1st September 2023 | Cork Talk | 3 minute read
Nestled in the northeast of France, the enchanting region of Alsace is a wine lover’s paradise. Known for its stunning beauty and world-class wine production, it has heaps to offer, particularly for those who enjoy a clean and crisp white. We’ve managed to narrow down all that Alsace has to offer to five key reasons why it’s a region that should be on your radar.
White wine lovers, listen up! One of the many reasons we’re big fans of this fine French region is because of the diversity it brings when it comes to white wine. Although Riesling may be the king of grapes in Alsace, there are plenty of other grapes grown in abundance that all offer something different.
Outside of Riesling, the main white grape varieties are Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sylvaner and Muscat. Ranging from light-bodied and aromatic, to rich and intensely fruity, there’s a white wine to suit every palate.
Not only is Alsace a white-wine powerhouse, it’s a region that also produces a diverse selection of red, rosé and sparkling wines. In fact, production of sparkling wine, or Crémant d’Alsace as it’s known, is increasing rapidly. Only produced using the traditional sparkling wine method, these wines are an exceptional alternative to other famous French fizz, and offer great value too. With plenty of fresh fruit on the nose and palate, Crémant d’Alsace makes an ideal aperitif, and tastes especially good in the sunshine.
As the second driest wine-producing region in France, Alsace boasts a rich and varied viticultural history that dates back centuries. Sat at the foothills of the Vosges mountains, the wine growing area is in a succession of rolling hills ranging from 550 to 1,800 feet in altitude, meaning temperatures fluctuate somewhat across the region. Most vineyards in Alsace face south and south east where they can bask in the sun’s rays, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and retain their acidity and elegant aromas.
Soil types here are also inimitably diverse with a mosaic of different styles, from granite-rich to volcanic and sandstone. This adds to the complexity of the region and is one of the main reasons why so many different grape varieties thrive here. Coupled with its continental climate of long, hot summers and crisp, cold winters, these growing conditions create the optimum environment for grapes to flourish.
Above all else, Alsace is a region that produces wines of excellent quality and taste. Quality is regulated by an appellation system, which means wines here have to be produced in accordance with certain rules and regulations.
The broadest appellation is Alsace AOC, which accounts for 71% of wine production and requires no less than 100% of the grape variety labelled to be used. The rules that winemakers are required to follow under this AOC mean quality can be guaranteed in every single bottle.
Crémant d’Alsace AOC accounts for 25% of production here and is the fastest growing AOC in Alsace, creating exceptional sparkling wine. With winemakers required to follow rules comparable to those found in the Champagne region, Crémant d’Alsace wines really are something special.
The final AOC is Alsace Grand Cru, which accounts for 4% of production. There are 51 grand cru plots found in Alsace, and they’re deemed to be the ultimate wine-growing spots with the perfect harmony of good terroir, location and climate. Here, winemakers create the best of the best when it comes to Alsatian wine and are required to follow the strictest of guidelines. These wines are therefore of the highest quality and offer an exceptional palate that’s typically rich, honeyed and age-worthy.
Regardless of which AOC a wine is classified as, you can guarantee a bottle of Alsatian wine is always going to hit the spot and impress guests. With their signature aromatics and freshness, Alsatian wines have a certain finesse about them that really makes them stand out from the crowd.
If you haven’t yet been convinced that Alsatian wine is a true hero of the wine world, then we have yet another reason why this needs to change. Thanks to the region’s diversity, Alsatian wine can be paired with a whole host of cuisines and dishes, from starters through to desserts. So, whether you’re cooking up a rich, hearty meat-based dish, a spicy vegetable curry or looking for the perfect match for your chocolatey dessert, you’re bound to find an Alsatian wine to suit.
Don’t be afraid to experiment when it comes to picking wine to pair with your dish. Alsatian wine is wonderfully versatile, making it pretty difficult to go wrong! Just match the body of the wine to the weight of the dish and you’ll be on to a winner.
And last, but by no means least, arguably the biggest reason to love this region is the passionate, hardworking winemakers who dedicate their lives to making exceptional wine for us to enjoy. With winemaking being a skill often passed down through the generations, most of the winemakers here were picking grapes before they could even talk (well, that’s not strictly true, but you get the idea). In fact, some winemaking families in Alsace go as far back as 14 generations!
Winemakers in Alsace work hard to express themselves by putting their own stamp on the wines they produce, all whilst respecting the region and its guidelines to ensure top-notch quality is always met. They really are the stars of the show when it comes to Alsatian wine, and their skills shine through in every glass.
If you’ve been inspired to give Alsatian wine a try then, luckily for you, we’ve put together some 12-bottle cases that showcase what Alsace has to offer. Check them out below.
