Alsace Grand Cru Wines — The Pinnacle of Alsatian Terroir

Alsace's Grand Cru classification covers 51 specific vineyard sites, officially delineated by the INAO between 1983 and 2007. These are vineyards where the combination of terroir, exposition, and climate has been recognised as producing wines of superior quality and distinctiveness.

The Classification System

Only the four noble varieties may be used on Grand Cru labels:

→    Riesling — the most planted, producing the most diverse and terroir-expressive wines

→    Gewurztraminer — producing the most opulent and aromatic expressions

→    Pinot Gris — rich, textured, and remarkably versatile

→    Muscat — increasingly rare on Grand Cru labels, producing exceptional dry wines

The Greatest Grand Crus for Riesling

Schlossberg (Kaysersberg/Kientzheim) — the largest Grand Cru, on granite soils. Elegant, floral Riesling with great finesse and longevity.

Rangen (Thann) — the most southerly Grand Cru, on volcanic soils. Produces the most powerful and complex Alsatian wines of any variety.

Brand (Turckheim) — blue granite, producing structured, mineral Riesling.

Sommerberg (Niedermorschwihr) — blue granite, exceptional Riesling of great purity.

Schoenenbourg (Riquewihr) — marl and gypsum, producing particularly long-lived Rieslings.

The Greatest Grand Crus for Gewurztraminer

Goldert (Gueberschwihr) — limestone producing refined, floral Gewurztraminer.

Hengst (Wintzenheim) — clay-limestone, powerful and structured.

Mambourg (Sigolsheim) — limestone, rich and opulent.

Vintage Variation and Ageing

Grand Cru Alsace wines are some of the longest-lived white wines produced in France. Riesling from great sites can age 20–30 years or more; Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris somewhat less, but still 10–20 years for the finest examples.