I spent one month in Strasbourg, France, and took some time to learn about and tour the Alsace Wine Region. Here is what you need to know in a nutshell.
Alsace Wine Region Overview
Strasbourg is Alsace’s capital city. The region is situated on the upper eastern side of France, in the Rhine Valley.
Alsace is divided into two parts: Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin. Bas-Rhin is north of Strasbourg, and Haut-Rhin is south of Strasbourg on the low slopes of the Vosges Mountains.
The best vineyards are generally regarded to be associated with Haut-Rhin. Many of the Alsace Grand Cru vineyards are in Haut-Rhin.
Alsace Wine Region Soil
Alsace has undergone significant geological changes throughout its history, including the collapse of the Rhine Gap. These disruptions have resulted in a diverse range of soils, subsoils, and microclimates within the region. The soils include granite, shale, sandstone, marl, clay, alluvium, loess, and loam. For an in-depth explanation of the soils of Alsace, visit Vins Alsace and read their article titled “Geology of Alsace terroirs” to learn more.
Alsacian Wine Region Grape Varietals
There are six white wines: Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Muscat d’Alsace, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer, and one rosé or red wine: the Pinot Noir. Riesling is the king and accounts for approximately 22.5% of the wine produced in Alsace, according to the “Google Oracle.”
Alsace Wine Route
The Alsace Wine Route is the oldest in France. It begins in the city of Marlenheim, known as the “doorway to the Alsace Wine Route,” and ends in Thann, the final village along the route.
As you travel the route, you’ll pass through more than 70 charming villages. Even my friend Michael—who is a teetotaler and the cheapest man I know, someone who wouldn’t drink a glass of wine even if it were offered for free—enjoyed driving along the Alsace Wine Route with his wife.
Alsace Wine Route Touring
If you have a car, it is easy. I never drink and drive, so I hired a professional to take us on a half-day tour to see the beginning of the wine route.
There are other options, such as the “Kutzig Open-top bus of the Alsatian Wine Route.” You can also find full and half-day tours on Viator, TripAdvisor, and GET YOUR GUIDE; and if you are lucky, you might see some storks along the route.
Alsacian Wine Tasting
There are countless places to taste Alsacian wine in Strasbourg and along the Alsace wine route. See my post “What to do in Strasbourg, France,” where I mention “Le Comptoir des Vignerons Alsaciens,” a wine store in the Strasbourg center that offers over 375 wines from Alsace, sourced from 75 independent producers.
Alsace Wine Region Summary
Except for Gewurztraminer, which I love, I was not a fan of Alsace wines before visiting the region, and nothing I tasted or experienced during my stay changed my opinion. However, this highlights the beauty of food and wine preferences: there is no right or wrong choice, only what you enjoy.
On a positive note, I discovered the grape varietal Sylvaner, which is used to produce Sylvaner d’Alsace, a refreshing, light, and delicate Alsatian wine that I would describe as a perfect “picnic wine.”