Wine Regions of France – Alsace

The vineyards of Alsace, are situated on a narrow strip of land between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine River (the border with Germany). The Vosges form a rain shadow, so the region is among the driest in France. The northern section of Alsace is called the Bas-Rhin (lower Rhine), the southern section the Haut-Rhin (upper Rhine)

Alsace produces world-class dry Riesling, highly aromatic Gewürztraminer, and spicy, full-bodied Pinot Gris. Alsatian wines were traditionally dry, but recently there has been a trend to produce sweeter late harvest wines.

Alsace is the one part of France where wines are traditionally labeled as single varietals. Alsatian wines are bottled in the traditional tall narrow Alsace flute.

Fifty-one vineyard sites merit the ranking of AOC Alsace Grand Cru.

The Crémant d’Alsace AOC applies to sparkling wines.