In much of the post– World War II era, wine styles in Alsace and Germany diverged, as Alsace wines remained fully fermented, that is dry, to a large extent because they were intended to be paired with food. In the early history of the Alsace wine industry, they were traded together with other German wines since Rhine provided the means to transport the wines. Ī 2000 vintage Alsace wine labelled Tokay Pinot gris.Īn important influence in the history of Alsace wine has been the repeated changes of nationality of the Alsace region, which has passed from France to Germany and vice versa several times throughout history. 25% of the production is exported, and the five largest export markets for still Alsace wine in terms of volume are Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and the United States. Of the vineyard surface, 78% was classified for the production of AOC Alsace wines, 4% for AOC Alsace Grand Cru, and 18% for AOC Crémant d'Alsace.

In 2006, vines were grown on 15,298 hectares (37,800 acres) in 119 villages in Alsace, and 111.3 million litres of wine was produced, corresponding to 148.4 million bottles of 750 ml, generating 478.8 million euro in revenue. Both dry and sweet white wines are produced.

Wines are produced under three different AOCs: Alsace AOC for white, rosé and red wines, Alsace Grand Cru AOC for white wines from certain classified vineyards and Crémant d'Alsace AOC for sparkling wines. Along with Austria and Germany, it produces some of the most noted dry Rieslings in the world as well as highly aromatic Gewürztraminer wines. Because of its Germanic influence, it is the only Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée region in France to produce mostly varietal wines, typically from similar grape varieties to those used in German wine. Map of Alsace with the location of the wine-growing region and some villages marked.Īlsace wine or Alsatian wine ( French: Vin d'Alsace German: Elsässer Wein Haut Rhin Alsatian: d'r Wii vum Elsàss Bas Rhin Alsatian: de Win vum Elsàss) is produced in the Alsace region in France and is primarily white wine.

Alsace wine maps