Specific villages with Grand Cru and Clos sites.
Alsace, a region renowned for its rich winemaking heritage, saw a significant milestone in 1975 with the Alsace Grand Cru status proposal. T
This classification, aimed at distinguishing the most exceptional vineyards, came to fruition in 1983, marking a new era in Alsatian viticulture.
Historical Evolution Grand Cru
The journey began in 1983 with 25 vineyards earning the prestigious Grand Cru designation. This number expanded to 50 by 1985, reflecting the region's commitment to quality and excellence. A notable addition came in 2006, including Kaefferkopf, bringing the total to 51 illustrious sites.
Grape Varieties and Blending Exceptions:
Alsace Grand Cru wines are traditionally single varietal, primarily from the four noble grapes: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and Muscat. However, exceptions exist in Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf, where blending is permitted under specific proportions.
For instance, Altenberg de Bergheim can blend Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer with a small percentage of Muscat varieties. At the same time, Kaefferkopf predominantly uses Gewürztraminer with portions of Riesling and Pinot Gris.
Unique Vineyards and Clos:
Alsace Grand Cru vineyards like Kessler, Schlossberg, and Geisberg are notable for their distinctive terroirs and wine styles. The region also boasts several 'clos' vineyards, such as Clos des Capucins and Clos Häuserer, which are historically owned by single families, adding a layer of personal heritage to their wines.
Clos des Capucins (Kaysersberg, Domaine Weinbach)
A historic walled vineyard of 5 hectares is located at the foot of the Schlossberg hill in Kaysersberg.
The Clos des Capucins is known for its Riesling and Pinot Gris wines, characterized by their minerality, complexity, and aging potential.
The vineyard has been owned by the Domaine Weinbach estate since 1612.
Clos de la Faille (Wintzenheim, Albert Mann)
Biodynamic. 100% Pinot Noir
Clos Häuserer (Wintzenheim, Zind-Humbrecht)
A 1.2-hectare vineyard located in the village of Wintzenheim.
The vineyard has been owned by the Zind-Humbrecht estate since 1761.
Clos Himmelreich (Orschwihr, Lucien Albrecht)
A 2.5-hectare vineyard located in the village of Orschwihr.
The Clos Himmelreich is known for its Riesling wines, characterized by their minerality, purity, and aging potential.
The vineyard has been owned by the Lucien Albrecht estate since 1912.
Clos Jebsal (Turckheim, Zind-Humbrecht)
A 1.8-hectare vineyard located in the village of Turckheim.
The Clos Jebsal is known for its Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines, characterized by their power, structure, and long aging potential.
The vineyard has been owned by the Zind-Humbrecht estate since 1872.
Clos Rebberg (Andlau, Marc Kreydenweiss)
A 2-hectare vineyard located in the village of Andlau.
The Clos Rebberg is known for its Pinot Gris wines, characterized by their richness, concentration, and long aging potential.
The vineyard has been owned by the Marc Kreydenweiss estate since 1960.
Clos Rebgarten (Andlau, Marc Kreydenweiss)
A 1.5-hectare vineyard located in the village of Andlau.
The Clos Rebgarten is known for its Riesling wines, characterized by their minerality, finesse, and aging potential.
The vineyard has been owned by the Marc Kreydenweiss estate since 1959.
Clos des Récollets (Rouffach, Lucien Albrecht)
A 1.5-hectare vineyard located in the village of Rouffach.
The Clos des Récollets is known for its Pinot Gris wines, characterized by their richness, concentration, and long aging potential.
The vineyard has been owned by the Lucien Albrecht estate since 1985.
Clos Ribeaupierre (Ribeauvillé, Jean Sipp)
A 2.5-hectare vineyard located in the village of Ribeauvillé.
The Clos Ribeaupierre is known for its Riesling wines, characterized by their elegance, minerality, and aging potential.
The vineyard has been owned by the Jean Sipp estate since 1989.
Clos Windsbuhl (Hunawihr, Zind-Humbrecht)
A 2-hectare vineyard located in the village of Hunawihr.
The Clos Windsbuhl is known for its Riesling wines, characterized by their minerality, complexity, and aging potential.
The vineyard has been owned by the Zind-Humbrecht estate since 1789.
Rigorous Standards: Grand Cru wines are subject to stringent standards, including compulsory hand-harvesting, higher minimum sugar levels at harvest, and restricted yields. These regulations ensure a consistent quality, setting Grand Cru wines apart from their Alsace AOC counterparts.
The Role of Pinot Noir: In the Alsace AOC, Pinot Noir stands out as the sole red grape variety, producing light red and rosé wines. These wines gain complexity and depth in warmer vintages and are occasionally used in the Crémant d’Alsace blend.
Crémant d’Alsace: Unique to the region, Crémant d’Alsace is the only appellation that allows Chardonnay, alongside Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Auxerrois. The sparkling wines from this appellation have carved out a significant market share, showcasing the versatility of Alsace's wine production.
Marc d'Alsace
Marc d'Alsace is a distinguished eau-de-vie from the Alsace wine region of northeastern France, known for its clarity and unique character. It is exclusively made from the marc (pomace) of grapes grown within the Alsace appellation boundaries.
The spirit stands out due to its AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) status, granted solely to eaux-de-vie produced from Gewurztraminer marc. This designation ensures the spirit’s authenticity and adherence to strict regional and quality standards, making Marc d'Alsace a true representation of Alsace's rich viticultural heritage.
Clos Sainte Hune and Riesling “Cuvée Frédéric Emile": A Legacy of Excellence by Trimbach
Trimbach, synonymous with Alsace's winemaking legacy, proudly owns the historic Clos Sainte Hune, a 1.67-hectare monopole within the Rosacker Grand Cru. This revered plot, home to over 50-year-old vines rooted in limestone soils, has been under the Trimbach family's stewardship for over two centuries.
Complementing this is their Riesling “Cuvée Frédéric Emile," a distinguished blend from the Geisberg and Osterberg Grand Crus, named in honor of Frédéric Emile Trimbach. His efforts in 1898 significantly elevated the estate’s reputation, ensuring a benchmark of quality and authenticity that continues to define Trimbach wines.
Albert Boxler Winery: A Blend of Tradition and Terroir in Alsace
Nestled in Niedermorschwier, a quaint municipality in Alsace, France, lies the distinguished Albert Boxler Winery. This winery, rich in family heritage, has been a part of the Boxler family lineage since 1673, showcasing a deep-rooted tradition in winemaking.
Since 1995, Jean Boxler has skillfully managed the business, maintaining its legacy while infusing modern winemaking techniques. Remarkably, the winery prioritizes using its own grapes, with 80% sourced from the esteemed Alsace Grand Cru sites of Brand and Sommerberg.
Albert Boxler Winery is renowned for cultivating an array of white wine varieties, including Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Muscat d'Alsace, and Silvaner. A key to their unique wine character is the spontaneous fermentation process, utilizing the vineyard's indigenous yeasts, which authentically express their terroir in every bottle.
