Alsace
Alsace (/ælˈsæs/; French: [alzas]) is a wine region in north-eastern France, situated along the Rhine River between the Vosges Mountains and the German border. It is distinguished by its aromatic white wines, unique history of alternating French and German influence, and a complex patchwork of soils that contribute to highly varied styles.[1]
Historical background
Viticulture in Alsace dates back to the Roman era, with records of vineyard cultivation from the 2nd century CE.[2] The region’s political history has profoundly shaped its wine culture: control alternated between France and Germany from the 17th to the 20th centuries, influencing grape preferences and labelling traditions. The modern appellation system was introduced after Alsace returned to France following the Second World War, with Alsace AOC established in 1962.[3]
Geography and vineyards
Alsace vineyards extend over roughly 15,000 hectares along a narrow strip at the eastern foothills of the Vosges.[4] The mountains provide shelter from Atlantic rainfall, making Alsace one of France’s driest winegrowing regions. Soils are notably diverse, ranging from granite and schist to limestone, marl, and clay, often changing within short distances. The region is divided into the Haut-Rhin to the south and the Bas-Rhin to the north, with the former historically regarded as the source of many of the most prestigious sites.
Grapes and wine styles
White varieties dominate production. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat are considered the four noble grapes of Alsace.[5] Wines are typically varietal and labelled by grape, a practice more common in Germany than in France. Pinot Noir is the only permitted red grape, producing light reds and rosés, though warmer vintages and changing consumer tastes have led to deeper styles.
In addition to dry table wines, Alsace is known for late-harvest styles: Vendanges Tardives (VT) and Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN), which are made from grapes affected by botrytis or left to overripen.[6] Crémant d’Alsace, a traditional-method sparkling wine, has become a significant category, accounting for around one quarter of the region’s output.
Appellations and regulation
The regional appellation Alsace AOC covers the majority of production and requires wines to be bottled in the distinctive tall flute known as the "vin d’Alsace" bottle. The Alsace Grand Cru designation, introduced in 1975 and expanded in the 1980s and 1990s, recognises 51 classified vineyard sites with stricter rules on permitted grape varieties and yields.[7] Crémant d’Alsace was granted AOC status in 1976.
Contemporary developments
Alsace exports a significant share of its production, particularly to Germany, the United States, and northern Europe.[8] Recent decades have seen debate over sweetness levels in Riesling and other white wines, with some producers advocating a return to drier styles. Sustainability and organic viticulture are also expanding, reflecting broader European trends.
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015, p. 21.
- ↑ Huss, Histoire du vignoble alsacien, Éditions du Rhin, 2005, p. 34. (French original)
- ↑ Stevenson, The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, 5th ed., DK, 2011, p. 148.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019, p. 134.
- ↑ Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace (CIVA), “Vins d’Alsace”, vinsalsace.com. (French original)
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015, p. 22.
- ↑ Stevenson, The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, 5th ed., DK, 2011, p. 150.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019, p. 136.