Where it is
Alsace runs about 120 km from north to south in north-eastern France, between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine, from near Marlenheim down to Thann. The vineyards cover the Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin departments, and the wine towns of Colmar, Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr sit along the Route des Vins.
Land and climate
The Vosges shelter the vineyards from Atlantic rain, so Colmar is among the driest cities in France. Summers are warm and autumns long and sunny, which suits late-ripening grapes. The soils change every few hundred metres, from granite and sandstone to limestone, marl and volcanic rock.
Grapes and wines
Alsace is unusual in France for labelling wines by grape. Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat are the four noble varieties allowed in the grand cru wines. Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner and Auxerrois make lighter wines, Pinot Noir makes the reds, and Crémant d'Alsace is the sparkling wine. Late-harvest wines are labelled Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles.
Appellations
There are three main appellations: AOC Alsace, AOC Alsace Grand Cru (51 named vineyards) and AOC Crémant d'Alsace.