The Vosges block the rain, leaving Colmar among the driest towns in France and giving Alsace long, sunny autumns. Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat ripen slowly on a geological patchwork of granite, sandstone, limestone and volcanic rock — 51 grands crus, each with its own signature. Uniquely in France, labels name the grape.
Appellations to know
For each one: the bottle that defines it, and the bottle that over-delivers. Indicative retail prices, not an offer to sell.
Alsace Grand Cru Rangen
Volcanic, smoky, the steepest slope in the region
Best wine
€120
Zind-Humbrecht Rangen Clos Saint-Urbain Riesling
Volcanic smoke and salt from the steepest slope in Alsace.
Best value
€45
Schoffit Rangen Pinot Gris
The other Rangen owner; same volcanic depth, gentler price.
Schlossberg
Granite Riesling — citrus, spring water, high tension
Best wine
€90
Domaine Weinbach Schlossberg Cuvée Sainte-Catherine
Granite Riesling of citrus and spring-water clarity.
Best value
€22
Domaine Paul Blanck Riesling Patergarten
Lieu-dit Riesling from the same village, grand cru style.
Hengst
Powerful marl-limestone Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris
Best wine
€70
Josmeyer Hengst Riesling Samain
Marl-limestone power with a long, saline finish.
Best value
€25
Domaine Barmès-Buecher Pinot Gris Rosenberg
Rich but dry Pinot Gris from Wettolsheim clay.
Crémant d'Alsace
France's most-produced crémant, largely Pinot Blanc
Best wine
€28
Domaine Albert Mann Crémant Extra Brut
Grand cru fruit in a sparkling wine; Champagne-grade detail.
Best value
€14
Lucien Albrecht Crémant Brut
The reliable everyday crémant that started the category.
The most expensive areas
Typical retail
Where land, scarcity and reputation push prices highest in Alsace. Indicative bottle prices for benchmark producers, not an offer to sell.
- 01
Clos Sainte-Hune (Rosacker)
€150–400
Trimbach's monopole Riesling, Alsace's benchmark price.
- 02
Rangen de Thann Clos Saint-Urbain
€70–200
Volcanic, near-vertical, worked entirely by hand.
- 03
Schlossberg & Clos des Capucins
€50–150
Weinbach and Faller's granite Rieslings.
- 04
Sélection de Grains Nobles
€100–350 / half
Botrytised Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris, tiny volumes.
What's produced
At the table
- Choucroute garnie
- Tarte flambée
- Munster cheese
- Thai green curry