Alsace Wine

Alsace’s vineyards stretch along a narrow strip between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, divided both administratively and viticulturally into distinct areas. The region is split into Bas-Rhin in the north and Haut-Rhin in the south, each shaped by its own soils, climate, and wine reputation.

(North, around Strasbourg)

Location: The northern part of Alsace, centered on Strasbourg and villages along the lower Rhine plain.

Grapes/Wines: Riesling, Sylvaner, and Pinot Blanc dominate, with lighter, fresher styles of wine.

Characteristics: Cooler climate with sandstone and volcanic soils; fewer Grand Cru sites than Haut-Rhin, but home to distinctive, elegant whites.

(South, near Colmar and Vosges slopes)

Location: The southern half of Alsace, often considered the heart of the region, with Colmar as its wine capital.

Grapes/Wines: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat are most prominent, along with some Pinot Noir.

Characteristics: Sunnier, drier climate thanks to the Vosges rain shadow; home to the majority of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards, producing some of the region’s most age-worthy wines.

Alsace is best known for its aromatic white grape varieties, many of which are international classics with a distinctly local expression. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat dominate the region, producing wines that are intensely fragrant, flavorful, and often labeled by grape name—a rarity in France. Alongside these, Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner offer lighter everyday options, while Pinot Noir provides the region’s only significant red.

White Grapes

Profile: Intensely aromatic with lychee, rose, and spice; full-bodied, often off-dry.

Regions: Common in Haut-Rhin, especially in warmer Grand Cru sites.

Styles: Aromatic whites ranging from dry to sweet; late-harvest dessert wines.

Profile: Rich and textured, with pear, honey, and smoky notes; balanced by acidity.

Regions: Found throughout Alsace, especially in Grand Cru vineyards of Haut-Rhin.

Styles: Dry whites, late-harvest dessert wines (Vendanges Tardives, SGN).

(Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Muscat Ottonel)

Profile: Highly aromatic, floral, and grapey; lighter body than Gewürztraminer.

Regions: Grown in both Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin, with Grand Cru representation.

Styles: Dry still wines, occasionally late-harvest sweet wines.

Profile: Fresh, light, and versatile with apple, citrus, and floral notes.

Regions: Planted across Alsace, widely used in Crémant d’Alsace production.

Styles: Everyday whites, sparkling wines (Crémant d’Alsace).

Profile: Delicate and herbal, with light citrus and floral flavors; refreshing acidity.

Regions: More common in Bas-Rhin, though still found in Haut-Rhin.

Styles: Crisp dry whites, occasionally used in blends or lighter-style wines.

Black (Red) Grapes

Alsace is broken up by AOC law (aka Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée). These laws dictate everything from grape variety allowed to vineyard density (i.e., how far apart vines are from one another). So, to understand Alsace, it helps to understand the three major AOCs.

SINGLE VARIETAL WINES

• Overview: Established in 1962, Alsace AOC covers the majority of the region’s production—about 92%—and is the backbone of Alsace winemaking.
• Grapes & Wines: Primarily white still wines, often labeled by grape variety (a rare practice in France). Permitted varieties include Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, and Sylvaner, with Pinot Noir allowed for reds and rosés.
• Characteristics: Wines are typically dry, expressive, and aromatic, reflecting the region’s diverse soils and long growing season. Village names may also appear on labels, and some wines are single-vineyard expressions within the AOC.

Covering about 92% of the region’s production, Alsace AOC is unique in France because most wines are labeled by grape variety rather than blend. It produces mainly aromatic white wines such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat, reflecting the region’s diverse soils and long sunny ripening season.

• Overview: Introduced in 1976, Crémant d’Alsace is the region’s sparkling wine designation and is now the second most popular sparkling wine in France after Champagne.
• Grapes & Wines: Made in the traditional method (métode traditionnelle), using Pinot Blanc as the main grape, along with Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Auxerrois, and Chardonnay. Rosé Crémant must be 100% Pinot Noir.
• Characteristics: Typically fresh, crisp, and elegant, with fine bubbles and flavors ranging from citrus and green apple to floral and mineral notes. Widely enjoyed as an affordable alternative to Champagne.

Established in 1976, this AOC is dedicated to traditional-method sparkling wines and is France’s most popular sparkling after Champagne. Fresh, crisp, and elegant, Crémant d’Alsace includes both white and rosé styles, the latter made exclusively from Pinot Noir.

• Overview: First recognized in 1975, this AOC now includes 51 vineyard sites across Alsace, each with a unique terroir. These vineyards are strictly defined and produce only a small percentage of Alsace wine.
• Grapes & Wines: Traditionally limited to Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat, though a few sites allow Sylvaner and blends. Wines are usually single-varietal and must meet higher standards of vineyard density, yield limits, and minimum alcohol levels.
• Characteristics: Grand Cru wines are known for concentration, complexity, and aging potential. They are the most prestigious wines of Alsace, showcasing the influence of individual terroirs, from granite and limestone to volcanic and clay soils.

Reserved for 51 exceptional vineyard sites, this AOC highlights the region’s finest terroirs. Grand Cru wines are produced under stricter rules, usually from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, or Muscat, and are celebrated for their concentration, complexity, and ability to age gracefully.

BLENDED WINES

A higher-quality blend that must include at least 50% noble grapes (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, or Muscat).

Known for more character and balance, offering an accessible introduction to Alsace’s blending traditions.

A traditional blended white wine, made from a mix of permitted Alsace grape varieties.

Typically light, fresh, and uncomplicated, designed for easy everyday drinking.

SPECIAL ALSACE WINE STYLES

Meaning “late harvest,” these wines are made from grapes picked later in the season, concentrating sugars and flavors.

Styles: Can be off-dry to sweet, often from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, or Muscat.

Produced from hand-selected grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), creating intensely sweet, concentrated wines.

Styles: Rare, rich dessert wines known for their aging potential and complexity.

Alsace organizes its wines through a system of Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée (AOCs), with distinctions for regional wines, sparkling wines, and the most prestigious Grand Cru sites.

The broadest designation, covering still wines made across the region. Wines can be labeled by grape variety (e.g., Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris), which is unusual in France. This tier accounts for the majority of Alsace production.

Established in 1975 and expanded over time, today there are 51 Grand Cru vineyards. Each is recognized for its unique terroir and stricter production standards (lower yields, higher ripeness). Only the four “noble grapes” — Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat — are permitted (with some recent exceptions). Labels carry the vineyard name alongside “Grand Cru.”

This designation is reserved for Alsace’s sparkling wines, produced using the traditional method. Made mostly from Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Pinot Noir, Crémant d’Alsace is France’s second most popular sparkling wine after Champagne.