📍 Alsace

Alsace is a narrow strip of vineyards in eastern France, between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine, on the German border. The region is split into two departments: Bas-Rhin in the north and Haut-Rhin in the south. It is one of France's main white-wine zones.

The Vosges shelter the vineyards from rain, so it is relatively dry and sunny, especially around Colmar. Soils vary greatly: granite, limestone, schist, sandstone and volcanic rocks. Wines are sold in tall, slim bottles and labelled by grape, which is unusual in France.

The main noble grapes are Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat. Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois and Pinot Noir (for reds and rosés) are also grown. 51 sites hold grand cru status: special slopes with their own rules. Late-harvest and noble-rot wines have the categories Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles. The sparkling wine is Crémant d'Alsace.

Wines range from dry to off-dry to sweet, so on the label it is worth checking the grape and the sugar level. Alsace borders Baden across the Rhine and often resembles German regions in grapes, but its wines are usually fuller and drier. They go well with sauerkraut, smoked meats and the local Munster cheese.