How to Read an Alsatian Wine Label - Complete Guide

The Alsatian Specificity: the Grape Variety at the Heart of the Label

In Alsace, unlike Bordeaux or Burgundy where the château or the lieu-dit takes precedence, it is the grape variety that occupies the central place on the label. This characteristic, unique among the great French regions, greatly simplifies the consumer's choice: they immediately know what style of wine to expect before even opening the bottle.

The seven noble Alsatian grape varieties authorised under the appellation d'origine contrôlée are Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc. Each expresses a very distinct character, from the mineral and dry Riesling to the floral and powerful Gewurztraminer, via the velvety Pinot Gris and the aromatic Muscat.

The Appellation: Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru or Crémant

The appellation d'origine contrôlée is always stated on the label. In Alsace, three main appellations exist:

AOC Alsace: the basic appellation covering the entire Alsatian vineyard. It represents the vast majority of wines produced in the region and offers excellent value for money.

AOC Alsace Grand Cru: reserved for the 51 classified Grand Cru sites, this appellation imposes lower yields and stricter winemaking rules. Only four noble grape varieties are permitted: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat. The name of the Grand Cru (Hengst, Brand, Schlossberg, Rangen...) must appear on the label.

AOC Crémant d'Alsace: the appellation for Alsatian sparkling wines, produced using the traditional method with a second fermentation in the bottle. Crémant d'Alsace now accounts for nearly 25% of the region's wine production.

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Riesling from Alsace Tradition 75 cl

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Gewurztraminer Alsace Tradition 75 cl

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Muscat Alsace Selection 75 cl

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The Vintage: the Year of the Harvest

The vintage indicates the year of the harvest. In Alsace, it is particularly important as climatic conditions vary considerably from one year to the next, directly influencing the aromatic profile and ageing potential of the wine. Warm, sunny years generally produce richer and rounder wines, while cooler years produce more taut and mineral wines.

Recent great Alsatian vintages include 2007, 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2020, particularly appreciated for their balance and complexity. A wine without a vintage is generally a blend of several years, common for Crémants.

Special Mentions: VT, SGN and Late Harvest

Vendanges Tardives (VT): the grapes were harvested late, after the normal harvest date, with a naturally higher sugar concentration. The resulting wine is rich, medium-sweet to luscious, with great aromatic complexity. Only the four noble grape varieties are permitted for VT.

Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN): the pinnacle of Alsatian viticulture. The grapes are sorted berry by berry and show advanced over-ripeness, often linked to noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). These exceptional, luscious and very long-lived wines are produced in very small quantities and only in favourable years.

Both mentions are regulated and subject to strictly controlled minimum natural sugar levels. They appear on the label in addition to the grape variety and appellation.

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Pinot Gris of Alsace Tradition 75 cl

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Pinot Noir Alsace Tradition 75 cl

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Crémant Alsace Prestige Bio 75 cl

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The Producer and the Bottling Location

The label always mentions the name and address of the producer or cellar. Various mentions indicate the producer's status:

Domaine or Propriété: the winegrower produces their own wine from their own vines. This is a guarantee of a distinct identity and terroir.

Cave coopérative: member winegrowers bring their grapes to the cooperative which vinifies and markets. Alsatian cooperatives such as Wolfberger or Cave de Turckheim often offer excellent value for money.

Négociant: buys grapes or bulk wine to vinify or blend under their own label.

The mention Mis en bouteille à la propriété or Mis en bouteille au domaine guarantees that the wine was bottled where it was produced, which is generally an additional quality indicator.

The Alsatian Bottle: the Characteristic Flute

Alsatian wines are traditionally presented in a tall, slender bottle called the Alsatian flute, distinct from Bordeaux or Burgundy bottles. This characteristic shape, required by AOC regulation since 1972, has become an immediately recognisable sign of Alsatian wine worldwide. Only Crémant d'Alsace is presented in a standard Champagne bottle, adapted to the pressure of sparkling wines.

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Gewurztraminer Late Harvest of Alsace 50 cl

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Your 2-Bottle Alsatian Wine Gift Set

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Your 3-Bottle Alsatian Wine Gift Set

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Back Labels: a Wealth of Additional Information

The back label generally provides valuable information that the main label cannot contain: recommended food and wine pairings, ideal serving temperature, description of the aromatic profile, winemaking method, ageing potential and sometimes anecdotes about the terroir or the estate. It is often the back label that allows a dry wine to be distinguished from a medium-dry or sweet one - crucial information when choosing the right wine for the occasion.

Some producers also indicate the residual sugar level in grams per litre on the back label, information increasingly appreciated by consumers wishing to distinguish dry wines from sweeter ones within the same grape variety.