Alsace Wines
Alsace wines are characterized by the production of outstanding white wines. It is the first wine country in France that names the grape variety on the label and uses it as a "style", a strategy that any region in France used until the global market demand itself at the beginning of the new century (mainly the new world market demand).
With a surface area of 15,500 hectares of vineyards and 90% of the production is destined for white wines.
There are 53 appellations of Origin in Alsace, 70% under the AOC Alsace, 25% as Crémant d'Alsace and 5% as AOC Grand Cru (51 AOC).
The authorized grape varieties are:
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat d'Alsace
Pinot Blanc
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
The first 4 grapes are considered "noble varieties" for the quality of the wines they produce and they are the only ones authorized for the production of wines with denomination of origin "Grand Cru" (with some exceptions).
The only authorized red grape is Pinot Noir, which produces both red and rosé wines in the region. Undoubtedly, the emblematic grape of Alsace is the Riesling which represents 21.2% of the area planted with vineyards. The style of the Riesling in Alsace is very different from that of the American continent, since the Alsatian wines are bone-dry, with a long acidity and a mineral aftertaste. On the other hand, there is the Pinot Gris, which, although it is the same variety as the Pinot Grigio, in Alsace produces rich, intense and very aromatic wines that are the best companion of Alsatian foie gras.
One of our favorite grape is Gewurztraminer that we consider "perfumed and exotic" by the aromas of rose petals, lychees, and sweet spices, it is one of the favorites to accompany the dessert or a plate of cheeses (Munster obviously).
In addition to this great variety of wines, there are the mentions "Vendanges Tardives" and "Selection of Grains Nobles" that respond to wines with an important content of sugar that make them sweet and lushly, or the "Crémant d'Alsace" which are wines high quality sparkling wines, although these styles and mentions will be the pretext for another post.
Fuente: CIVA
