Alsatian Wines

The Alsace wine region is virtually unique in France in that producers are allowed to put the grape variety on the label of their appellation contrôlée wines. It is also unique in that the grapes are both German and French: Riesling and Gewürztraminer, Muscat and Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. These are not light wines, but they have a combination of fruitiness and richness quite different from the German models just across the Rhine. Although primarily dry, some are sweet, so consult individual Alsace wine reviews to see in which style each wine is made. Our Alsace wine guide contains hundreds of Alsace wine ratings.

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Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 2000 Selection des Grains Nobles Rotenberg Pinot Gris

— R.V. (10/1/2002)

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Trimbach 2000 Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling

Price $42

This is one of Alsace’s greatest Rieslings, a wine from the grand cru vineyard of Osterberg. It is bone dry, a style that remains a passion for the Trimbachs. With its steely, mineral character, and its grapefruit flavors, it can seem too austere. But just wait 10 years—the wine will be transformed. This is superb Riesling by any standard. Imported by Diageo… — R.V. (11/1/2005)

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Domaine Weinbach 2002 Grand Cru Cuvée Ste Catherine L'Inédit Riesling

Editors' Choice
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Price $75

That Laurence Faller is able to conjure wonders from her family’s great estate is an incontrovertible fact. But if further proof were needed, here it is in the shape of a fabulous Riesling from a small parcel of vines. It has enormous fruit, which is so pure, so steely and rich at the same time. It has hedgerow fruits, packing in behind finesse and elegance, with… — R.V. (5/1/2005)

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Domaine Marcel Deiss 2001 Rotenberg White

Price $47

The 12-acre Rotenberg vineyard in Wintzenheim produces vibrant, racy wines, like this blend of Riesling and Pinot Gris. It is fresh and intense, with concentrated flavors of sweet white currants. Imported by Lauber Imports. — R.V. (4/1/2005)

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Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 2002 Grand Cru Hengst Wintzenheim Gewurztraminer

Price $87

This is one of the most powerful in the range of Zind-Humbrecht’s extraordinary Gewürztraminers. It is packed with spice and pepper, and is rich, but dry. Its power comes from the sheer concentration of fruit. This is the sort of wine that needs to be drunk by itself—it will dominate any food. — R.V. (4/1/2005)

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Domaines Schlumberger 2001 Grand Cru Kessler Pinot Gris

Price $24

This Pinot Gris shows sweetness, some honey but also a fine mineral structure, which promises aging at least for 10 years. Imported by Maisons Marques & Domaines USA. — R.V. (2/1/2006)

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Domaine Marcel Deiss 2001 Sélection de Grains Nobles Pinot Gris

This is not so much a sweet wine (although there is plenty of marmalade flavor here) as it is hugely rich and concentrated. It is like drinking drops of nectar, with honey, dryness and ripe fruit. At this early stage in its development the richness dominates—it needs time to develop. Imported by New Castle Imports. — R.V. (2/1/2006)

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Domaines Schlumberger 1999 Cuvée Clarisse Sélection de Grains Nobles Pinot Gris

Price $83

A pure, beautifully structured wine, with layers of dry botrytis delicately time, a great balancing act, and it manages to retain varietal character, hard to do with sweet wines. Imported by Maisons Marques & Domaines USA. — R.V. (2/1/2006)

Most Reviewed Sub Regions

Crémant d'Alsace

Most Reviewed Varietals

Chardonnay Gewürztraminer Muscat Other White Pinot Blanc Pinot Grigio/Gris Pinot Noir Riesling Rosé Sparkling White Blend

Most Reviewed Wineries

Domaine Marcel Deiss Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Domaines Schlumberger Dopff & Irion Gustave Lorentz Hugel Josmeyer Kuentz-Bas Lucien Albrecht Marc Kreydenweiss Pierre Sparr René Muré

2010 Pence Ranch Westslope

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