Alsace

The wine growing area in Alsace is situated on the east side of Vosges, in two departments : Bas Rhin in the North and Haut Rhin in the South.
This vine area benefits from a particular microclimate. The mountains of Vosges act as a natural shield against all kinds of weather (winds, rainfall). The pluviometry is one of the most feeble in France. The soil offers a very varied assortment of rocks (granite, limestone, gneiss, schist, sandstone...). The vine area is around 37065 acres.

Main grape varieties

White grape varieties

Common white grape varieties : Sylaner (lively and vigorous wine), Pinot Blanc or Klevner (balanced and vigorous wine).

Noble white grape varieties : Muscat d'Alsace (gives a very aromatic wine)
Pinot Gris (heady, full-bodied and round dry white wine).
Riesling, which gives a dry and carefully fruity wine (it is the finest of wines in Alsace).
The very famous Gewurtztraminer gives a heady and full-bodied wine. Its intense bouquet develops exotic fruit, flowers or spicy aromas. It is strong and elegant and often considered as a vin de garde (for ageing).

Alsace's appellations

Alsace's appellations are : Alsace or wines of Alsace which represent 83% of the production, Alsace Grand Cru which represents 4% of the production and has produced 50 Grands Crus since 1992, and Crémant d'Alsace which represents 13% of the production. Particular quotes : Vendanges Tardives (these are wines from overmature picked  grapes) and selecting noble grains (these wines are from successive harvests, which consists in sorting grapes suffering from noble rot).