Top picks from Alsace as selected by our experts

Alsace is a diverse wine growing region. Due to a combination of ideal growing climate and varied soil types, an incomparable range of wines can be grown here, including some of the world’s finest aromatic wines.

Global demand for AOC still wines from Alsace and Crémants d'Alsace is on the rise, with over 37 million bottles of the regions wines exported last year, up 18% in terms of volume and 19% in value compared to the previous year.

To assist the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace (CIVA) in its selection of wines to be showcased at the upcoming ProWein 2022, the IWSC was asked to bring together a panel of industry experts. The IWSC recruited a handful of its judges with specialist knowledge of Alsace and its wines, having collectively visited the region many times.

The panel included ex-restraunter Roger Jones, Master Sommelier Eric Zwiebel, journalist and broadcaster David Kermode, and Corney & Barrow wine buyer Rebecca Palmer. Between them their mission was to narrow more than 90 Rieslings, Gewurztraminers and Cremant d’Alsace, down to a dozen, agreeing on a tight range to highlight the quality and diversity offered by these wines from Alsace. As you’ll see from the results below, the standard was so high the panel ended up settling on a total of 13 star Alsace wines. Read on to discover the 13 bottles that will be on show courtesy of CIVA at ProWein 2022.

AOC Alsace Crémant d'Alsace 

Domaine Zinck, Brut NV, Crémant d’Alsace (12.5%)

Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc

Residual sugar: 5g/l

Restrained floral nose with some stone fruit. Evolves beautifully on the palate, clean and bright with lovely autolytic characters and a long finish. 36 months on lees.

Domaine Viticole de la Ville de Colmar, Cuvée 1895 Brut NV, Crémant d’Alsace (12.8%)

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Residual sugar: 7.8g/l

Aromas of brioche and biscuit, leading to a rich, creamy palate. Nice definition, elegant yet refined with a delicate finish. 18 months on lees.

Dopff au Moulin, Brut 2017, Crémant d’Alsace (12.0%)

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Residual sugar: 3.2g/l

Clean, ripe and focused. Attractive mouse and an expanisve, mouth-coating texture with easy allure. Really lovely length and depth. 24 months on lees.

Arthur Metz, Terroir Schiste Brut NV, Crémant d’Alsace (12.5%)

Grape Varieties: Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris

Residual sugar: 6.5g/l

Fresh and vibrant, with aromas of blossom and citrus zest. Real energy on the palate, with some lovely crunch to the fruit. 12 months on lees.

AOC Alsace Riesling

Paul Ginglinger, Riesling 2019, Alsace Grand Cru Pfersigberg (13.3%)

Residual sugar: 3.5g/l

Intensely aromatic, combining tropical fruit notes with floral hints and delicate petrol aromas. Very fresh, evolves seemlessly in the glass. Organic.

Domaine Kirrenbourg, ‘K’ Riesling 2019, Alsace Grand Cru Schlossberg (13.5%)

Residual sugar: 7.6g/l

Enticing nose of grapefruit, mango and papaya, with lots of lime on the palate. Focused and full-flavoured, with fresh, ripe acidity.  Biodynamic.

Huber & Bleger, Eclat du Terroir Riesling 2019, Alsace (13.0%)

Residual sugar: 3.8g/l

Mineral nose, rich and complex. Lime notes combine beatifully with hints of exotic spices and slate.

Cave de Turckheim, Riesling 2018, Alsace Grand Cru Brand (13.0%) 

Residual sugar: 6.3g/l

Expressive aromas of apple, a lovely powdery, almost silky texture. Bright fruit intensity is balanced perfectly with citrus acidity.

Famille Hugel, Grossi Laüe Riesling 2012, Alsace (12.4%)

Residual sugar: 7.8g/l

Delicate, ethereal nose, beguiling hints of lime blossom. Austere, but has length and a sense of completeness.

AOC Alsace Gewurztraminer

Domaine-Saint-Remy, Gewurztraminer 2019, Alsace Grand Cru Hengst (12.5%)

Residual sugar: 44g/l

Attractive aromatics of candied fruits and frangipane. Intense and rich but balanced, with a tropical lychee finish. Biodynamic.

Frey-Sohler Gewurztraminer 2015, Alsace Grand Cru Frankstein (13.0%) 

Residual sugar: 31.3g/l

Elegant and floral aromas, wonderful varietal expression here. Evolving perfectly while retaining dynamism and freshness.

Lucien Albrecht, Gewurztraminer 2017, Alsace Grand Cru Spiegel (14.0%)

Residual sugar: 30g/l

Intense floral notes backed by classic varietal lychee and tropical fruit characters. Lovely purity and focus, this will age beautifully.

Véronique & Thomas Muré, Clos Saint Landelin Gewurztraminer 2017, Alsace Grand Cru Vorbourg Vendanges Tardives (13.5%) 

Residual sugar: 60g/l

Luxurious and rich, juicy fruited core with delicious candied pineapple flavours. Lingering, harmonious finish.  Organic.

Representing the winemakers producing and selling AOC Alsace wines, the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace (CIVA) looks forward to welcoming international visitors to Stand E74 in Hall 10 at Prowein 2022.