Alsace
Alsace sits in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains on the German border, and its wines reflect both heritages. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat — the four noble grapes — are bottled mostly as varietals, with the producer's stylistic choice driving sweetness more than the label. The Grand Cru system names individual vineyards, and Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles mark dessert tiers.
Signature grapes
Defining styles
Famous appellations
- Grand Cru (51 named lieux-dits)
History
The region passed between French and German control multiple times through the 19th and 20th centuries, leaving a bilingual culture and Germanic grape mix. Postwar France granted the Alsace AOC in 1962 and the Grand Cru tier in 1975. The 21st century has seen a steady move toward drier styles, though label clarity around residual sugar remains uneven.