Alsace

Alsace

94/100 B+D
Bio
Marcel Deiss - Schoffweg 2021 – Sku: 46721 – 3
Marcel Deiss
2021
Alsace PDO
€44.00
Bio
Marcel Deiss - Schoffweg 2020  – Sku: 467 – 4
Marcel Deiss
2020
Alsace PDO
€44.00
Bio
Marcel Deiss - Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives 2018 – Sku: 44318 – 11
Marcel Deiss
2018
Alsace PDO
€49.00
Albert Boxler - Gewurztraminer VT 50cl Boland 2015 – Sku: 583 – 3
Albert Boxler
2015
Alsace PDO
€49.00
Albert Boxler - Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg JV 2021 – Sku: 63021 – 20
Albert Boxler
2021
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
€54.00
Bio
Albert Mann - Gewurztraminer Furstentum SGN 37,5cl en 2015 – Sku: 114 – 4
Albert Mann
2015
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
€54.00
95/100 RVF
96/100 B+D
Bio
Marcel Deiss - Burlenberg 2019 – Sku: 44719 – 6
Marcel Deiss
2019
Alsace PDO
€55.00
92/100 RVF
Bio
Albert Mann - Riesling Wineck-Schlossberg Grand Cru 2020 – Sku: 7120 – 7
Albert Mann
2020
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
€55.00
92/100 RVF
Bio
Albert Mann - Magnum Crémant d'Alsace Extra Brut 2019 – Sku: 07120 – 1
Albert Mann
2019
Crémant-d'Alsace PDO
€55.00
Albert Boxler - Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg W 2018 – Sku: 636 – 2
Albert Boxler
2018
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
€55.00
Albert Boxler - Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg W VT 50cl 2017 – Sku: 490 – 6
Albert Boxler
2017
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
€55.00
Albert Boxler - Pinot Gris Grand Cru Brand 2016 – Sku: 644 – 1
Albert Boxler
2016
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
€56.00
Page

Escapade in the vineyards of Alsace

At the foot of the Vosges mountains, over 120 km, lies one of the most modest vineyards in France, at least in terms of size. From its 15,500 hectares of vines, Alsace produces a rich variety of wines. If dry white wines are typical of the Alsatian vineyard, one can also taste sweet and syrupy white wines, sparkling wines, and some rosé and red wines. Their finesse and elegance have made the reputation of the region, which can pride itself on having launched the first tourist wine route in France. More than two million visitors, lovers of wine, typical villages and exceptional landscapes, criss-cross it every year. Now it's your turn to take a trip to Alsace, in the heart of the vineyards.

General presentation of the Alsatian vineyard

The vineyards of Alsace extend over the whole region, through its two departments, the Bas-Rhin in the north and the Haut-Rhin in the south. From Wissembourg, on the German border, to Leimbach, near Thann, 120 km of vineyards stretch between the Vosges and the Rhine plain.

On this strip of 1.5-3 km wide, the vineyards of Alsace offer a great diversity of terroirs. In the low mountains, on the sub-Vosges hills or on the plain, it allows the cultivation of different grape varieties, the most emblematic of which are Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Sylvaner.

The region also has the most advantageous climatic conditions. Protected by the Vosges mountains, it is characterised by low rainfall and very hot summers.

The Alsatian grape varieties

Alsatian wines have the particularity of being very often monocépages. This is why their labels generally mention this, alongside the name of the owner and/or the brand. One estate is an exception to this practice: Domaine Marcel Deiss. It favours "complantation" wines, a technique that consists of mixing different grape varieties within the same plot and the same terroir.

Grape varieties are therefore at the heart of Alsace wines. The most emblematic are :

  • Riesling: this is the Alsatian grape variety par excellence. It is used to produce dry and semi-dry white wines, as well as late harvest wines.
  • Gewurztraminer: it produces white wines with a marked character (lychee and rose aromas) and generally more residual sugar, as well as late harvests.
  • Sylvaner: it is used for white wines with varied characters.

In addition to these three grape varieties, there are

  • Pinot blanc, also called klevner
  • Pinot Gris, formerly called Tokay d'Alsace, which is no longer authorised
  • Pinot noir, the only red/rosé grape variety in the region
  • Muscats: muscat blanc à petits grains, muscat rose à petits grains and muscat Ottonel
  • Auxerrois
  • Chardonnay, used only for Crémant d'Alsace

Alsace wines

They can be recognised by their slender bottles, these "flutes" which are synonymous with Alsace wines. These wines all have an AOC and must be bottled in their region of production. White wines are in the majority, but there are also red and rosé wines. Here are some tips for choosing your next Alsatian wines:

  • Riesling, pinot blanc, sylvaner and muscat, for white wines
  • Edelzwicker (or zwicker) and gentil for pleasant blended white wines
  • Pinot gris and gewurztraminer for intense white wines
  • Late harvest" and "Sélection de Grains Nobles" indicate sweet and syrupy white wines
  • Red and rosé wines are sometimes light, sometimes powerful: pinot noir rosé and pinot noir rouge
  • Crémant d'Alsace is a sparkling wine available in white or rosé

The appellations

The Alsace vineyards are divided into three appellations, which produce more than 630 different wines:

  • Alsace wines: they constitute the vast majority of Alsatian wines. The grape variety is mentioned on the label, as well as the brand name and, sometimes, the name of the commune or the locality where it is produced. Edelzwicker is also part of this appellation, although it is a blended wine and not a single variety.
  • Grands crus d'Alsace: 51 of these are grown on the slopes of the Vosges under very strict production rules. Only seven grape varieties are allowed: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscats and Sylvaner. The vintage is indicated on the label, usually alongside the name of the grape variety and the lieu-dit/village. Examples include Zotzenberg, Altenber or Kaefferkopf.
  • Crémants d'Alsace: these sparkling wines represent more than 20% of Alsatian production. They are made according to the traditional Champagne method.

Two mentions come to enrich the Alsatian wine production:

  • Late harvest: the grapes are harvested at the moment of their optimal maturation for a powerful sweet wine, rich in alcohol and sugar.
  • Sélection de grains nobles: the grapes are affected by noble rot, which occurs during very hot summers. The resulting sweet wines have a strong aromatic power.

Le vignoble

Albert Boxler

"Vingt millésimes après son arrivée, Jean Boxler a lentement fait évoluer les réglages pour aujourd'hui vinifier à égalité avec l'élite de l'Alsace. Les vignes sont splendidement situées, aussi bien sur le Sommerberg ou sur le Brand, deux terroirs en riesling. La viticulture est exigeante et soignée, et les élevages adaptés aux vins et aux millésimes. Ici, aucune fausse note, quel que soit le cépage." 5*/5 Bettane+Desseauve

Albert Mann

"La famille Barthelmé est l'une des figures de proue des grands vins d'Alsace. Leurs rieslings font référence, en Schlossberg comme en Furstentum, les Gewurztraminers sont souvent remarquables et les Pinots Noirs sont parmi les plus accomplis de la région, rivalisant régulièrement avec les meilleurs spécialistes bourguignons de la catégorie." 4*/5 Bettane+Desseauve

Marcel Deiss

The Marcel Deiss estate is undoubtedly one of the most exciting estates. Located in Bergheim in the heart of the most beautiful Alsatian terroirs, the family estate now has 27 hectares of vines on 220 separate plots where three Grand Crus and nine Premier Crus are produced each year.

Trapet Alsace

TRAPET ALSACE

Zind-Humbrecht

The Zind-Humbrecht estate, founded in 1959 by the union of the properties of Emile Zind and Zénon Humbrecht, has succeeded in becoming one of the leading French estates over the last few decades. Wine lovers all over the world recognise the exceptional quality of the terroirs and the work of the visionary Olivier Humbrecht, who succeeds in creating the finest Alsatian nuggets year after year.

Laurent Barth