In Alsace the cherry trees stand at the edges of the vineyards, half-wild and crooked, carrying fruit that is small, dark and very nearly inedible raw. Picked without stems and brought home the same day, it begins a transformation lasting five weeks. What comes out at the other end is as clear as water.
The expert's description
Kuentz-Bas Eau de Vie Kirsch France 70 cl 45% is a French Eau de Vie distilled from Alsace cherries and bottled at 45%.
The fruit is the guigne variety, a small dark cherry with an unusually small stone. It is traditionally grafted onto wild trees and remains widespread across Alsace. The acidity of the guigne is precisely why it is chosen, because it carries the aroma all the way through fermentation and distillation instead of disappearing on the way.
The cherries are harvested without stems and brought in quickly so the fruit takes no damage. Fermentation runs for four to five weeks and is stirred every single day. The stones are left uncrushed throughout, and that is a deliberate decision. Crushed stones give a heavy, bitter almond note, while whole stones release only the fine trace of almond that enthusiasts look for in a Kirsch.
Kuentz-Bas is based in Ammerschwihr in Alsace and is first and foremost a wine house. Eaux-de-vie belong to the standing range alongside Mirabelle, Framboise, Poire Williams and Vieille Prune among others. What unites them all is that no sugar is added. An Eau de Vie is pure fruit and alcohol, neither sweetened nor coloured, which leaves the quality of the fruit completely exposed in the glass.
Tasting notes
Nose
Cherry, but the fresh kind straight off the tree rather than the preserved kind out of a jar. Behind it sits a fine breath of almond and a floral note reminiscent of cherry blossom.
Palate
Dry from the first drop. The fruit is concentrated without being sweet, and halfway across the stone fruit character steps clearly forward with a light almond bitterness. The alcohol is warm but clean, framing the fruit rather than shouting over it.
Finish
Cool and clean. Cherry stone lingers longest, with a dry dusting of almond and a fresh acidity that clears the mouth.
Specifications
Name: Kuentz-Bas Eau de Vie Kirsch France 70 cl 45%
Producer: Kuentz-Bas
Region/Country: Alsace, France
Type: French Eau de Vie from Cherries
ABV: 45%
Size: 70 CL
Serving suggestion: Chilled to 8-10 degrees in a small tulip glass after a meal
Flavour profile
Cherry · Almond · Dry · Fresh · Stone Fruit
Did you know?
The word Kirsch is short for kirschwasser, which simply means cherry water. The term has been in use in Alsace since the 17th century, making Kirsch one of the oldest named fruit spirits anyone has a record of.
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