The Region

Nestled between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, Alsace is France's northernmost wine region, yet paradoxically one of its driest and sunniest. This unique geography creates a semi-continental climate protected from western rains, allowing grapes to ripen slowly while retaining brilliant acidity.

15,500

Hectares of Vineyards

51

Grand Crus

13+

Soil Types

A History Written in Stone

The story of Alsace wine begins over 2,000 years ago when Roman legions first planted vines along the Rhine. But it was the medieval monasteries that elevated viticulture to an art form, meticulously mapping the best slopes and establishing the foundation of today's Grand Cru sites.

The region's tumultuous history—oscillating between French and German control over centuries—created a unique hybrid culture. This is reflected in the tall, slender "flute" bottles (traditionally Germanic) and grape varieties like Riesling and Gewürztraminer that speak to Germanic roots, yet crafted with French precision.

"On April 20, 1972, four thousand winemakers brought Colmar to a standstill, protesting against bulk wine and advocating for the bottling of all Alsace appellation wines."

— The 1972 Revolution

The Route des Vins d'Alsace, established in 1953, was one of France's first wine tourism routes, winding through medieval villages like Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé.

1962

AOC Alsace officially recognized

1975

First Grand Cru sites designated (Schlossberg)

1983

Vendanges Tardives & SGN classifications added

2024

Pinot Noir authorized in Grand Crus; bottle shapes modernized

The Noble Seven

Alsace specializes in single-varietal wines—a rarity in France—allowing each grape's personality to express its terroir with crystalline clarity.

Riesling

21%

The king of Alsace grapes. Not to be confused with sweet German versions, Alsatian Riesling is dry, racy, and mineral.

Citrus, green apple, petrol (with age)

Best on: Granite, limestone, sandstone

Top Grand Crus

Schlossberg, Rosacker, Sommerberg

Gewürztraminer

18%

The most aromatic of all wine grapes. Alsace is the world's largest producer with over 2,200 hectares of this spicy, floral variety.

Lychee, rose, ginger, tropical fruits

Best on: Marl-limestone, clay

Top Grand Crus

Hengst, Mambourg, Kaefferkopf

Pinot Gris

17%

Formerly called Tokay d'Alsace, this grape produces rich, smoky wines with surprising aging potential.

Smoke, honey, dried fruit, mushroom

Best on: Marl, limestone, volcanic

Top Grand Crus

Brand, Rangen, Vorbourg

Pinot Blanc

25%

The workhorse of Alsace, often blended with Auxerrois. Fresh, easy-drinking, and the base for most Crémant d'Alsace.

Apple, pear, white flowers

Best on: Loess, alluvial soils

Style

Crisp, light, perfect for apéritif

Muscat

3%

Made from two varieties: Muscat d'Alsace (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains) and Muscat Ottonel. Always dry and intensely grapey.

Fresh grapes, orange blossom, mint

Best on: Limestone (Goldert GC)

Unique Trait

Smells sweet, tastes completely dry

Sylvaner

4%

The rising star of Alsace. Once maligned, now celebrated for its refreshing acidity and moderate alcohol in a warming climate.

White flowers, apple, herbaceous

Only Grand Cru: Zotzenberg

Renaissance

Natural wine producers' favorite

The Red Revolution

Pinot Noir

Once a minor player, Pinot Noir now commands 13% of plantings. In 2024, Vorbourg joined Kirchberg and Hengst as the third Grand Cru authorized for red wine, recognizing Alsace's potential for structured, mineral-driven Pinot Noir.

+30%

Plantings since 2003

3

Grand Crus for Red

The Mosaic of Terroirs

Alsace possesses one of the world's most geologically complex vineyards. The collision of tectonic plates created a patchwork of 13 distinct soil types across just 15,500 hectares.

Granite & Gneiss

Vosges Slopes

Ancient crystalline bedrock (>570 million years) producing coarse, acidic soils. Vines struggle here, creating low yields with intense concentration.

Wine Character: Crystalline purity, floral aromatics, laser-like acidity, stony minerality. Best for Riesling.

Examples: Schlossberg, Brand, Sommerberg

Limestone & Marl

Sub-Vosgian Hills

Marine sedimentary rocks from Triassic and Jurassic seas. These alkaline soils provide structure and aging potential.

Wine Character: Broad acidity, substantial body, austere in youth, developing honeyed complexity with age.

Examples: Osterberg, Rosacker, Zinnkoepflé

Volcanic Tuff

Thann Region

Ancient Permian basalt (300 million years old), dark and heat-retaining. The only true volcanic terroir in the region.

Wine Character: Smoky, flinty aromas, powerful structure, exceptional longevity. Intensely mineral.

Example: Rangen de Thann (sole Grand Cru)

Schist

Andlau Region

Rare layered metamorphic rocks, rich in minerals. Excellent drainage and heat retention create wines of unique tension.

Wine Character: Nervy, racy acidity, smoky/stony notes, slow to open up. Wines of great longevity.

Example: Kastelberg (only Grand Cru on schist)

Soil Distribution Across the Region

North
Granite

Center
Mixed

South
Volcanic

Vosges Mountains (West) → Rhine Plain (East)

Granite/Gneiss

Riesling, Sylvaner

Marl-Limestone

Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris

Volcanic

Riesling, Pinot Gris

Schist

Riesling

The 51 Grand Crus

Established between 1975 and 2007, these exceptional terroirs represent the pinnacle of Alsace winemaking.

Schlossberg

Kaysersberg • Granite

The first Grand Cru (1975). Pure granite produces Rieslings of crystalline precision and incredible aging potential.

Hengst

Wintzenheim • Marl-Limestone

Powerful Gewürztraminer terroir. Heavy clay-limestone soils create opulent, spicy wines that evolve into truffle and dried fruit complexity.

Rangen

Thann • Volcanic Tuff

The only Grand Cru on 100% volcanic soil. Steep slopes (up to 60°) yield intensely smoky, mineral wines with massive structure.

Kastelberg

Andlau • Schist

The sole schist Grand Cru. Produces taut, austere Rieslings that demand patience but reward with incredible complexity.

Rosacker

Hunawihr • Limestone

Famous for both Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Muschelkalk limestone provides straight, structured wines with saline minerality.

Zotzenberg

Mittelbergheim • Marl

The only Grand Cru where Sylvaner is permitted. Produces rich, textured wines that challenge the variety's humble reputation.

Understanding the Hierarchy

AOC Alsace

The base appellation. Must be single-varietal (or Edelzwicker blend). 8 permitted grapes.

Communales & Lieux-Dits

Village-level designations (13 communes) and named vineyard sites (200-300 Lieux-dits) indicating specific terroirs.

Grand Cru

51 designated sites. Restricted to Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat (plus Sylvaner at Zotzenberg and Pinot Noir at 3 sites).

Pioneers of Sustainability

The Natural Wine Revolution

Alsace isn't just preserving tradition—it's leading France's sustainable wine movement. The region was home to the first organic vineyard (1961) and first biodynamic vineyard (1969) in France.

Today, over 36% of vineyards are certified organic, making Alsace one of France's greenest regions. A new generation of vignerons is pushing boundaries with natural wines, orange wines, and zero-sulfur cuvées that challenge conventions while honoring terroir.

36%

Organic Certification

8%

Biodynamic Farming

Key Producers to Know

Domaine Binner Pierre Frick Marc Kreydenweiss Domaine Ostertag Julien Meyer Vins Pirouettes

Did You Know?

Alsace produces exceptional orange wines (macerated white wines), particularly from Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer, offering tannins and structure rare in white wines.

Liquid Gold

Late Harvest & Noble Rot Wines

Vendanges Tardives (VT)

"Late Harvest" wines made from grapes left on the vine to achieve over-ripeness. Minimum sugar levels are strictly regulated.

Rich, honeyed, often sweet (though can be dry)
Dried fruit, apricot, caramel notes
Exceptional aging potential (20+ years)

Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN)

"Selection of Noble Berries"—grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea (noble rot), concentrating sugars and adding complex spice notes.

Rare and expensive (selective hand harvesting)
Honey, saffron, dried apricot, botrytis spice
Legendary longevity (50+ years possible)

Crémant d'Alsace

Representing over one-third of all production, Alsace sparkling wine is made using the traditional method (same as Champagne) at a fraction of the price.

Blanc de Blancs

100% Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois. Fresh, light, perfect apéritif.

Rosé

100% Pinot Noir. Elegant red fruit character.

Prestige Cuvées

Aged on lees for up to 10 years. Complex and gastronomic.