The Grapes: Noble and Not

The Noble Varieties

Riesling: The King - 23% of plantings - Alsace's most prestigious grape - Bone dry to lusciously sweet - Petroleum, citrus, mineral notes - Ages for decades

Gewürztraminer: The Diva - 20% of plantings - "Gewürz" means spice - Lychee, rose, ginger - Lower acidity, higher alcohol - Love it or hate it intensity

Pinot Gris: The Shape-Shifter - 15% of plantings - Nothing like Italian Pinot Grigio - Rich, sometimes smoky - Ranges from dry to sweet - Mushroom and honey notes

Muscat: The Aromatic - 2% of plantings - Two types: Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat Ottonel - Grapey but usually dry - Perfect aperitif - Increasingly rare

The Others

Sylvaner: The Underdog - Light, fresh, food-friendly - Undergoing quality renaissance - Excellent value

Pinot Blanc: The Crowd-Pleaser - Actually often Auxerrois - Round, approachable - Base for Crémant d'Alsace - Switzerland's Chasselas similar

Pinot Noir: The Red - Only red grape allowed - Light, elegant style - Climate change improving quality - Still minority of production