Alsace – Home of the Noble Grape

Most wines are labeled with the grape variety of the wine - a rule which makes Alsace unique amongst French regions - and by law this means the entire content of the bottle should be from that one variety. Other label terms include "Grand Cru" (Great Growth) - there are 50 vineyards that have been given this status in Alsace by the A.O.C. (Appéllation d'Origine Controlée) and by law they must only grow one of four noble grapes (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris or Muscat) to a certain restricted yield (to maintain quality). Other label terms of quality include "Reservee", "Cru" or other names of historical or proprietary significance, which the consumer will recognize and associate with an established reputation of quality. Alsace bottles are also physically recognizable - they are long, tall and slim, traditionally named "la flute du Rhin" which means "the flute of the Rhine"- which is an apt and pretty description!

There are a couple of legal exceptions to the rules in Alsace. Firstly, the wine labeled "Edelzwicker" or "Noble Blend" which would be more than one noble grape in content and also a wine labeled "Gentil" by the producers Hugel. Also "Crémant d'Alsace" which is sparkling wine produced with the "Methode Champénoise" i.e. the traditional method used to make sparkling wine in Champagne, France.

So, Alsace wines are quite recognizable and an extremely pleasurable experience for a lover of white wine. Here are some great wine producers to look out for next time you visit the wine store:

Meyer-Fonné: A good selection of all the noble grapes; including a couple of specialty wines, the Edelzwicker (Edelzwicker Alsace Katzenthal) and Crémant (Extra Brut Crémant d'Alsace).

F.E. Trembach: Again several noble grapes.

Domaine Marcel Deiss: Great Gewurtztraminer! (Gewurztraminer Alsace Bergheim, also Grand Cru & Vendanges Tardives)

Hugel: Producers of unique AOC Alsace wine called Alsace Gentil. Also great Gewurztraminer and Tokay-Pinot Gris. Also uses the label term "Jubilée Réserve Personelle".

Domain Zind Humbrecht: Excellent but pricey variety of noble grape wine - especially Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Riesling. Produced a well-received Chardonnay in 1993, very unusual!

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