It is fair to say that French wines can be intimidating. Not the least of reasons is that most labels call out place, not varietal, which requires you to know what grapes grow where. The same holds true for this white blend from Alsace, the northeastern part of the country, famous for its white wines. The front label offers no hint of the varietals used to make this traditional blend, which happens to be 80/20 Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc. (What it does offer is the exact food to enjoy with this wine – crustaceans in all forms.) Sylvaner (better known in neighboring Germany) offers acidity and firm texture to Pinot Blanc’s fruity depth and roundness. The resulting blend shows layers of stone fruit, pear, and citrus, which are given dimension by the flinty finish. Beyond seafood, this wine is an ideal match for cheese – any cheese – from a simple cheese plate to a traditional Fondue. - Noelle Starr, Surdyk's Consultant