Alsace

Tucked between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine, Alsace is the only French region whose AOC system is overwhelmingly based on variety labelling. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat and Pinot Blanc dominate, producing wines from bone-dry to lusciously sweet (Vendanges Tardives, Sélection de Grains Nobles). The 51 Grands Crus sites express granitic, limestone, volcanic and sandstone soils. Crémant d'Alsace is one of France's most important traditional-method sparkling wines outside Champagne; Pinot Noir is increasingly serious as warming improves ripeness in the cool continental climate.