Alsace wine

The Alsace region has a chequered history – its territory having long been the subject of dispute between France and Germany. And while it is currently part of France, it is most famous for white grape varieties that you’d normally associate with Germany – especially Riesling and Gewürztraminer.

Winemakers in Alsace tend to aim for pure fruit flavours in their wines, fermenting the grapes at lower temperatures to preserve the fresh grape aromas.  As a result, the wines tend to be crisp and racy, with intense fruit and pronounced floral or grapey aromas.

The classification of Alsace wines is fairly simple – with only five categories to look out for.

• Alsace AOC – this is the standard appellation for the red, white and rosé wines of Alsace. They are usually made from a named single varietal and must abide by strict rules – not only for where and how they are made, but for their qualities of taste and smell. Although this is the standard appellation, these wines can be very fine indeed.
• Alsace Grand Cru AOC – a step up from Alsace AOC, the Grand Cru wines of Alsace must come from the region’s best vineyards – according to the classification system. They follow stricter production regulations, and must be made from one of the region’s four noble grape varieties – Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat. 
• Crémant d'Alsace AOC – like most French wine regions, Alsace produces a sparkling ‘Crémant’ wine, made with  the Champagne method. Most are made from Pinot Blanc, occasionally with some Chardonnay or Riesling. However, Crémant d'Alsace Rosé must be made from Pinot Noir.
• Vendange Tardive – this term can be appended to either Alsace AOC or Alsace Grand Cru AOC wines. These wines must be made from one of the four noble varieties and, as the name suggests, are made with late-harvested grapes. Some are dry but most are dessert wines, with lovely sweetness balanced by fresh acidity.
• Sélection de Grains Nobles – like Vendange Tardive, this term can be applied to either Alsace AOC or Alsace Grand Cru AOC wines. Sélection de Grains Nobles are the most highly prized sweet wines of Alsace – made from grapes affected by ‘noble rot’. This beneficial fungus extracts moisture from the grapes – resulting in really high sugar concentration in the grapes. Similar to the sweet whites of Sauternes, these are some of the most revered dessert wines in the world.   

Fun fact: by law all Alsace whites must be bottled in tall bottles known as flutes. In the past, this has been seen as a barrier to sales – as they have been viewed as looking old-fashioned. However, as the wines of Germany and Alsace become more fashionable, they give the wines an instantly recognisable identity.

Learn more about the Alsace wine region.

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 – considered by most growers to be Alsace’s finest grape.  Most are bone dry, displaying floral aromas and citrus and stone fruit flavours. With age, Alsace Rieslings can develop a more steely, flinty minerality.  
• Gewürztraminer – the easiest white grape variety to recognise, Gewürztraminer makes intensely aromatic whites, with distinctive floral rose petal and lychee scents. Alsace (like the Mosel region of Germany, nearby) makes some of the finest.
• Pinot Gris – a grape probably best known by its Italian name, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris is actually thought to originate from Burgundy. These days it’s better known as one of Alsace’s top white varieties, producing whites with lovely richness as well as tropical fruit and spice notes.
• Muscat – another aromatic white grape variety, Muscat is unusual in that its wines smell and taste of … grapes. There are actually two varieties of Muscat found in Alsace, Muscat Blancs à Petit Grains (also known as Muscat d’Alsace) and Muscat d’Ottonel. Most Alsace Muscats are made from a blend of the two.

Alsace is one of France’s hidden treasures – known especially for its intensely aromatic, floral scented whites.

The region lies in north-eastern France and has a dry, continental climate. The plentiful sunshine is perfect for ripening the noble white varieties, Riesling, Gewürztraminer,  Pinot Gris and Muscat.  The lack of rain forces the vines to dig deep for moisture – resulting in intensity and mineral character in the wines. It also allows winemakers to harvest later, essential for the region’s treasured Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles dessert wines.

The best wines are planted on well-drained south facing slopes, and some of the Grand Cru vineyards are so steep that they have to be terraced. This makes pruning and harvesting hard work as it must be done by hand. However, the hard work pays off as these wines have even greater ripeness and intensity.

Alsace does produce a small amount of red wine – mostly from Pinot Noir, which is also used to make the region’s sparkling rosé (Crémant d’Alsace). Alsace Pinot Noir is gaining in popularity and is similar in style to the silky-smooth reds of Burgundy.

Alsace is most famous for aromatic whites made from the noble varieties Riesling, Gewürztraminer,  Pinot Gris and Muscat. The delicate minerality and floral character of these wines makes them the aperitif par excellence.

Alsace’s aromatic whites are also good with fish and shellfish dishes, spicy Asian dishes or piquant sheep’s or goat’s cheeses.

Treat a Crémant d’Alsace as you would Champagne (whether white or rosé) and enjoy as a toast at any celebration. It’ll also pair well with canapés, shellfish dishes such as crab souffle or calamari. Flavourful soft cheeses like camembert work well too.

The sweet whites of Alsace make perfect after dinner treats, but also pair well with food.

The lusciously rich and sweet Sélection de Grains Nobles wines will pair well with salty blue cheeses like Roquefort, or with rich pates like a duck or chicken liver parfait. They will also work with fruity desserts like strawberries and cream (let the wine do the talking!) or tarte Tatin.