On Friday Richard Hemming published Humbrecht forecasts varietal evolution about the evolution of various grape varieties in Alsace, where they are so vitally important. This gave rise to the following extremely illuminating correspondence between David Schildknecht, who covers Alsace for The Wine Advocate, and Olivier Humbrecht of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht.
David Schildknecht:
Richard writes, '[Olivier Humbrecht] observes, for example, Muscat Ottonel and Auxerrois are already on the brink of extinction in the region anyway, and that Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and maybe even Vermentino are being lined up to take their place.' Can this really be?
Auxerrois
While I realise growers are...