Alsatian Wines & Gastronomy

Gewurztraminer is undoubtedly the most expressive and recognisable grape variety in Alsace - and perhaps in the entire world. Its powerful and characteristic aromas of rose, lychee, spices and exotic flowers are identifiable at first sniff, even by the uninitiated. A wine of character and seduction, it represents the quintessence of the Alsatian style: generous, aromatic and of a complexity that rivals the greatest white grape varieties in the world.

Pinot Auxerrois is one of Alsace's most confidential grape varieties. Often blended with Pinot Blanc under the generic label "Klevener" or "Pinot Blanc", it nonetheless deserves to be known in its own right. This generous and velvety variety, with aromas of ripe white fruits and gentle spices, brings roundness and richness to Alsatian blends and forms the secret backbone of many Crémants d'Alsace. A grape variety to discover absolutely for those who are truly interested in Alsatian wines.

Heiligenstein is a small wine village in the Vosges foothills that conceals a treasure unique in the world: the Klevener de Heiligenstein, a pink-berried grape variety grown nowhere else in Alsace and in no other French wine region. This discreet and distinguished wine, with its delicate aromas of rose and gentle spices, is one of the finest curiosities of the Alsatian vineyard. Discover the history of this village and its exceptional grape, a true ambassador of an authentic and preserved...

Alsatian Sylvaner is the great misunderstood of Alsatian grape varieties. Less spectacular than Gewurztraminer, less mineral than Riesling, less velvety than Pinot Gris, it wins hearts with its natural freshness, lightness and straightforwardness. The quintessential thirst-quenching wine, it happily accompanies everyday meals and seafood platters, offering an accessibility and drinkability that its nobler cousins often envy. This guide finally gives it the place it deserves in the Alsatian...

Alsatian Pinot Blanc is arguably the most underrated grape variety in the region. Less flamboyant than Gewurztraminer, less mineral than Riesling, it wins hearts with its remarkable versatility and accessibility. Aperitif wine, table wine, the backbone of Crémant d'Alsace: Pinot Blanc accompanies every occasion with disarming ease. This guide finally gives it the recognition it deserves.

An Alsatian wine label is a wealth of information for those who know how to read it. Unlike other major French wine regions, Alsace puts the grape variety front and centre - a distinctive feature that makes choosing considerably easier. Vintage, appellation, late harvest mention or Grand Cru: this complete guide explains every element so you can choose your Alsatian wine with complete confidence.

The Alsatian gift box is one of the most popular solutions for giving an authentic, representative gift from the region, without needing to multiply individual searches. Gourmet, wine-themed or artisan, each gift box formula meets different expectations, making it easy to find the perfect gift for every occasion and recipient.

Bringing home a gourmet souvenir from Alsace allows you to extend the pleasure of your trip well after returning. Gingerbread, artisan jams, local honey and vineyard wines rank among the most authentic and representative specialities of the regional terroir, to gift or to enjoy at home.

The Colmar Wine Fair has been, for over seventy years, Alsace's largest wine event and one of France's most important wine fairs. Every summer, hundreds of thousands of visitors gather in the Alsatian capital to discover and taste the entire regional production.

The Barr harvest festival is one of Alsace's oldest and most spectacular wine celebrations. Each autumn, the town dresses in colour and flowers to honour the end of the grape harvest through a vibrant parade, blending agricultural tradition, regional folklore and popular festivity.

Alsatian fruit brandy is one of the lesser-known treasures of the region's gastronomic heritage. Mirabelle, quetsche, kirsch, raspberry - these fruit brandies, distilled using age-old methods by passionate small-scale distillers, testify to a unique craft and an exceptional fruit terroir.

Alsace offers one of France's richest grape variety palettes, each with its own personality and preferred pairings. From mineral Riesling to opulent Gewurztraminer, from light Pinot Noir to festive Crémant - knowing how to match the right wine to the right dish transforms a meal into a true gastronomic experience.

Crémant d'Alsace is France's leading sparkling wine by volume outside Champagne. Produced using the traditional method - second fermentation in the bottle as in Champagne - it offers a quality and characterful alternative, often at a far more accessible price, for every festive and gastronomic occasion.

The Vendanges Tardives and Sélections de Grains Nobles are the two appellations of absolute prestige in the Alsatian wine region. These exceptional sweet wines - produced only in great years, in tiny quantities - rank among the world's finest sweet white wines, capable of rivalling Sauternes and German Trockenbeerenauslesen.

The Alsace Grands Crus represent the elite of Alsatian viticulture. These 51 exceptional terroirs, precisely delimited on the Vosges hillsides, produce the most complex and most gastronomic white wines of the region. A unique viticultural heritage in France, to be discovered and understood to fully appreciate the richness of Alsatian wines.

Munster - or Munster-Géromé - is the quintessential Alsatian cheese. Produced in the Munster valley and on the Vosges high pastures since the Middle Ages, this soft washed-rind cheese has held a Protected Designation of Origin since 1969. Powerful in aroma, surprising on the palate, it is the most authentic expression of the Vosges terroir.

Gertwiller, a small village on the Vosges foothills between Obernai and Barr, is recognised worldwide as the world capital of gingerbread. Two exceptional artisan houses - Lips and Fortwenger - have been perpetuating a unique craft for generations, making this village of a few hundred inhabitants the global epicentre of a timeless Alsatian speciality.

Alsatian beer soup is one of the most authentic and least-known winter recipes in the regional repertoire. Velvety, slightly bitter, fragrant with cumin and softened with a touch of cream, it is served with toasted gingerbread croutons for a surprising and unforgettable pairing.