Celebrating Wines and Vineyards of Alsace
The region of Alsace, lauded for its culinary excellence, owes much of its reputation to its exquisite wines. Alsace wines have held the distinction of being among Europe’s most prestigious since the Middle Ages, specifically the 13th century. The trajectory of Alsace vineyards has seen both prosperity and decline over the centuries, but notably resurrected itself post-World War I when winemakers committed to fostering quality through traditional viticulture.
Today, all wines from Alsace proudly bear one of the following labels: “Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée Alsace,” “Alsace Grand Cru” for vintage wines, or “Crémant d’Alsace” for sparkling wines. Labels indicating “Vendanges tardives” (late harvest) and “Sélection de grains nobles” (noble rot) represent mellow or sweet wines made from overripe grapes. Alsace wines are typically served chilled, around 8 to 10°C, and even cooler for the sparkling Crémant at 5 to 7°C.
The Grand Crus of Alsace
51 terroirs, delineated according to strict geological and climatic criteria, make up the mosaic of Alsace Grands Crus.
These specific locations were recognized in 2011 as separate appellations, whereas until then they were included in the single AOC Alsace Grand Cru.
The wines produced from these exceptional terroirs represent nearly 5% of the total production of the vineyard.
The grape varieties
Gewurztraminer
Gewurztraminer offers fruity, floral, or spicy notes, while. The richness, power, and full-bodied character of Gewurztraminer express themselves on the palate with the utmost voluptuousness: it seems as though all the fruits, flowers, and spices that creation has to offer have come together in this wine!
Muscat d’Alsace
Muscat d’Alsace is a dry wine with unparalleled fruity hints and a taste redolent of fresh grapes.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc is a delicate, refreshing wine that sits midway in the spectrum of Alsace wines.
Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris delivers a full-bodied and structured flavor with a slight smokiness.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir, unique among Alsace vines, produces red or rosé wines with an emblematic fruity taste, evoking cherries.
Riesling
Riesling, regarded as one of the finest vintages globally, is a dry, distinguished wine with delicate fruity notes, sometimes exhibiting mineral or floral nuances.
Sylvaner
Sylvaner offers remarkable freshness and lightness with a gentle fruity hint, resulting in a pleasant, refreshing, and often lively wine.
Crémant d’Alsace
Crémant d’Alsace, produced using the traditional method of secondary fermentation in the bottle, adds a touch of sparkle to every occasion.
For a more enriching exploration of Alsatian culinary tradition, immerse yourself in the diverse food and wine pairings of Alsace.
The Alsace Wine Route
The Alsace Wine Route winds 170 km from Marlenheim in the north to Thann in the south. It offers explorers around a hundred enchanting medieval villages, nearly 500 public wine cellars, and 40 vineyard trails, not to mention the delicious dishes served in cellar restaurants and Winstubs.
The journey is imbued with the festive spirit of wine fairs and festivals. Further north, vineyards also thrive in the Wissembourg-Cleebourg region, further contributing to Alsace’s wine heritage.