Alsace French wine appellation guide: location, history, wines, climate & soil
Alsace is the main appellation of France's Alsace region, famous for aromatic, varietally labelled white wines such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer, sold in their distinctive tall, slender "flute" bottles.
More info about Alsace
Geographic position
Northeastern France, in the Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin departments, on a narrow 100 km strip of vineyards along the eastern foothills of the Vosges mountains, between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, facing the Rhine and Germany.
Origin & history
The Romans brought vines to Alsace, and by the Middle Ages its wines were among the most prized in Europe, shipped along the Rhine. Alsace changed hands between France and Germany several times, which explains its Germanic grape names and bottles. The Alsace AOC was created in 1962, with 51 Grand Cru sites recognised from 1975.
Wines & grape varieties
Mostly white, usually single-variety: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner, plus Pinot Noir for reds and rosés. Styles range from bone-dry to late-harvest (Vendanges Tardives) and noble-rot sweet wines (Sélection de Grains Nobles).
Climate & soil
Semi-continental climate, one of France's driest thanks to the Vosges. Granite, limestone, sandstone, schist, marl and volcanic soils.
Wine region: Alsace
Grape varieties: Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sylvaner