A ribbon of fairy-tale villages along the German border, Alsace is France’s great white-wine region — and the one place where the label actually tells you the grape.
Alsace, in northeastern France against the German border, is like nowhere else in the country: half-timbered villages, a Germanic accent, and gloriously aromatic white wines. Sheltered from rain by the Vosges mountains, it is dry, sunny, and — for the visitor — unusually easy to navigate, thanks to one of France’s oldest and most scenic wine routes.
Four noble grapes, named on the label
Alsace is unusual in France for labeling its wines by grape variety rather than place, which makes tasting refreshingly straightforward. Its four “noble” grapes are Riesling (dry and mineral), Gewürztraminer (exotic and spicy), Pinot Gris (rich and smoky), and Muscat (dry and fragrant) — joined by Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, red Pinot Noir, and the region’s excellent Crémant d’Alsace sparkling wine.
The Alsace Wine Route
The Route des Vins d’Alsace runs about 170 kilometers along the foothills of the Vosges, threading together storybook villages like Riquewihr, Eguisheim, and Ribeauvillé, with the elegant city of Colmar at its heart. It is one of the most beautiful and self-guide-friendly wine drives in Europe — well signposted, with wineries and caveaux welcoming visitors in nearly every village.
Storybook villages, aromatic whites, and a wine route made for wandering — Alsace is France at its most charming.
Self-guided tips
Base yourself in Colmar or a wine-route village and take the route in easy stages — the villages are close together and very walkable. Many growers welcome drop-ins, though booking is polite for smaller estates. Bring a designated driver, and look for the 51 Grand Cru vineyards if you want to taste the region’s finest sites.
| Where | Northeastern France, along the German border below the Vosges |
|---|---|
| Signature wines | Aromatic whites: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat |
| Unusual for France | Wines are labeled by grape variety |
| Getting around | Follow the Route des Vins; base in Colmar; bring a driver |
Curious about the region’s signature grape? Read our profile of Riesling, or trace the wider story on the Wine History Timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What wine is Alsace known for?
Aromatic white wines from its four noble grapes — Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat — plus Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, some Pinot Noir, and Crémant d’Alsace sparkling wine.
What is the Alsace Wine Route?
The Route des Vins d’Alsace is a roughly 170-km signposted drive along the Vosges foothills, linking historic wine villages from north to south, with Colmar at its center. It’s ideal for a self-guided visit.
Related reading: the Riesling grape · self-guided Burgundy · self-guided vs guided tours
Read before you go
Books we recommend for France and aromatic whites.
The World Atlas of WineHugh Johnson & Jancis Robinson
The Sommelier’s Atlas of TasteRajat Parr & Jordan Mackay
Wine Folly: Magnum Edition — The Master GuideMadeline Puckette & Justin HammackAs an Amazon Associate, Wine History Tours earns from qualifying purchases. This supports our research at no extra cost to you.
