Alsace Wine Region of France || History, Vineyards, Winemaking || Wine Region

Introduction

Alsace has always been in a quandary. Because of its precarious location on the border between Germany and France, the area was a tug-of-war for centuries. Today, visitors to Alsace may see how the interventions of two giant empires influenced the region's architecture and the presence of both the French and German languages.

The Alsace Wine Route is one of France's oldest wine routes, as well as one of its most attractive. The Alsace wine region will hypnotise you throughout your 170-kilometer drive with its breath-taking vistas and lovely vineyards. Alsace, France's wine region, is one of Europe's most charming wine regions.

History

The area was captured by Julius Caesar's Roman forces in the first century BCE and had been thoroughly Romanized by the time of the Alemanni invasion in the fifth century CE. However, the Alemanni were defeated by the Franks under Clovis in 496, and Alsace became a Frankish duchy. The territory was Christianized and colonised during Merovingian authority.

Alsace was inhabited by nomadic hunters in prehistoric times. The area became a heterogeneous border region between the French and German cultures and languages after being part of the Roman Empire's Germania Superior province. Long a centre of the German-speaking world, after the Thirty Years War, France acquired southern Alsace in 1648, with the majority of the remaining taken later in the century. Unlike in the rest of France, Protestants were allowed to practise their faith in Alsace even after the Edict of Fontainebleau of 1685, which removed their rights in the rest of France.

Alsace was seized by Germany after the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War and became a formal "Emperor's Land" of the unified German Empire in 1871. Following World War-I, the victorious Allies separated the province from Germany, and it became part of the Third French Republic. After being seized and annexed by Germany during WWII, the Allies returned it to France at the end of the war.

Wine History

The numerous changes of nationality of the Alsace region, which has gone from France to Germany and vice versa several times throughout history, have had a significant impact on the history of Alsace wine. Because the Rhine provided a means of transportation for the wines, they were traded with other German wines in the early history of the Alsace wine business. Wine styles in Alsace and Germany varied for much of the post-World War II era, while Alsace wines remained completely fermented, that is, dry, to a significant extent because they were supposed to be matched with food. During the same period, Alsace witnessed a movement towards higher quality, which resulted in the awarding of AOC distinction.

Since the introduction of the VT and SGN designations in 1983, the difference between Alsace and Germany has widened as German wines have become drier and more powerful, while many Alsace wines have become sweeter, and late harvest and dessert style wines have been "rediscovered" in Alsace.

The total vineyard surface in Alsace has expanded in recent decades, whereas the total vineyard surface throughout France has dropped. Alsace vineyards covered 9,400 hectares (23,000 acres) in 1967, 11,750 hectares (29,000 acres) in 1982, and 15,300 hectares (38,000 acres) in 2007. Over the same time span, Pinot-gris increased the most, from 4% to 15% of the vineyard surface, while Sylvaner decreased the most.

Geography

Alsace is located in northern France, bordered by Germany on two sides and the Vosges mountains on the west. It is a historically turbulent region. It has formerly been a part of Germany (as Elsass), and its language and culture owe much to both countries. The majority of the village names and surnames are German.

The Vosges mountains enable the occurrence of good grape locations (47.5-49°N). The eastern side of the mountains has a distinct rain-shadow effect, resulting in less cloud and rain, lower relative humidity, and warmer temperatures than the lands immediately to the west and east. Alsace is one of central Europe's most fertile regions. The hills are often densely forested, primarily with fir, beech, and oak. The annual precipitation ranges from 20 to 28 inches (500 to 700 mm).

Alsace is densely populated (twice the national average) and has a well-developed metropolitan network, dominated by the cities of Strasbourg, Mulhouse, and Colmar. The population density in rural areas is among the greatest in France. Alsace is crossed by a network of highways, and Strasbourg is home to a regional airport. There is also a large port and industrial zone along the Rhine. Aside from being a canal, the Rhine is used to create hydroelectric electricity, and a nuclear power facility is located on its banks in Fessenheim.

Vineyards

Vineyards are typically found on moderate slopes between 175 and 420 metres in elevation. The aspect is predominantly east, but some of the best sites face south, such as those near Riquewihr. Colmar (located 8 kilometres south of Riquewihr at 188 metres altitude) has 1,231 growing season day degrees and 1,369 sunshine hours. Based on these criteria, the most comparable Australian regions are Hobart (Tasmania) and Leongatha (Victoria). The annual rainfall and growing season rainfall (April to October) are 355 mm and 502 mm, respectively.

The majority of the region's product is white wine. Riesling accounts for 20% of the planted area, followed by Traminer (20%), Pinot Blanc (18%), Sylvaner (15%), Pinot Gris (also known as Tokay in this region) 10%, Pinot Noir (9%), Muscats (Muscat Ottonel, Muscat Blanc) (4%), Auxerrois (2%), and Chasselas (2%). Only Riesling, Traminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat Blanc are permitted for Grand Cru wines. Chasselas is only used for blending; the remaining varieties are sold as "varietal wines" with the variety clearly displayed on the label, which is unusual for French wines.

In recent years, the area committed to Riesling and Pinot Noir has grown at the expense of Sylvaner. Only the best sites for the relatively late-ripening Riesling are planted (generally a south to south-easterly aspect with well-drained, 'warm' soils). On less favourable sites, the earlier ripening varieties are planted. Riesling. Traminer and Sylvaner are almost non-existent in the rest of France.

In term of general design, vineyards look more German than French.

Vineyard and Winemaking practices

Alsace wines are classified as Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru for still white wines (both sweet and dry), and Crémant d'Alsace for sparkling. Almost all of the wine produced in this region falls under one of these three classifications. The Alsace Grand Cru wines are made from one of 51 preferred vineyards spread across the area.

The density of planting is 4,400 to 4,800 vines per ha, with rows 1.5 metres or wider. Pruning is generally done to canes with either a single Guyot (one 15 node cane per vine) or a double Guyot (two 8 node canes per vine). Although up to 12 nodes per square metre are allowed, in practise, fewer nodes are frequently preserved. The trellis is a VSP with a fruiting wire at 60 to 90 cm (it may be higher in frost-prone areas), five fixed and two adjustable foliage wires, and a fruiting wire at 60 to 90 cm (it may be higher in frost-prone areas).

Summer pruning and hedging are standard operations with a start as early as the first half of June. Leaf removal in the bunch zone is carried out in July to late August. Mechanical harvesting is becoming more common on the flatter sites.

The maximum authorised yield for Grand Cru classification is up to 60 hL/ha (about 8.5 t/ha), with additional yield permitted in strong years. Lower categories can produce up to 100 hl/ha (14 t/ha). On average, harvest begins with Pinot Blanc and Muscat Blanc in mid-September and ends with Riesling in mid-October. Although the region is distinguished by 'German' grape varietals, the wines differ markedly from their German counterparts: Alsatian versions are more full-bodied and have greater alcohol content.

Alsace is a tribute to endurance and outstanding wine artistry, from its turbulent history to its vibrant vineyards. Embark on the Alsace Wine Route to unearth centuries of legacy and appreciate the unique charm of this French-German treasure. Begin your adventure through Alsace's breath-taking landscapes and savour the wonderful flavours of the region's renowned wines. Join us in celebrating the cultural blend and terroir characteristics that make Alsace an unmissable destination for wine connoisseurs worldwide.

For more wine region blogs Click Here!