Alsace
Semi-continental
A dry, sunny strip in the Vosges rain shadow, known for aromatic single-variety whites — Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat.
Overview
About Alsace
Alsace lies between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine, along the German border, and its culture and wines carry a strong Germanic influence — the region was part of Germany from 1871 to 1918. Unlike most of France, Alsace wines are labelled by grape variety, and the four 'noble' varieties — Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat — are the ones permitted in its Grand Cru vineyards, with a few exceptions such as Sylvaner at Zotzenberg.
The Alsace AOC was created in 1962, and the Alsace Grand Cru AOC, covering 51 named vineyards, in 1975. Most wines are fully dry, though late-harvest Vendanges Tardives and botrytised Sélection de Grains Nobles are made in outstanding years. Crémant d'Alsace, a traditional-method sparkling wine, is a significant regional product.
Alsace is marked on the map.
France
Shaded: Bas-Rhin, Haute-Rhin. Map units are states, provinces or départements, so a smaller place appears as the larger area that contains it.
The land
Climate & terroir
Climate
Semi-continental
Among the driest and sunniest regions in France: the Vosges mountains cast a rain shadow, and long, dry autumns allow slow ripening and late harvests.
Terroir & soils
What the vines grow in
Remarkably complex geology along the Rhine rift, with granite, limestone, sandstone, marl, volcanic soils and loess sometimes changing within a few hundred metres. This diversity is one reason Alsace varietal wines vary so much by site.
Go deeper
Rules, years & producers
Alsace names its wines after the grape, and adds a vineyard tier and late-harvest terms on top.
Alsace Grand Cru
Fifty-one named vineyards, for the four noble grapes (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat), with a few exceptions such as Sylvaner at Zotzenberg.
AOC Alsace
The regional appellation. The grape is on the label, and most wines are dry.
Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles
Late-harvest and botrytised sweet wines, with minimum ripeness rules for each grape.
Crémant d'Alsace
Traditional-method sparkling wine.
What's grown here
Grapes
Each grape's page links back here.
Auxerrois
Rounded, gently spiced whites, and the main part of many Pinot Blanc and Crémant d'Alsace blends.
Gewürztraminer
The grape's most celebrated modern home, from dry aromatic whites to lusciously sweet late-harvest styles.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Made dry and floral, an aromatic aperitif wine.
Pinot Gris
Rich, smoky and often lightly sweet, one of Alsace's four noble grapes.
Riesling
Typically vinified fully dry, with a richer, more powerful structure than German styles.
Sylvaner
A light, dry white for everyday drinking, with a Grand Cru at Zotzenberg.