Alsace - Level 2
Grand Cru Varietals and Sites in Alsace
Alsace Grand Cru is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for wines made in specific vineyard parcels in the Alsace wine region of France. The Grand Cru AOC was recognized in 1975 by the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine Contrôlées (INAO). There are currently 51 Grand Cru vineyards in Alsace, located on the sun-drenched slopes of the Vosges Mountains.
Grape Varieties
The only grape varieties allowed in Alsace Grand Cru wines are Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat. Riesling is the most widely planted grape variety in Alsace, and it is known for its ability to produce wines of great finesse and complexity.
Gewürztraminer is another popular grape variety known for its spicy, aromatic wines. Pinot Gris is a versatile grape variety that can be made into both dry and sweet wines, while Muscat is a sweet grape variety known for its floral aromas.
Known for producing elegant, complex, and age-worthy wines.
Notable vineyards include Trimbach Clos Ste Hune and Zind-Humbrecht Clos Häuser. Domine Weinbach Clos des Capucins
Required Sugar Levels for Special Wines
Grands crus and Alsace AOC wines can add "Vendange tardive" or "Sélection de grains nobles" to their labels. Only the four 'noble' grape varieties are suitable for producing these wines.
Vendange Tardive does not require either sweet fruit or fruit affected by botrytis. Low sugar levels at harvest typically result in an alcohol content of 14%-15% abv if fermented dry. By contrast, Sélection de grains nobles must be made from botrytis-affected grapes and be sweet.
Muscat or Riesling VT = 235 g/L. SG= 276 g/L
Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer VT= 257 g/L SG 306 g/L
Gentil vs. Edelzwicker
Gentil: A high-quality blend requiring at least 50% noble grape varieties (Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer). The rest may include Sylvaner, Chasselas, or Pinot Blanc. All grapes are vinified separately and must meet AOC Alsace quality standards. Gentil wines undergo expert panel tasting before sale.
Edelzwicker: A more generic blend with no minimum noble grape requirement. It can include any AOC Alsace-approved varietals, vinified together or separately, without the necessity of expert panel approval before sale.
Principal Producers and Notable Sites
Zind-Humbrecht:
Trimbach:
Hugel:
Domaine Weinbach:
Domaine Schlumberger:
Crémant d'Alsace: Production Styles and Grapes
Varietals: Primarily made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Auxerrois.
Styles: Includes brut, extra brut, demi-sec, and doux.
Additional Information
Unique Sylvaner Use: Alsace is the only French wine region permitted to use the Sylvaner grape variety.
Late-Harvest Wines: Known for late-harvest wines made from overripe grapes.
This guide covers the key aspects of Alsace's Grand Cru vineyards, including the prominent varietals, specific sites, production yields, sugar requirements for special wines, notable producers, Crémant production styles, and unique features of the region. This comprehensive overview should provide a deeper understanding of Alsace's renowned wine offerings and the region's distinctive characteristics.
