The Alsace Wine Route - The Complete Guide

It winds from north to south at the foot of the Vosges, linking vineyard hills, medieval castles and half-timbered villages in a landscape that seems lifted straight from a storybook. Inaugurated in 1953, the Alsace Wine Route is France's oldest wine trail. Across 170 kilometres, from Marlenheim to Thann, it passes through more than 70 communes, borders 51 classified Grands Crus and welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors each year. A journey unlike any other, combining architectural heritage, gastronomy and grape varieties found almost nowhere else on earth.

The 7 Alsatian grape varieties - a unique identity

Alsace is the only major French wine region to vinify its wines almost exclusively as single-variety wines - each bottle bears the name of the grape from which it is made. Seven varieties define the vineyard :

• Sylvaner : light, fresh, mineral. Ideal as an aperitif or with seafood.
• Pinot Blanc : supple and fruity, it pairs perfectly with starters and Alsatian charcuterie.
• Riesling : the king of Alsatian wines. Dry, mineral, of great finesse. It ages beautifully.
• Muscat : aromatic and floral, dry in Alsace - unlike Mediterranean muscats. Perfect as an aperitif.
• Pinot Gris : rich, full-bodied, slightly smoky. Pairs wonderfully with white meats and foie gras.
• Gewurztraminer : the most expressive Alsatian variety - rose, lychee, spices. Inseparable from Munster cheese and desserts.
• Pinot Noir : Alsace's only red, light and fruity, often vinified as a rosé.

Also worth discovering : Crémant d'Alsace, made by the traditional method, and two extremely rare varieties : Klevener de Heiligenstein and Rouge d'Ottrott, found almost nowhere else in the world.

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Chasselas Alsace Cuvée Réserve 75 cl

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The 51 Grands Crus - terroir expression

Alsace has 51 Grand Cru appellations, delimited parcels whose terroir - soil, aspect, microclimate - produces wines of exceptional character. Among the most renowned : Schlossberg (Kaysersberg), Rangen (Thann), Brand (Turckheim), Kastelberg and Wiebelsberg (Andlau).

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Muscat Alsace Selection 75 cl

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Gewurztraminer Alsace Tradition 75 cl

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Gewurztraminer Late Harvest of Alsace 50 cl

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Crémant Alsace Prestige Bio 75 cl

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The route from north to south - the key stages

The north - Marlenheim to Obernai

The route starts at Marlenheim, west of Strasbourg. It passes through Molsheim before reaching the Obernai area. The villages of Andlau, Barr and Heiligenstein offer a quieter side of Alsace, where the rare Klevener de Heiligenstein and Rouge d'Ottrott are produced.

The centre - Sélestat and the Haut-Koenigsbourg

Halfway between Strasbourg and Colmar, the landscape becomes more dramatic. The Haut-Koenigsbourg castle dominates the plain from 757 metres, with views to the Black Forest on clear days. The villages of Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr and Riquewihr - often called the "Pearl of Alsace" - form the tourist heart of the route.

The south - Colmar and Haut-Rhin

Colmar, the wine capital of Alsace, is unmissable with its Petite Venise quarter. Further south, Eguisheim, Turckheim, Kaysersberg and finally Thann with its Grand Cru Rangen provide a magnificent conclusion to the journey.

How to travel the Wine Route?

• By car : the most flexible option. Allow 3 to 4 days to enjoy the stops at a comfortable pace.
• By bicycle : the Alsace Vineyard Cycling Route stretches 131.5 kilometres, integrated into EuroVelo 5. Allow a week for a comfortable ride.
• On foot : over 50 signposted vineyard trails wind through the vineyards, with information panels on grape varieties and winemaking.

When to go?

• Spring (April-May) : vines in flower, villages in bloom, wine festival calendar begins.
• Summer (June-August) : ideal for outdoor activities, terrace dining and wine festivals.
• Autumn (September-October) : the most spectacular season - the vines turn gold and russet, harvest is in full swing, the air smells of ripe grapes.
• Winter (November-December) : the Christmas markets of Colmar, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg transform the route into a fairy tale.

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Illustrated Book Alsace The Wine Route

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Extend the pleasure of the Wine Route by taking home Alsatian specialities and souvenirs from decoalsace.fr - delivery across Europe.