Guide to Alsace Wine: 10 Best Wines (2024), Terroir, Appellations, Styles

The Alsace region with its fairytale-like vineyards is known for its elegant Riesling wines, luscious Gewurztraminer wines, sweet Selection de Grains Nobles, and other delicious wine styles.

While most of the labels from this French wine region are single grape varietal ones, you’ll also come across enchanting blends, like the Muscat d'Alsace and Pinot d'Alsace.

Let's take a tour of the enchanting Alsace wine region, exploring its unique terroir and 10 stunning Alsace wines. We'll uncover Alsace's famous appellations and wine styles, the best foods to pair with them, and will even look at the investment potential of Alsace wines.

More About The Alsace Wine Region

The Alsace wine region is situated in north-eastern France, bordering Germany and Switzerland. It has the Champagne and Burgundy regions to the west and Savoie and Jura regions to the south.

While the Alsace wine route is famous for its irresistible cuisine, fascinating culture, and enchanting villages, this French wine region is most famous for its breathtaking vineyards.

The Terroir Of The Alsace Wine Region

The westside Vosges mountains and the eastside Rhine river influence the Alsace region's terroir. 

Its beautiful vineyards lie on the slopes of the Vosges, enjoying abundant sun exposure, the right temperature, and low rainfall. This semi-continental climate ensures that the grapes ripen slowly, giving the Alsatian wines an acidic finesse and elegant aromas.

Soils of the Alsace region are inimitably diverse - some are granite-rich, while others are primarily composed of schist, limestone, marl, clay, gneiss, or solids of volcanic origin.

Want to uncover the best Alsatian wines to get your hands on?

10 Elegant Alsace Wines To Buy In 2024

Here are ten stunning Alsace wines that deserve to be a part of your collection:

1. 1996 F E Trimbach Riesling Clos Sainte Hune
2. 2017 Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Selection de Grains Nobles
3. 2005 Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Altenbourg Quintessence de Grains Nobles
4. 2005 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Mambourg Quintessence de Grains Nobles Cuvee d'Or
5. 2005 Domaine Marcel Deiss Gewurztraminer 'La Quintessence' Selection de Grains Nobles
6. 2002 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenbourg Selection de Grains Nobles
7. 2009 Domaine Marcel Deiss Altenberg de Bergheim
8. 2014 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain
9. 2009 Trimbach Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile
10. 2006 Hugel & Fils Gentil

1. 1996 F E Trimbach Riesling Clos Sainte Hune ($1028)

This Alsace Grand Cru Riesling reveals apple, peach, and apricot flavors in harmony with bracing acidity on the palate. The nose of this wine has a robust quality, with notes of pineapple and petrol.

2. 2017 Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Selection de Grains Nobles ($825)

A bouquet of Victorian pineapple, melon, and apricot greets the nose. Pure and luscious on the palate, this Alsatian Riesling presents hints of jasmine and crushed rocks, ending with a vibrant finish.

3. 2005 Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Altenbourg Quintessence de Grains Nobles ($574)

This wine has an elegant nose dominated by spice, lemon peel, and peach aromas. Its palate is vibrant and sweet, showcasing notes of orange and honey with brown spice undertones.

4. 2005 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Mambourg Quintessence de Grains Nobles Cuvee d'Or ($454)

This Gewurztraminer has a refreshing palate with citrusy notes and a refined finish. On the nose, the Alsatian wine unveils rose petal and litchi aromas.

5. 2005 Domaine Marcel Deiss Gewurztraminer 'La Quintessence' Selection de Grains Nobles ($398)

The wine offers an irresistible bouquet of pomegranate seed and grated mango aromas accompanied by graphite notes. Its palate is complex and has a great concentration.

6. 2002 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenbourg Selection de Grains Nobles ($234)

This wine has a concentrated and elegant palate packed with fruit and rose flavors. It has a beautiful nose offering decadent aromas of clover honey and tropical fruit.

7. 2009 Domaine Marcel Deiss Altenberg de Bergheim ($91)

A dense and harmonious Grand Cru wine offering deep fruitiness, minerality, and raspberry flavors. The nose is fragrant with orange liqueur, spices, and citrus zest aromas.

8. 2014 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain ($83)

An intense nose featuring peaty and burnt herb aromas characterizes this extraordinary Alsace Riesling. The dry wine has a saline texture and ample acidity, leading up to an austere finish.

9. 2009 Trimbach Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile ($65)

The Alsace Grand Cru Riesling has a captivating nose of sage, white pepper, and huckleberry. It has a dense and structured palate, exhibiting tangerine, quince, and alkaline flavors.

10. 2006 Hugel & Fils Gentil ($60)

A spicy and floral nose with hints of lemon peel and green apple skin. Wine tasting reveals an oily and round palate featuring citrus, butter, and juicy pear flavors.

So, what foods go well with these Alsace wine bottles?

The Best Food Pairings With Alsace Wines

Alsace wines pair well with beef, duck, game meats, cold meats, and foie gras.

With vegetable dishes, you can pair a glass of Alsatian Muscat d'Alsace or Pinot Blanc. 

If you're looking for the perfect accompaniments to your cheeseboard, consider getting hold of Gewurztraminer or Pinot Gris wines. 

And for desserts, choose a bottle of Gewurztraminer or Vendange Tardive to harmonize the sugar and acidity.

Now, here’s a big question:

Are Alsatian wines worth investing in for the long-term?

Investing In Alsace Wines

Alsatian wines are a favorite among investors for their steady price appreciation and critical acclaim.

• The price of a bottle of 1996 F E Trimbach Riesling Clos Sainte Hune Grand Cru wine went up by an impressive 57% between 2020 and 2021 to $1028.
• Between 2019 and 2021, the 2005 Domaine Marcel Deiss Gewurztraminer 'La Quintessence' Selection de Grains Nobles appreciated in value by around 51% to $375.

The wines of Alsace also earn excellent scores from critics. Wine critic Robert Parker gave the 1994 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Selection de Grains Nobles Trie Speciale an impressive 99 points.

If you're looking for a hassle-free way to invest in promising wines, look no further. 

With a reliable and reputed online wine investment company like Vinovest, you can easily buy, sell, and store investment-grade Alsace wines.

Now, here’s a bit more about Alsace’s wine appellations, wine styles, and a bit of its history.

Alsace Wine Appellations

The wines of Alsace are produced under three appellations:

• Alsace: The Alsace AOC accounts for 74% of the region's wine production, including white wine, red wine, and rose wine varieties. When Alsace winemakers produce blends under the AOC Alsace, they typically use the labels “Edelzwicker” or “Gentil”. Alternatively, an Alsace winemaker can use a made-up or fantasy name for the blend.
• Cremant d'Alsace: Although the Cremant d'Alsace AOC consists of only two sparkling wine styles, it makes up 22% of the region's wine production. The Cremant d'Alsace AOC includes a rose wine (100% Pinot Noir) and a sparkling wine made with Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Auxxerois.
• Alsace Grand Cru: The 51 plots of the Alsace Grand Cru AOC only account for 4% of the wine production in the region. The plots under the Grand Cru appellation can only produce single grape varietal or blended wines using the four Noble Grapes of Alsace - Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, and Gewurztraminer.

Alsace Wine Styles

The Alsace wine region features diverse wine styles ranging from dry white wines to sparkling rose wines. Here are 10 prominent wine styles of Alsace, including their taste profiles and characteristics: 

1. Riesling

Riesling is the most loved wine style in Alsace. On the palate, this dry wine is lively yet refined, offering a long and balanced aftertaste. It has a brilliant nose combining delicate floral and fruity aromas with mineral notes.

2. Gewurztraminer

Gewurztraminer is an exceptionally expressive white French wine known for its enchanting bouquet of lychee, acacia, and cinnamon. This sweet wine variety boasts a full-bodied, round, and off-dry palate that woos you into submission.

3. Pinot Gris

Opulent and deep-colored, Pinot Gris is a rich and beautifully structured white wine. While Alsatian Pinot Gris wines are not very aromatic, these exceptional wines present a delicate bouquet featuring fruity and smoky notes.

4. Sylvaner

Sylvaner wines are full-bodied yet lean on the palate, with light floral notes and fruit flavors. On the nose, this white wine variety offers hints of earth and smoke.

5. Pinot Blanc

Alsace Pinot Blanc, also known as Klevner, is a white wine with a delicate yet well-rounded palate. A bottle of Alsace Pinot Blanc presents an extraordinary bouquet characterized by almond aromas, with undertones of spice and smoke.

6. Pinot Noir

Alsace's only red grape variety, Pinot Noir, produces charming red wine and lovely rose varieties. The Alsatian Pinot Noir wines exhibit raspberry and cherry aromas alongside a pleasant palate with supple tannins and excellent structure.

7. Selection de Grains Nobles

This noble rot Alsatian wine is made from grapes affected by the botrytis fungus. Its palate has a honeyed character with a long finish. The nose showcases complex aromas dominated by notes of noble rot and candied (or cooked) fruits.

8. Vendange Tardive

Vendange Tardive is a sweet wine produced from Alsace's four noble grape varieties (Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris). Its nose offers dried fruit aromas alongside hints of quince and caramel. The palate is typically concentrated and silky with a voluptuous finish.

9. Muscat d'Alsace

The powerful fragrance of the Muscat d'Alsace grapes dominates this wine. These exceptional wines have a fresh palate complemented by beautiful roundness and a long finish.

10. Pinot d'Alsace

This unique white wine is made from Alsatian Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc grape varieties. The palate is satiny with white fruit flavors. On the nose, the wine unveils notes of orange peel, lemon, and peach.

In case you’re curious about the origins of winemaking in this region, here’s a quick flashback:

A Brief History Of The Alsace Wine Region

Governance in the Alsace region has changed hands several times over the centuries, alternating between France and Germany. 

Although Alsace wines were initially sold with German wines, the two wine styles diverged during World War II. Around the same time, the quality of wines improved, so the Alsace region was awarded the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée status.

In recent decades, the Alsace vineyard surface area has gone up, while France's total vineyard surface area has decreased. Meanwhile, the percentage of vineyards dedicated to growing the Pinot Gris grape variety increased from 4% to 15%, while the area of Sylvaner grapes grown in the region went down.

It’s Time To Add An Irresistible Alsace Wine To Your Collection!

An underrated treasure of the wine world, the Alsace wine region is home to stunning white wine, luscious rose, and exquisite sparkling wine varieties. 

To get your hands on authentic Alsatian wines, you can use a trusted online wine investment company like Vinovest. 

Their world-class wine experts will source, authenticate, buy, and store your wines. And if you're looking to sell a bottle of your Alsace wine at a handsome profit, they can help find the right buyers for you and deliver it to them.