04/17/2025
Alsace, in northeastern France, is one of the most unique regions in the wine world. Up against the border with Germany, the region takes a lot of cues from both French and German traditions. The official language is French, but a lot of folks will speak German too, which influences a lot of the wines of the region in terms of wine styles.
Four noble varieties—Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Muscat—define Alsace’s wine identity, complemented by Pinot Noir for reds and additional varieties like Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois, creating a diverse grape-scape.
Ranging from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, Alsatian wines showcase remarkable versatility. The region’s white wines are particularly renowned, with Crémant representing their sparkling wine tradition. Produced using the traditional method (méthode champenoise), Crémant d’Alsace is typically crafted from Pinot Noir for rosé and a blend of local grapes like Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Auxerrois for white varieties. Botrytis, known as “noble rot,” plays a crucial role in creating the region’s most extraordinary sweet wines. This beneficial fungus dehydrates grape clusters, concentrating sugars and creating complex flavor profiles, transforming them into luscious dessert wines.
France’s sunniest region, Alsace enjoys a distinctive microclimate created by the Vosges Mountains’ rain shadow, providing optimal conditions for viticulture with dry, sunny conditions that nurture exceptional grape development. There’s also a really wide mix of soil types in the geology. Alsace’s terroir offers winemakers a complex canvas of soil types that contribute to the nuanced character of its renowned wines.
There are over 50 Grand Cru designated vineyards in Alsace, and that can often appear on the label. The Grand Cru system, established in the late 20th century, meticulously categorizes vineyards, each with specific regulations governing grape varieties and winemaking practices, embodying the French commitment to terroir-driven production.
Visit the link below to explore our selection from the region.
https://www.mediumplus.com/product-category/wine/france/alsace/
