Alsace

Alsace is on the eastern border of France and Germany. The two countries have claimed Alsace over the years, but since WWII, it has been part of France. French and German sensibilities influence Alsace wine, as does the cold climate.

Alsace primarily produces white wine, emphasizes the type of grape over the location, and most are single-variety wines made from one grape type. Even for red wines, their wines are rarely aged in oak, and most are produced in a dry style, meaning no sweetness can be detected. Alsace allows only a handful of grapes to be used in its best Grand Cru wines and calls them noble varieties.    

Historic Tidbit

The bestselling book “Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France’s Greatest Treasure” is a fascinating account of WWII-era Alsace winemakers living under Nazi rule.     

Recommended signature wine

For Alsace, their recommended signature wine is Riesling. This wine is an expressive wine made from grapes with the same name. Rieslings are made in sweet to dry styles and produce flowery aromatic flavors with fruitiness, a light body, high acid, and relatively low alcohol. As for flavors, you will find citrus notes (lime, oranges), green apples, waxiness, jasmine, nectarines, and what professionals call petroleum.

Alsace Appellations

The Alsace wine region has a natural divide between the northern Bas-Rhin and southern Haut-Rhin, where the best vineyards exist at higher elevations. Alsace has three types of AOCs, one that covers the entire region, one for the best wines, and one AOC reserved for sparkling wine.

Unlike most French wine regions, Alsace has no middle-quality tier (IGP), meaning wines that do not qualify for the top-quality AOC status must be labeled Vin or Vin D’Alsace. This occurs when producers use grape varieties not allowed in AOCs, such as in a blend of Chardonnay and Auxerrois.    

Vin or Vin D’Alsace.

The lowest quality tier includes wines that do not adhere to the Alsace AOCs’ higher standards and regulations.

Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP).

This appellation type does not exist in Alsace.

Appellation Alsace Contrôlée AOC.

This is the middle tier of Alsace wine quality. The white grapes allowed by AOC regulations are Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Muscat, Chasselas, Auxerrois Blanc, and Klevener de Heiligenstein. Pinot Noir is the only red grape permitted.

Alsace Grand Cru AOC.

Only the best vineyards are given Grand Cru status and considered wine appellations. Only the “noble varieties” of Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat are allowed.

Cremant d’Alsace AOC.

Traditional Method sparkling wines can only be made with Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Auxerrois grapes.

Note: Cremant d’Alsac, Lambrusco, Cava, Champagne, or sparkling wine should be chilled to the ideal temperature when served. This Laser Wine Thermometer reads the internal temperature of the wine in the bottle before you pop the cork!!   

Classifications

Edelwicker.

Denotes a white blend and will appear on Alsace wine labels.

Gentil.

Gentil is used on Alsace wine labels for a white wine blend of at least 50% of the noble varieties: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat.

Noble varieties.

A limited number of grapes are allowed in Alsace’s Grand Cru wines. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat are deemed as “noble” varieties.

Sélection de Grains Nobles.

This term, found on Alsace wine labels, refers to the sweetest and most dense wines made from grapes dehydrated naturally by botrytis, aka noble rot.

Vendanges Tardives. 

This term is found on Alsace wine labels for late-harvest wines that are made from very ripe grapes that tend to be sweeter.