The Elegance of Alsace

Except for Edelzwicker, a light, refreshing wine with a discernible sparkle, made from a mixture of local grape varieties, most of whose diminishing production is dispensed in Alsatian brasseries by the pitcher in the year following the vintage, the wines of Alsace are made from single grape varieties: Sylvaner, Pinot blanc, Riesling, Tokay-Pinot gris, Gewürztraminer, Muscat d’Alsace and Pinot noir. It is white wine country; Pinot noir, the only red variety, from which vin rosé and very light-colored, sometimes greyish, reds are made, is raised mostly for the form. Sylvaner and Pinot blanc, good apéritif, charcuterie and hors d’oeuvre wines, have a less pronounced varietal character than the other Alsatian white varieties.