Nestled between the Vosges mountains and the German border, Alsace is France's most easterly wine producing region, with its capital Strasbourg and its wine centre Colmar. It is also one of the driest regions in France due to the influence of the Vosges - annual rainfall in Colmar is as low as 500mm. The Vosges also serve to shelter the vineyards which are cultivated on both the plains and very steep slopes. Terracing is used on the steep slopes which are also home to the Grand Cru* vineyards. Soils are very varied from alluvial to granite and schist*.
a wine village in Alsace
The wines of Alsace are primarily varietal including Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Tokay Pinot Gris and a small amount of Pinot Noir. Over 90% of Alsation wines are white. Alsace also produces an excellent semi-bubbly known as Cremant d'Alsace from the Pinot Blanc.
Most wines from Alsace are fermented dry as distinct from their German counterparts which are often sweet or off-dry. For this reason many Alsace varieties achieve high alcohol especially Gewurtztraminer which can reach 14%.
Alsace also produces some speciality wines and some excellent Grand Crus. To attain Grand Cru status wines must come from one of four permitted grape varieties, Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris and Gewurtztraminer. They must be from a single vineyard in the best location, from a single vintage, have lower yields* and pass a stringent quality test. Vendange Tardive* wines are made from late picked grapes with much higher sugar levels from the same varieties as the Grand Crus in exceptional vintages.
Possibly the most expensive wines from Alsace are the Selection des Grains Nobles* which are made in the same way as the Vendange Tardive but with the added effect of botrytis* giving wines of enormous richness and complexity.
