Alsace Region

Learn all about the Alsace region

Alsace is a wine region located in eastern France, along the Rhine, between the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains. Modest in size, it stands out for its great diversity of grape varieties and wine styles. Production is predominantly white wines, but it also includes reds, rosés, and sparkling wines, ranging from dry to sweet.

A long, narrow vineyard

The Alsace vineyard spans approximately 15,600 hectares, spread across 119 municipalities, forming a narrow north-south oriented strip. It benefits from a temperate continental climate, protected from oceanic influences by the Vosges mountains. This situation provides dry summers, long autumns, and cold winters, favorable for the gradual ripening of grapes.

The soils are highly varied: limestone, sandstone, granite, schist, gneiss. This geological diversity allows for a highly differentiated expression of grape varieties depending on the plots and areas.

Emblematic Grape Varieties of Alsace

Thirteen grape varieties are authorized in AOC Alsace, including twelve white and one red. The main cultivated grape varieties are:

• Riesling: a dry, lively, and aromatic wine, with notes of citrus, flowers, and minerality

• Pinot Blanc: a supple and balanced wine, with aromas of white fruits and flowers

• Gewurztraminer: a powerful and highly aromatic wine, characterized by rose, lychee, and spices

• Pinot Gris: a more structured wine, with notes of yellow fruits, dried fruits, and sometimes honey

• Sylvaner: a fresh and light wine, with floral and fruity aromas

• Muscat: a dry and expressive wine, with aromas of fresh grape

• Pinot Noir: the region's only red grape variety, yielding fruity and lightly tannic wines

• Klevener de Heiligenstein (Savagnin rose): a rare grape variety, producing aromatic and structured wines

White wines overwhelmingly dominate Alsatian production.

Alsace Appellations

The region is structured around several appellations:

• AOC Alsace, which accounts for the majority of production

• AOC Crémant d’Alsace, for white and rosé sparkling wines

• AOC Alsace Grand Cru, reserved for plots recognized for the quality of their terroir

A unique characteristic of Alsace is that the grape variety name must be mentioned on the label, simplifying the reading and selection of wines.

Alsace Food and Wine Pairings

Alsace wines offer great versatility at the table.
Riesling pairs well with fish, seafood, and traditional dishes like sauerkraut.
Gewurztraminer complements foie gras, strong cheeses, or spicy dishes.
Sylvaner is suitable for charcuterie and simple meals.
Pinot Blanc and Gris pair with poultry and cream-based dishes.
Pinot Noir can accompany both light red meat and an aperitif.

Alsace Wineries to Explore

This selection highlights estates representative of the diversity of Alsatian styles:

• Domaine Marcel Deiss

• Jean-Pierre Rietsch

• Julien Meyer

• Vincent Stoeffler

These estates allow for the exploration of Alsace through wines with varied profiles, suitable for both discovery and regular tasting.