France is steeped in a rich history of winemaking with several regions renowned for their distinct terroir and quality wines. Navigating these regions can be tricky for new wine enthusiasts, but one region stands out for its approachable and accessible wines: Alsace.
Today, I’m going to share what makes Alsace both a sommelier favorite, and the perfect starting point for those taking their first step into the French wine scene.
An Intro to Alsace Wine
Alsace is nestled between Germany and Switzerland and is celebrated for producing a diverse range of still and sparkling wines. The sunny, dry climate and diverse terroir of the region make ideal growing conditions for several white grapes like Riesling and Pinot Gris. These wines are exceptionally food-friendly and often feature orchard and tropical notes with a hint of spice. Personally, I love pairing an Alsace white with Thai food. The floral, slightly spicy profile beautifully complements the sweet heat of dishes like Pad Thai or Panang Curry.
Alsace Riesling and The Sweet Misconception
Most people hear Riesling and think sweet, but in reality, most Alsace Rieslings are crafted in a dry style—the opposite of sweet. If you’ve been one to shy away from Rieslings for their sweet reputation, think again! An Alsace Riesling is a must-try for any wine lover, and I truly don’t believe you’ve lived until you’ve sipped on one.
Alsace Labels
Few French labels are as beginner-friendly as Alsace wines. Starting in 2021, Alsace introduced a standardized sweetness scale (regulated by the EU) to their label, bringing a new level of clarity and transparency to bottles from this region. Knowing the sweetness level of your wine selection is important not only for your own palate preferences, but for balancing flavors and guiding harmonious food pairings.
Remember, a wine’s sweetness is determined by its sugar content:
- Sec (dry) wine: sugar content under 4g/L. (This is where most Alsace Rieslings fall)
- Demi-sec (medium-dry) wine: sugar content of 4g/L-12g/L
- Moelleux (mellow) wine: sugar content of 12g/L-45g/L
- Doux (sweet) wine: sugar content above 45g/L
The scale can look one of two ways.
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A scale with an arrow indicating sweetness level.
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A label with the appropriate sweetness level term: sec, demi-sec, moelleux, or doux.
Alsace wines are also labeled by grape variety (e.g., Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Riesling) instead of wine region, which is the norm for most French wines. With a quick glance at an Alsace bottle, you can identify the grape variety and sweetness level, helping you navigate the region and feel confident in your chosen selection.
It’s easy to see why Sommeliers love sipping on Alsace wines and recommending them to their guests – new and seasoned wine enthusiasts alike. If you’re eager to learn more, @drinkalsace on Instagram is a great page to explore Alsace wine and food pairings, wine-making, and terroir.
If you’re looking for more encompassing wine education, check out my online wine course. The course consists of two self-paced modules, covering all the basics of wine, from ordering to tasting to understanding the different wine regions, with an entire section devoted to French wine.
Sources:
1: https://www.alsacerocks.com/
2: https://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/Canopy-Articles/alsace-standardises-sweetness-levels-on-labels.html