Explore the enchanting world of Alsace wine with our ultimate guide. Uncover the secrets of this renowned French wine region, from its unique terroir and grape varieties to expert tasting notes and pairing suggestions. Perfect for wine enthusiasts looking to deepen their appreciation of Alsace's exquisite wines.
Few destinations can rival the enchanting wine region of Alsace, France. On top of being world-renowned for its sensational natural beauty, the area has an extraordinary viticultural heritage tracing back thousands of years.
With such a rich history, it’s no surprise that Alsace wines have earned global recognition. Between its stunning scenery and excellent whites, crémants, and reds, Alsace is a paradise for wine lovers.
In this article, we provide the ultimate guide to Alsace wine, covering everything from its history and most common grape varieties to its climate and finest wines.
The Alsace wine region is located in northeastern France in the foothills of the Vosges, on the border with Germany and Switzerland. Despite often being overshadowed by its famous neighbors—Burgundy and Champagne to the west, and Jura and Savoie to the south—Alsace boasts a unique charm.
Nestled between Switzerland and Germany, the region occupies a special position that imparts distinctive qualities to its wines. The rich heritage and winemaking practices of all three countries are evident in every sip.
The Alsace wine region's proximity to the Vosges mountains shelters it from rain while exposing it to abundant sunlight. This positioning results in a semi-continental climate characterized by many hot, dry, sunny days, which are ideal for grape cultivation.
In addition to its climate, the terroir of Alsace plays a crucial role in its exceptional wine production. The region boasts incredibly diverse soils, with 13 distinct types including granite, limestone, clay, shale, and sandstone. Each soil type imparts unique flavors and characteristics to the grapes grown in the area.
The history of Alsace wine is long and complex, dating back thousands of years. The Celts started winemaking, which then flourished under Roman rule, with vineyards established all over the region.
By the 1500s, Alsace wines were already famous across Europe for their quality. However, the Thirty Years' War in the 1600s destroyed many local vineyards. It wasn’t until the late 1600s that Alsace winemakers began to recover. Then, the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars disrupted vineyard ownership and traditional winemaking practices.
In the 1800s, the grape phylloxera epidemic nearly wiped out the vineyards. The 20th century brought more challenges, with both World Wars impacting Alsace's viticulture.
Despite these setbacks, the Alsace wine region continued to evolve, blending French and German winemaking styles. Today, it is world-renowned for its exceptional wines, especially its aromatic whites.
The Alsace wine region is particularly well known for its whites. In fact, 90% of those grown in the region are white. You can expect floral, spicy notes from these wines, which are esteemed for their elegance and aromatic aromas.
While each type of wine from Alsace is unique, they often display a dry, pure character and finesse which means they tend to pair brilliantly with savory fowl such as roast quail.
The most widely planted grape varieties in Alsace are Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Noir, and Sylvaner. Each variety has unique characteristics that influence the wines in different ways.
To get an idea of what to expect from Alsace wines, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with the flavor profiles of these grapes:
Riesling is often considered to produce the best Alsace wines. Unlike the famous German Rieslings, these grapes are incredibly dry and much fuller in body. They pair well with fish and roast pork, while their dessert wines go wonderfully with baked custard sweets like crème brûlée or lemon tart.
Alsace Pinot Gris, also known as Tokay-Pinot Gris, are rich and full-bodied with a hint of sweetness. They offer flavors of ripe pear and peach, with a touch of spice and a lush texture. These grapes pair particularly well with Thai or Middle Eastern food, smoked fish, and roast goose.
Known for their crisp and delicate fruit flavors, wines made from Alsace Pinot Blanc grapes are refreshing and easy-drinking. They typically show notes of apple, citrus, and floral aromas, making them perfect for casual sipping or as an apéritif. They are often blended with Auxerrois grapes to produce rounded wines.
Alsace Gewurztraminer is one of the most famous grapes in the region. These aromatic, pink-skinned beauties have distinct aromas of lychees and rose petals, with a notable spice. This makes them excellent for pairing with richly flavored, spicy foods like Chinese and Indian cuisine. Dessert Gewurztraminer also pairs beautifully with desserts.
Muscat grapes are aromatic and expressive, with floral and fruity aromas reminiscent of orange blossom and grapefruit, complemented by a crisp acidity that provides a nice freshness. Alsace Muscat wines go wonderfully with fresh, delicate foods such as asparagus.
Alsace Pinot Noir grapes are elegant and fruity, often showcasing flavors of red berries, cherry, and earthy undertones. With a light to medium body and silky tannins, they are ideal for pairing with poultry or pork dishes.
Traditionally, pinot noir wines from Alsace were made to be pale, almost rosé-like. These days, winemakers in the area are adapting to demand, with top producers now producing deep, tannic reds that age well.
Known for their freshness and simplicity, Alsace Sylvaner produces wines that offer crisp acidity and a subtle fruitiness, with flavors of green apple, lemon, and herbal notes. These wines are perfect for enjoying alongside seafood, cooked meats, and fish.
Originally, all the wine produced in the Alsace region was simply called Alsace, serving as a single, catch-all appellation. However, due to the vast size of the region—spanning over fifteen thousand hectares—and the diversity of its vineyards, ranging from flatlands to mountain slopes, it was decided to create a new appellation system.
The Alsace Grand Cru appellation was established, inspired by the model used in Burgundy. Today, the Alsace wine region produces wines under three Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOCs) for their reds, whites and rosé:
Each appellation has unique rules that each winemaker must follow that dictate things like the grape varieties that are allowed to be used. For Alsace Grand Cru AOC, only Muscat, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer are allowed.
There aren’t any restrictions for the AOC Alsace. Winemakers in the area often make the most of this freedom by producing a broad range of whites with varying sugar levels, resulting in everything from dry to sweet wines.
The Crémant d’Alsace AOC dictates that the sparkly grape juice produced in this area is made according to traditional methods and meets certain quality standards. They are often aged for 18 months or more.
The region also boasts 50 named Grand Cru sites, exclusively dedicated to four of the most esteemed grape varieties: Pinot Gris, Muscat, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer. Alsace is also very highly regarded for its blended varieties which offer wonderful everyday wines.
Of course, you’ll want to taste the best Alsace wines for yourself. There are many exceptional varieties to choose from, we have shared some of our favorites below.
Produced from specific vineyard sites classified as Grand Cru, Alsace Riesling wines are celebrated for their complexity, minerality, and ability to age gracefully. They are made using some of the most highly-regarded grapes in the area.
Grand Cru Rieslings typically exhibit vibrant acidity, citrus and stone fruit flavors, and a distinctive mineral character. Imagine the aromas of freshly cut apples, white flowers, and honey. Sweet yet boasting a slight acidity that offers a fresh finish, these Grand Crus are considered the best Alsace Rieslings.
If you want to sample an Alsace white wine with sleek tropical flavors, look no further than Gewurztraminer. Intensely aromatic, it boasts notes of lychee, jasmine, peach, honey, and exotic spices. Expect a luscious texture perfectly balanced with subtle acidity.
Many Alsace wineries produce this wonderful variety.
Translating to “late harvest”, Vendanges Tardives wines are harvested later than other varieties to concentrate flavors and sweetness. They offer a complex bouquet of ripe pear, peach, and sometimes smoky notes, with a full-bodied mouthfeel and a lingering finish.
Alsace's resident sparkling wine, Crémant d'Alsace is crafted using traditional methods and can be made from Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, or Chardonnay grapes. It is known for its fine bubbles, crisp acidity, and delicate flavors of citrus, apple, buttery brioche and almond.
Crémant is the French term for traditional-method sparkling wines produced outside the Champagne region. For Crémant d'Alsace, the vinification process involves a minimum maturing period of nine months, ensuring a high-quality product. This delicious sparkling wine has earned a reputation as one of the best wines from Alsace.
While less well-known than Burgundy's Pinot Noir, Alsace produces elegant and expressive Pinot Noir wines. They typically exhibit red fruit flavors like cherry and raspberry, along with earthy notes and a silky texture. Alsace Pinot Noir is versatile, pairing well with lots of different foods and cuisines.
Often hailed as the finest Alsace red wine, it is light-bodied with soft, supple tannins, making it a delightful choice for many occasions.
Known for its aromatic intensity and refreshing character, Alsace Muscat is a white wine made from Muscat grapes. It has clean, floral aromas, and notes of citrus and exotic fruits, and a crisp, clean finish. Alsace Muscat wines are versatile, enjoyed as an apéritif or paired with a variety of dishes.
Sylvaner is a crisp and refreshing white wine variety grown in Alsace. Known for its bright acidity and subtle floral aromas, Alsace Sylvaner offers flavors of green apple, pear, and a hint of citrus. It is a versatile wine that blends well with seafood, salads, and lighter dishes, making it a popular choice
Among Alsace's white wine offerings. Light and spontaneous, Sylvaner is one of the best wines from Alsace.
Edelzwicker is a traditional Alsace wine blend that combines several grape varieties, showcasing the region's diversity and winemaking craftsmanship. Typically a blend of Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Muscat, and Gewurztraminer, Alsace Edelzwicker wines offer a crisp, fruity profile with floral aromas and a refreshing finish.
This versatile wine pairs well with a wide range of dishes, making it a popular choice among Alsace's wine enthusiasts.
With wine-making heritage tracing back millennia, Alsace is one of the most magical wine regions in France. Producing household names such as Riesling and Cremant, along with lesser-known gems, like its local Sylvaner and Muscat, there are so many exceptional varieties to try in this picturesque corner of Europe.
Tempted to get out and sample the wines of Alsace for yourself? Take a look at our magnificent selection of wine tours in Alsace. Discover some of the most legendary vineyards in the area, while sampling exquisite blends and uncovering the local history.
