With 15 600 hectares of vineyards, the Alsace wine region is renowned for its production of exceptional white wines. With its semi-continental climate, varied soils, and magnificent vineyard landscapes sheltered by the Vosges Massif, it indeed offers a unique terroir, ideal for cultivating many white grape varieties.
Among all the grape varieties in the Alsace vineyard, 4 stand out and are considered noble, allowing the creation of the finest wines and being the only ones authorized (with rare exceptions) to be planted on the 51 Grand Cru classified plots in the region.
Riesling
Riesling is without a doubt the most iconic noble grape variety of Alsace. It produces white wines with beautiful acidity and great finesse. Riesling-based wines regularly display notes of citrus, white flowers, peach, as well as a distinct mineral character. The preferred terroirs for this grape variety are schist and granite soils, and on the finest of these, it can enjoy a magnificent aging potential.
It should also be noted that Riesling alone accounts for 21% of the region's vineyards and has an exceptional ability to reflect its terroir. Furthermore, it is almost exclusively vinified on its own but can also be used in blends for crémants, for example.
If you want to discover the finest aspects of Riesling, don't hesitate to turn to those from the Barmès-Buecher estates (notably the sublime Grand Cru Hengst), Boehler (Riesling Holderhurst) or Mittnacht Frères (Riesling Muehlforst or Grand Cru Rosacker), you won't be disappointed!
The Gewurztraminer
The Gewurztraminer is also very present in Alsace as it represents 20% of the vineyard. After Riesling, it is probably the best-known grape variety of the region and is also one of the four noble grape varieties of Alsace.
This one is capable of producing dry wines but also off-dry, mellow, and sweet wines. Its substance exudes opulence and generosity while its aromatic profile is of rare expressiveness. Indeed, it is a variety that is easily identified thanks to markers such as lychee, mango, pineapple, rose, as well as certain sweet spices. The terroirs favorable to Gewurztraminer are generally clay-limestone and marl.
Just like Riesling, it is capable of long aging when it comes from great terroirs, such as the Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Steingrubler from Domaine Barmès-Buecher.
Pinot Gris
Originally from Burgundy, Pinot Gris, formerly known as Tokay (now prohibited since the official recognition of the eponymous Hungarian sweet wines), is a grape variety with beautiful pink berries that can be vinified from dry to sweet. In practice, it often contains residual sugar because it is very receptive to noble rot and benefits from being harvested overripe (Late Harvest, Selection of Noble Berries).
It represents 16% of the Alsatian vineyard and can give rise to wines of incredible richness and power, offering a full-bodied texture as well as aromas of pear, apricot, honey, and spices.
Muscat
It is the 4th noble grape variety of the region and although it represents only 4% of the Alsatian vineyard, Muscat also holds a prominent place in the region.
Unlike the Muscats from Languedoc-Roussillon or the Rhône Valley, Muscat from Alsace is most often vinified dry and therefore generally does not contain residual sugar. Nevertheless, its aromatic fragrance and indulgente is always present : notes of fresh grapes, dates, as well as elegant floral aromas make it easy to identify.
PS : when we talk about Muscat in Alsace, we are actually referring to two varieties : Muscat d’Alsace "à petits grains" and Muscat Ottonel.
In addition to these four noble grape varieties, Alsace also has other interesting varieties.
Pinot Blanc offers, for example, light and fresh white wines, exuding aromas of green apple and white flowers. It is often used in the region's crémants and brings roundness. This grape is very present in Alsace as it is planted as much as Riesling (21% of the vineyard) !
Sylvaner is another white grape variety found in Alsace. Once very widespread, it now represents only 5% of the vineyard. It is a variety that allows the production of dry and light white wines, expressing notes of citrus and fresh herbs.
Finally, although white grape varieties make up the majority of the Alsace vineyard (90%), the remaining 10% are planted with a red variety : Pinot Noir. In the region, this grape produces light to medium-bodied red wines with delicate aromas of red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, as well as floral and spicy notes.
Other grape varieties such as Pinot Auxerrois, Chasselas, and Klevener de Heiligenstein (Savagnin rose) are also present in the region, contributing to the great viticultural richness of Alsace.
Conclusion
You now know the 4 noble grape varieties of Alsace as well as the other main varieties of the region.All that remains now is to put theory into practice ! And for that, do not hesitate to call on La Cave Éclairée who will be happy to guide you in your choices.
Cheers !
