Alsace wine is predominately white (over 90%) and the majority of these are made from four classic grape varieties. These are also the only grapes grown in the region’s Grand Cru vineyards.
Riesling – thought to be Alsace’s finest grape. Alsace Riesling is typically bone dry, with floral aromas and citrus and stone fruit flavours. With age it can develop a steely, flinty minerality.
Gewurztraminer – the easiest white grape variety to recognise, Gewurztraminer makes intensely aromatic whites, with distinctive floral rose petal and lychee scents.
Pinot Gris – the same grape as Italy’s Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris is one of Alsace’s top white varieties, producing whites with lovely richness as well as tropical fruit and spice notes.
Muscat – this aromatic variety is unusual in that its wines smell and taste of… grapes. There are two varieties of Muscat in Alsace, Muscat Blancs à Petit Grains (aka Muscat d’Alsace) and Muscat d’Ottonel. Most Alsace Muscats are made from a blend of the two.
Alsace does produce a small amount of red wine – mostly from Pinot Noir, which is used to make the region's sparkling rosé (Crémant d'Alsace). Alsace Pinot Noir is becoming more popular and is similar in style to the silky-smooth reds of Burgundy.