# Domaine in Black Red Z'epfig (2024)

- **Producer:** Domaine in Black
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir, Auxerrois
- **Region:** Alsace, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 11.5%
- **Average price:** €28
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, redcurrant, orange, violet, black pepper, cedar

## About this wine

Domaine in Black was established in 2019 by Lambert Spielmann, a former musician and social worker in mental health who retrained in viticulture under Yves Amberg. Situated in Saint-Pierre in Alsace, the micro-estate spans less than three hectares across small, fragmented parcels. The fruit for this cuvée comes from 30-year-old vines rooted in clay and limestone soils in the commune of Epfig. The wine's name, Red Z'epfig, plays on the name of its home village. For the 2024 vintage, Spielmann created a co-ferment of Pinot Noir and Auxerrois.

## Interesting facts

- Winemaker Lambert Spielmann was a musician and mental health worker before turning to winemaking in 2019.
- The estate braids grape canopies rather than hedging them and treats vines with homemade herbal teas.
- The cuvée name Red Z'epfig is a wordplay on the Alsatian village of Epfig where the vines are located.

## Food pairing

Light-bodied natural reds with high acidity and low tannins excel alongside delicate proteins, earthly mushrooms, and cured meats. High acidity cuts through rich terrines and goat cheese without overpowering delicate textures or subtle savory notes.

## Wine making process

The grapes are organically farmed and harvested manually in small crates. Whole bunches of Pinot Noir and Auxerrois are co-fermented for 10 days using gentle infusion maceration without mechanical extraction techniques like punch-downs or pump-overs. Pressing takes place in a traditional vertical ratchet press before the wine matures for nine months in wooden barrels. Winery movements are performed strictly via gravity, and the wine is bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without added sulfur.