In
the course of history Alsace has sometimes been part of Germany,
sometimes France, and its wines have characteristics in common with
other wines in both countries. Now definitively part of France, it is
one of its smallest wine-producing regions, but the wines are almost the
world’s finest. This is a fascinating region to explore, visiting
attractive villages and vineyards between Strasbourg and Mulhouse,
tasting vin d’Alsace (Alsace wine) as you go.
The great wines of Alsace
Most of the Alsace wine is white, with distinctive aromative flavours.
About three-quarters of the wine produced in the region is Appellation
d’origine contrôlée (AOC), and much of this French wine is, like German
wines, made from single grape varieties, notably Reisling, which
produces a fine dry french wine comparable with the Reislings of Germany
and Austria. The Sylvaner grape is orginally from Austria but has been
grown for many years in Alsace. It produces a fresh and delicate white
wine with a light-green tinge which is a good accompaniment for fish and
shellfish. Particularly popular on the export market for alsace wine is
the strongly aromatic Gewürztraminer, which is good to drink with spicy
Asian food. About a quarter of the wine produced in this region is
exported, especially to the United States as well as other European
countries, including Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands as well as
neighbouring Germany.
Dessert wines of exceptional quality from Alsace
There are a number of fine french wines made from grapes picked when
they are over-ripe and have developed botrytis cinerea (noble rot). The
high natural sugar content ensures the production of dessert wines of
character. The grapes are hand-picked to ensure maximum quality. The
relatively low rainfall and good record of sunshine in the Alsace region
in the late autumn favour the production of these designated “vendages
tardives” and “sélection de grains nobles” wines from
Gewürztraminer,Pinot Gris, Riesling or Muscat grapes.
A wine-tasting holiday in Alsace
Combining sight-seeing with visits to vineyards and wineries makes for a
fascinating holiday for the wine-lover. Travel between the Vosges
mountains and the river Rhine south from the cosmopolitan city of
Strasbourg down the 120 kilometres of the Route des Vins, pausing to
explore villages of half-timbered houses such as Riquewhir, known as the
pearl of the vineyards. Visit producers where you will be able to taste
french wines of the region, and purchase bottles of those you like best
to take home and enjoy.