Gewurztraminer
One of the easiest wines to recognize because of its deep gold colour and floral bouquet of "roses and lychees".
This pink grape is low in acidity and very high in alcohol but is susceptible to frost and has low, erratic yields.
The Gewurztraminer is at its wonderful best in Alsace, expect a full bodied wine of up to 14% alcohol by volume!
Try an Alsace Gewurztraminer - pure gold!
Riesling
First recorded in Germany in the middle ages the Riesling is the undisputed king of all white grapes.
Riesling needs a cool climate and a long growing season to fully develop its aroma and flavours, buds late so is frost resistant and has excellent yields. Riesling is very adaptable to soil conditions and is one of those grapes that takes on the flavour of its terroir.
The wines are aromatic, floral and acidic with flavours and aromas of white fruit, peaches and apricots.
Riesling is famously linked with Germany but is at its very best in Alsace.
Tokay-Pinot-Gris
Tokay Pinot-Gris is an excellent accompaniment to food and is one of the finest grapes of the region.
There is some spicyness in the aroma and the wine is rich and full bodied with relatively high extract and alcohol.
Pinot-Noir
One of the oldest grape varieties, Pinot Noir was cultivated in Burgundy before the Roman invasion.
The vine is genetically unstable and has mutated to over 1,000 varieties in Burgundy alone, it is said that there is a clone of Pinot Noir for any purpose!
The vine is temperamental and difficult, is early to bud and ripen, of moderate vigour and produces low yields. Pinot Noir is susceptible to spring frosts, mildew and rot and performs better in deep, well drained soils.
In its youth expect aromas and flavours of raspberries, strawberries and cherry. A mature Pinot Noir is an entirely different animal, incredibly complex with tastes and aromas from violets to game, words cannot do it justice - try one for yourself!.
Pinot-Blanc
The Pinot Blanc originated in northern France and is often mistaken for Chardonnay.
Although it copes well with most soil types it is at its best on chalky soils. The Pinot Blanc has only moderate vigour but produces very good yields and is also known as Klevener in Alsace.
Muscat
The Alsace Muscat is a delicate, dry wine with all the fresh flavour of white table or eating grapes.
The aroma is refined and of pure grapes and the wine is often drunk as an aperitif.
The Muscat Ottonel vines account for only about 4% of the total vines planted in Alsace.
Klevener-de-Heiligenstein
The Klevener de Heiligenstein is an unusual and increasingly rare variety of Traminer peculiar to the immediate area around the village of Heiligenstein.
The wines are aromatic and full bodied with some finesse and are suitable for a wide variety of food.
Edelzwicker
Edelzwicker is a blend of Alsace grapes but rarely includes the noble varieties.
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