🏷️ Edelzwicker
French traditional term in German for PDO Alsace wines made from one or more grape varieties set in the appellation's specification.
Edelzwicker is a French traditional term, registered in German in the EU register of traditional terms. According to the register, it covers wines of the protected designation of origin Alsace made from one or more grape varieties listed in the specification of that designation. The term may only be used for these PDO wines; other countries or regions do not use it.
The name roughly means "noble blend", and it is most often seen on Alsace blends. Under the register, however, the term does not itself require a blend: what counts is the PDO specification and the varieties it allows. On this site the term sits in the section on blends and varietal wines and is linked to the Alsace appellation.
Why it matters to you. Edelzwicker on a label tells you that you have an Alsace PDO wine, often a blend, rather than a single named grape variety. Like any wine, it contains alcohol: according to the WHO, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| EU category | Wine with a PDO |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | traditional term, Reg. (EU) 1308/2013 Art. 112; eAmbrosia register |
| Country | France |
| Region | PDO Alsace |
How it connects to Wine
🏷️ Edelzwicker → kind of → 🍇 Blends and varietal wines → kind of → 🍷 Types of wine → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Part of
- 🍇 Blends and varietal wines
- Where it applies
- 📍 Alsace
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Blend
Frequently asked questions
What does Edelzwicker on a label mean?
A PDO Alsace wine made from one or more varieties allowed by the appellation's specification.
Why is a French term written in German?
The EU register assigns the term to France but records it in German: it is a traditional Alsace name.
Is it true that Edelzwicker is always a blend of several varieties?
Not necessarily. Under the register definition the wine may come from one or more varieties set in the specification, though it is most often a blend.
Similar
🏷️ Alsace Grand Cru · 🍷 Bikavér
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.
Sources
- eAmbrosia – EU register of traditional terms: Edelzwicker
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, Art. 112–113
- EUR-Lex: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (traditional terms)
- Wikidata: Q1283481