Alsace

Alsace

Nestled along France’s eastern border with Germany, Alsace is a region like no other — famed for its aromatic white wines, noble grape varieties, and picture-perfect villages. With its dry climate, steep slopes, and unique cultural blend, Alsace produces some of Europe’s most expressive and food-friendly wines, from dry Riesling to opulent Gewurztraminer.

Food Pairings with Alsace Wines

Riesling Perfect with pork, choucroute garnie (Alsatian sauerkraut), sushi, spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes.
Gewurztraminer Great with spicy Indian food, blue cheeses, foie gras, or roast duck with fruit.
Pinot Gris Match with rich poultry, creamy mushroom dishes, or mildly spiced Moroccan tagines.
Crémant d’Alsace Excellent with quiche, soft cheeses, smoked salmon, or as an aperitif.
Pinot Noir Try with roast chicken, mushroom tart, or grilled sausages.

Geography & Climate

Alsace sits between the Vosges Mountains to the west and the Rhine River to the east. This geographic shield creates a rain shadow, making Alsace one of the driest wine regions in France — ideal for ripening aromatic grapes.

Vineyards are planted along east-facing slopes at varying elevations. The region’s complex geology — with over a dozen soil types within short distances — contributes to highly distinctive wines. Terroir is celebrated through the Grand Cru system and emerging focus on lieu-dits (named vineyard sites).

History of Alsace

Winemaking in Alsace dates back to Roman times, but the region’s cultural and political identity has fluctuated between France and Germany for centuries. This dual heritage shaped its grape varieties, architecture, and labeling traditions.
By the 20th century, after returning definitively to France post-WWII, Alsace established its own AOC system in 1962. It remains one of the few French regions to label wines by grape variety — a Germanic influence — and is known for its focus on varietal purity and terroir expression.

Subregions and Appellations

Covers the entire region; wines are typically varietally labeled.

51 designated vineyards known for exceptional terroir. Strict regulations, limited to noble varieties (mostly Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat).

Dedicated to sparkling wines made in the traditional method.

Not separate regions but special designations for late-harvest and botrytized wines.

Signature Wine Styles

White Wines

Riesling: Dry, high-acid, with notes of citrus, green apple, and wet stone. Long-lived and transparent to terroir.
Gewurztraminer: Rich, exotic, and perfumed with lychee, rose, and spice. Often off-dry or semi-sweet.
Pinot Gris: Fuller-bodied, textured, with stone fruit, smoke, and honeyed tones. Can be dry or slightly sweet.
Muscat: Intensely aromatic, floral, and fresh. Usually dry in Alsace. Sylvaner & Pinot Blanc: Lighter and more neutral; ideal for early drinking.

Red Wines

Pinot Noir: The only permitted red variety. Styles range from light and fruity to more structured and oak-aged in warmer sites.

Sweet Wines

Vendanges Tardives (VT): Late-harvest wines with rich, concentrated sweetness.
Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN): Botrytized dessert wines made from the region’s noble grapes — rare and luscious.

Sparkling Wines

Crémant d’Alsace: Made using the traditional method; crisp, lively, and affordable. Often blends of Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, and Chardonnay.

Notable Producers

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht (Turckheim)

Biodynamic pioneer with powerful, terroir-driven whites

Trimbach (Ribeauvillé)

Classic, dry Rieslings built for aging

Domaine Weinbach (Kaysersberg)

Top producer of elegant, floral Gewurztraminer and Riesling

Albert Boxler (Niedermorschwihr)

Traditionalist with pure, focused expressions from granite soils

Marcel Deiss (Bergheim)

Champion of field blends and terroir over grape variety

Dirler-Cadé (Bergholtz)

Organic and biodynamic wines with finesse and tension

Fun Facts about Alsace

Alsace is the driest major wine region in France thanks to the Vosges Mountains' rain shadow.
It's one of the few French regions to label wines by grape variety, a Germanic tradition.
Vendanges Tardives and SGN are among the most regulated sweet wine categories in France.
Alsace has 51 Grand Cru vineyards, each with its own soil, slope, and microclimate.
Crémant d’Alsace is the second-most consumed sparkling wine in France after Champagne.
Many Alsace producers follow organic or biodynamic practices due to the dry, disease-resistant climate.

Quick Facts

Key Grape Varieties

Red Varieties

White Varieties