Cited in Terre de Vins, he explained how ‘I used to live for my vocation, in restaurants and at wine estates, as well as at wine festivals. But I was always fatigued, always in pain, and this all accumulated until I realised I just didn’t have the energy to continue with my job.’
Hope exists for Lionel in the form of a treatment currently only available in the US. To get there, he has to raise a sum of €20,000, so several initiatives have been launched with the aim of helping out. That includes the charity selection at iDealwine that we’ve detailed below. This project is led by Alsace Crus, several members of which know Lionel well. They’ve been in touch with wine makers across the region of Alsace, with many a big name showing their generosity for the sake of this charity auction. Among the selection is a case of Clos Sainte Hune from Domaine Trimbach, to give you an idea of the quality on offer. Enthusiasts looking for large formats will be in their element here, too, as 11 of the lots are magnums from some of the region’s finest names! And all of the lots have been put up for auction without a reserve price…
The 12 lots up for auction:
- 3-bottle lot of Clos Sainte Hune from Domaine Trimbach: Trimbach’s emblematic cuvée, incredibly rare and highly coveted, at once fruity and rich in character.
- Magnum of 2017 Clos Saint Landelin from Domaine Véronique and Thomas Muré: the fruit of the Muré family’s precious parcel.
- Magnum of 2014 grand cru Kastelberg from Domaine Marc Kreydenweiss: power, finesse, and minerality define this Riesling that will pair beautifully with seafood dishes.
- Magnum of 2015 Pinot Noir Bollenberg Harmonie from Valentin Zusslin: this cuvée is only made in vintages deemed worthy. Light, fruity, refined, and fresh, it should be aged for a few years in the cellar.
- Magnum of 2010 Riesling Clos Windsbuhl from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht: sharp and perfectly dry, its strength and class will evolve over the next few years.
- Magnum of 2017 Riesling grand cru Furstentum from Domaine Albert Mann: enjoy the lovely balance of roundness and acidity in this Riesling alongside a creamy dish.
- Magnum of 2014 Riesling grand cru Kessler from Domaines Schlumberger: ideal with Japanese cuisine, this Riesling comes from the sandstone soil of the Guebwiller grand cru.
- Magnum of 2013 Riesling grand cru Rangen Clos Saint Theobald Schistes from Domaine Schoffit: this wine has real potential, with a ripe nose of citrus.
- Magnum of 2003 Riesling grand cru Schlossberg Cuvée Sainte Catherine l’Inédit from Domaine Weinbach: ‘the most mellow of Weinbach’s dry Rieslings’ according to the RVF.
- Magnum of 2014 Riesling grand cru Schlossberg from Domaine Kirrenbourg: one estate’s ample and highly fresh expression of the Schlossberg grand cru.
- Magnum of 2013 Riesling grand cry Schoenenberg from Domaine Bott-Geyl: one of Alsace’s finest Riesling terroirs; a real delight!
- Magnum of 2013 Riesling grand cru Schoenenbourg from Domaine Meyer-Fonné: this cuvée’s discreet nose makes way for a fruity and floral palate with much elegance. A gastronomic cru.
