Alsace Wine Region

Travel Guide to Alsace Wine region

Alsace wine region boasts beautiful hilly vineyards stretching along the Rhine river in the northeast of France. 51 vineyards, each with their own designated Grand Cru appellation, are dispersed in two sub-regions: the Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin . These areas are quite diverse and they are home to noble, aromatic grape varieties producing floral and peachy white wines.

Five reasons why you should visit the Alsace wine region:

1) It is home to one of the most aromatic wines.
2) Wine route of Alsace - is one of the most picturesque wine routes, starting near Strasbourg and ending just south of Colmar.
3) Picturesque towns and villages with half-timbered houses, which make you feel like a fairytale.
4) Its cultural diversity - Alsace wine region has a beautiful fusion of German and French cultures expressed in architecture, gastronomy, and even in wines.
5) Last, but not least - Landscapes! Landscapes! Landscapes!

Learn about Wine Tastings & Tours in Alsace wine region!

HISTORY BOX: The first vineyards here appeared thanks to Romans! The Alsace wine region has exceptional conditions for viticulture. The climate is dry, and the vines benefit from very good sun exposure. This terroir attracted the Romans and they decided to plant the first vines in the area.

Where is Alsace Wine Region Located?

Alsace wine region is located in the northeast part of France on the border with Germany and Switzerland. To the west, the Alsace region has Champagne and Burgundy wine regions and to the south, Jura and Savoie. Located on the borders of Switzerland and Germany, the Alsace wine region benefits from an ideal location in the heart of Europe. This also had an influence on the heritage, gastronomy, and even on the wines of Alsace. It is a great mix of German and French culture.

Briefly about history of Alsace Wine Region

At the beginning of the 13th century, there were more than a hundred wine-making villages in Alsace. During this period, wines were exported all over Europe. However, the Thirty Years' War in Central Europe ruined the villages and vineyards. Nevertheless, even if the trade was difficult at this time, some villages have been rebuilt and they have grown wine production.

Since 1962, the Alsace is officially an A.O.C and it is known as one of the most beautiful wine regions in France with its cultural diversity, charming villages, and breathtaking vineyard landscapes.

Alsace Wine Region Map

Discover Alsace Wine Route

The Alsace Wine Route is one of the oldest wine routes in France and is certainly one of the most beautiful. With its amazing landscapes and idyllic vineyards, the Alsace wine region will hypnotise you throughout your 170-kilometre drive. France's Alsace wine region is one of Europe's most charming. There are lovely wine routes, historic castles, and cities. Read more about this amazing Alsace wine route!

Let's Dive in Alsatian Wines and Culture!

Two Distinct Sub-Regions

Alsace wine region occupies 15600 hectares of land which is further divided into two sub-regions:

- The Haut-Rhin stretches along the Vosges, between Sélestat in the north and Thann in the South.

- The Bas-Rhin extends from Strasbourg to Sélestat.

They share the production of the 51 grand crus, 33 in the Haut-Rhin, and 18 in the Bas-Rhin. Alsace wines enjoy exceptional diversity because of the diverse terroirs of these two sub-regions.

What's The Alsacatian Wine Like?

In Alsace Wine Region, the majority of the wines (90%) are white.

- They are floral and spicy;
- They are pure and express the varietal character.

- Alsace wines are known for their elegance, finesse, and aromatic characteristics;

Alsatian wines are produced under 3 appellations(AOC): Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru and Crémant d’Alsace

Each appellation has rules that each winemaker should follow. For the AOC Alsace Grand Cru, only 4 grape varieties are allowed (Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer), while there is no restriction for the AOC Alsace. It is common that a producer produces a broad range of white wines with different levels of sugar, from dry to sweet wines. In Crémant d’Alsace, they produce some nice bubbly wines with the traditional method.

TIP!

Don't miss harvest experience at The Rieflé-Landmann winery! They are committed to using organic methods and only harvest by hand.

Alsace Wine Region Grand Crus - Superior Wines and Vineyards

What Does Grand Cru mean?

/ɡrɒ̃ ˈkruː,French ɡʀɑ̃ kʀy/
 "A wine of the most superior grade, or the vineyard which produces it."

The number of Grand Crus makes the Alsace wine region unique among other regions of France. A whopping 51 Grand Crus come under only 3 appellations and wine from one grand cru will taste different than a wine produced in another Grand Cru!

About the Aromatics of Alsace Grapes

Riesling gives floral bouquet and mineral hints when Gewürztraminer is more full-bodied and has intense aromas of flowers, spices and fruit.

Top Wineries in Alsace Wine Region

Wineries with open cellar door

Many wineries in the Alsace wine region welcome visitors, both for cellar door sales and wine tastings & tour activities.

Here, you will discover a big diversity of experiences, starting with wine tasting and harvest experience finished with a bike tour along the breathtaking vineyards.

Domaine Bott Frères

Domaine Bott Frères produces fine wines from 18 ha of vineyards that has plots in different Grand Crus.

Book your wine experience, learn about the whole process of winemaking and taste premium quality wines!

Etienne Simonis

Etienne Simonis is a family-run winery located in the heart of the Alsace wine region. The Simonis Family has been cultivating vines in Ammerschwihr since the 17th century.

Visit the winery and discover their biodynamic philosophy of winemaking through their wines and exchanges with the winemakers. Here you will discover organic vineyards and people who take care of biodiversity.

Domaine Bott-Geyl 

The history of Domaine Bott-Geyl goes back to 1795 when Jean Christophe Bott’s ancestor, Jean, produced his first wine.

The winery that counts more than 200 hundred years stands on three main pillars: traditions, innovations and sustainability.

Visit Domain Bott-Geyl and listen to their story while tasting excellent Alsacitian aromatic wines.

Have a look at our selection of Wineries in Alsace Wine Region with open cellar door and the greatest hospitality!

Places to Visit in Alsace Wine Region

Alsatian towns and villages are perfect places for romantic getaway with their canals, bridges and half-timbered houses.

Even if Alsace is a very small region, the region has several cities and villages worthwhile to stop by. Below we highlight some places, we think will represent Alsace wine region.

Strasbourg - The European Capital of the Alsace Wine Region

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Strasbourg is a lively and dynamic city.  Its dynamism is highly appreciated by visitors. Indeed, the town is one of the cities that offers the most cultural activities. Besides, there are a lot of museums, concerts and music festivals. Furthermore, Strasbourg has a world-renowned heritage: the “Grande île”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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"La Petit France" quarter is a favorite place for visitors because of its very particular architecture of half-timbered houses, canals, and bridges. Admire its historical monuments, cathedrals, the house Kammerzell and many more. You will love discovering Strasbourg by walking or bike! To go from the city out to the wineries does not take long, so it is not a problem to combine cultural activities with wine tasting and tours during your trip to Strasbourg.

Colmar -  Little Venice in Alsace Wine Land

Colmar is a lovely town with half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance buildings. Definitely, one of the most romantic towns in the Alsace wine region. However, not only its architecture is delightful here, but also its environment. Colmar is considered both as the Little Venice of Alsace and as the kingdom of Alsace wines.

The name Little Venice is due to its canals of Launch River. This district begins behind the Koïffhus and goes through the fish market dock. Come discover the charms of the historic city center. Colmar is a must-step for discovering the sweetness of life in Alsace!

Kaysersberg - The Village That Looks Like Postcard

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Kaysersberg is a wonderful village with many assets, especially, remarkable architectural heritage with its narrow streets, colourful timbered houses and 16th-century fortified bridge. The town is located in a valley surrounded by vineyards and forested hills.

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If you have the chance to go there during the winter season, you will enjoy an authentic Christmas market. This unique medieval town has a great location surrounded by vineyards, which makes it ideal to discover the wines of the Alsace region.

The Lovely Riquewihr - “The Pearl of Alsatian Vineyard”

Between the Vosges’ crests and the Alsace plains, there is Riquewihr, an outstanding medieval town. Riquewihr is ranked among the most beautiful villages in France. For centuries, this magnificent place marries the quality of its architecture to the quality of its wines. In fact, Riquewhir is one of Alsace’s must-visit places.

If you appreciate authenticity, you will love to explore the village. Whether for its half-timbered houses or for its museums, the city will charm you with its unique aspect.

Alsace wine region offers a diversity of wine tourism experiences. Check out wine tastings & tours in Alsace, choose your favorite, and experience this beautiful Franco-Germanic culture and wines!

Discover the finest Alsace Wine Tour Guide and embark on unforgettable Guided Wine Tours in the heart of Alsace.

Pair Your Glass of Wine with Alsatian Cuisine

When visiting the wine region of Alsace, it makes sense to enjoy the food paired with the exceptional wines of the region.

Eating in Alsace is like tasting both French and German cuisine and something else, which is a beautiful mix of these two.

Choucroute d'Alsace. Is It Very Sour?

Alsatians are specialists in the preparation of sour cabbage which is known as Choucroute here. They serve it with sausages and other charcuterie.

Originally, this dish is from Germany and Eastern Europe but it also became popular in France in the middle of the 16th century. Today, the recipe is famous in the region, accompanied by a wide range of Alsatian charcuterie products and regional wines, of course!

Pinot Noir rosé of  Cave Vinicole de Cleebourg would be a nice companion for this dish.

Baeckeoffe – Vegetable Combo with Meat

Baeckeoffe is a traditional dish of Alsatian cuisine, based on vegetables and assortment of lamb, beef and pork. The particularity of this dish is that the ingredients are stewed for over 24 hours in a terrine with spices and white wine from the Alsace vineyard. Its name means the baker’s oven in Alsatian.

In fact, traditionally, the house lady placed the large terrine of Baeckoffe at the bakers by going to mass. The three types of meat of this dish represent the Alsatian religious traditions: beef for the Catholic religion, pork for the Protestant, and lamb for the Jewish.

Match Baeckeoffe with full-bodied and round Pinot Gris or complex, aromatic and refreshing Riesling from Vins Schoenheitz.

Flammekueche - Alsatian Pizza

The recipe that has peasant origins is a famous speciality from the Alsace wine region. It is composed of thin bread dough, generally of rectangular shape. Then, it is covered with a mixture of thick cream and cottage cheese, bacon, onions and seasoned with salt and pepper.

Peasants used to bake Flammekueche in the oven when it was still too hot to bake the bread but the temperature was ideal for Flammekueche.

Marry this dish with refreshing Pinot Blanc from Wunsch et Mann winery.

Bredele – Alsatian Christmas Biscuits

In the Alsace, Christmas is a very important period of the year. Indeed, Alsatians have the tradition to cook Christmas cookies: the Bredele. Even if the legend tells that the Bredele has always existed, the first proof of their existence dates from 1570. The moulds used for their manufacture date back to this date.

They prepare Bredele in different shapes and flavours. It could be stars, Christmas trees, reindeer…and have flavours gingerbread, anise, cinnamon, the possibilities are limitless! They are traditionally eaten with Alsatian mulled wine.

Choose Vins Becker's Pinot Noir to prepare mulled wine for your Christmas Bredele.

Frequently Asked Questions about Alsace Wine Region