An exceptional site :
The Rangen is the most southerly vineyard in Alsace and belongs to the towns of Thann and Vieux-Thann. This mountainside vineyard ranging from 340 to 470 m in altitude, at the foot of the Rangenkopf, faces due south and its slopes are extremely steep (60°). The river Thur which flows at its base helps to preserve it from spring frosts. From the geological point of view, the Rangen is immediately adjacent to the main Vosges fault and lies on the Devonian-Carboniferous volcano-clastic basement. It is rock-waste material from terrestrial degradation of an older mountain range, mixed with volcanic extrusive products, all bedded together. This gives a siliceous rock, more or less coarse sand, with acid and basic minerals, fertilizing elements for the soil: Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Fe, F, P, S, with trace elements. The hardness of the rock makes the soil stony and its dark colour favours heat retention. The Rangen is the only vineyard in Alsace on volcano-clastic rocks.
Favoured varietals :
Thann is the only locality in Alsace which can boast that the totality of its vineyard area is classified as Grand Cm. The 18,81 ha of the Rangen are planted with Riesling, Tokay Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer.
Within living memory...
Frequented the Collegiate church St-Thiébaut at Thann showered praises on the Rangen. Its wines inspired countless poets and travellers, such as Brant, Minister, Fischart, and Michel de Montaigne who wrote in 1580 : "Went to supper at Thann, four leagues, first town of Germany, subject to the Emperor, very beautiful. Next morning, discovered a beautiful and large plain, flanked on the left hand side by hillsides covered with vines, the finest and best cultivated, and over such an expanse, that the Gascons who were there said that they had never seen so many at one time".
Typical characteristics :
Grand Cm Rangen wines all express the soil typicity : they are wines for keeping. Naturally rich in alcohol with well-balanced agreeable acidity, they display elegance and great finesse in fruit (Riesling), richness and character (Tokay Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer).
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