Alsace, on France's German border, is unique for its aromatic, varietally-labelled, mostly dry white wines. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat are the four 'noble' grapes, grown on a patchwork of soils beneath the Vosges mountains in one of France's sunniest, driest climates. The wines are pure, perfumed and full-flavoured, from racy dry Riesling to opulent Gewürztraminer and lush late-harvest styles.
Structure
| Body | Sheltered by the Vosges, Alsace ripens its grapes fully while keeping aromatic intensity. Most wines are dry, though sweetness varies by producer; Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles are richly sweet. Fifty-one Grand Cru sites mark the finest terroirs. Tall, fluted bottles and grape-name labels are signatures. |
|---|---|
| Acidity | Medium to high, depending on grape. |
| Tannin | None (white). |
| Finish | Long and aromatic, with stone fruit, citrus and spice. |
| Aroma | Lime, peach, lychee, rose, ginger and honey. |
Serving: 9–12°C (48–54°F). · Decanting: None needed.
Alsace drinking window
| Tier | Drinking window |
|---|---|
| Everyday | Drink within 1–4 years. |
| Premium / Grand Cru | Best 3–12 years. |
| Vendange Tardive / SGN | 10–30 years. |
| Vintage | Drinking window |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Drinking well now. |
| 2019 | Hold to 2031. |
| 2021 | Drink now to 2033. |
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Alsace — questions answered
Are Alsace wines sweet or dry?
Most are dry, but sweetness varies by producer and grape; Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles are deliberately sweet.
Why does Alsace label by grape?
Unusually for France, Alsace names the variety on the label — Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris or Muscat — like the New World.
What are the noble grapes of Alsace?
Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat — the only grapes permitted for Grand Cru wines.
What food pairs with Alsace wine?
Pork, charcuterie, Munster cheese and spicy Asian dishes — Gewürztraminer especially loves bold, spicy flavours.