Between the Vosges massif and the Alsace Plain, the Alsatian vineyards extend over 15,000 hectares, from Thann in the Haut-Rhin to Marlenheim in the Bas-Rhin. The semi-continental climate (warm and dry) and the exceptional geographic location of the vineyards are the perfect conditions for growing seven grape varieties: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Tokay Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Muscat d'Alsace. The only grape variety that is not used to produce white wine is Pinot Noir.
Three different AOC labels exist in Alsace – Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru and Crémant d'Alsace (sparkling wine) – as well as the prestigious terms vendange tardive (late harvest) and sélection de grains nobles (selection of noble grapes).
These wines are traditionally presented in flûtes d'Alsace, the famous tall, thin bottles.
The Alsace Vineyards and Wines museum explains the art and history of the Alsace wine and can be discovered at the Kientzheim castle in the Haut-Rhin, headquarters of the Saint-Etienne brotherhood.
