Alsace AOC

Technical Summary

• Classification: AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée)
• EU Registration: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
• Geographic scope: 119 communes along Rhine Valley, Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin departments
• Wine types: Predominantly white; limited red (Pinot Noir)
• Unique feature: Varietal labeling tradition (single variety stated on label)
• Hierarchy: Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru, Vendange Tardive, Sélection de Grains Nobles

Regulatory Constraints (Verified)

Authorized Varieties

White (primary):

• Riesling
• Gewürztraminer
• Pinot Gris
• Muscat (Muscat d’Alsace, Muscat Ottonel)
• Pinot Blanc
• Sylvaner
• Auxerrois

Red:

• Pinot Noir (sole red variety)

Noble varieties (Grand Cru eligible):

• Riesling

• Gewürztraminer

• Pinot Gris

• Muscat

• Source: Cahier des Charges AOC Alsace, Art. 5

Varietal Labeling

• Single variety wines: Must be 100% of stated variety
• Edelzwicker/Gentil: Blends permitted without varietal mention
• Source: Cahier des Charges, Art. 8

Grand Cru Requirements

• 51 Grand Cru vineyards officially delimited
• Varieties permitted: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat only
• Maximum yield: 55 hl/ha (lower than regular Alsace)
• Minimum alcohol: Higher than regular Alsace (variety-specific)
• Source: Cahier des Charges AOC Alsace Grand Cru

Vendange Tardive (VT) Requirements

Variety	Minimum Must Weight
Riesling	220 g/L (sugar)
Muscat	220 g/L
Pinot Gris	243 g/L
Gewürztraminer	243 g/L

• No chaptalisation permitted
• Botrytis not required but common
• Source: Cahier des Charges, Art. 8

Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN) Requirements

Variety	Minimum Must Weight
Riesling	256 g/L
Muscat	256 g/L
Pinot Gris	279 g/L
Gewürztraminer	279 g/L

• No chaptalisation permitted
• Berry-by-berry selection (botrytis-affected)
• Source: Cahier des Charges, Art. 8

Yield Limits

Category	Maximum Yield
Alsace (standard)	80 hl/ha
Alsace Grand Cru	55 hl/ha
Crémant d’Alsace	80 hl/ha

• Source: Cahier des Charges, Art. 7

Enological Implications

Evidence-Backed Implications

Varietal purity requirement:

• 100% varietal requirement for labeled wines
• Forces single-variety winemaking
• Terroir expression through variety lens

VT and SGN specifications:

• Must weight requirements ensure concentration
• No chaptalisation forces natural ripeness
• SGN requires botrytis selection

Grand Cru limitations:

• Only 4 varieties eligible (noble varieties)
• Excludes Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc from Grand Cru
• Elevates noble variety hierarchy

Operational Observations

Sweetness disclosure challenge:

• Alsace wines vary from dry to sweet
• Indice de Sucrosité scale introduced
• Consumer education ongoing

Indice de Sucrosité scale:

• 1 = Dry
• 2 = Medium-dry
• 3 = Medium-sweet
• 4 = Sweet
• 5 = Very sweet (Moelleux)
• Not mandatory but increasingly used

Frequent Compliance Risks

Varietal Purity Violations

• Risk: Blending in non-labeled variety
• Impact: Cannot use varietal label
• Mitigation: Strict varietal tracking

VT/SGN Must Weight Documentation

• Risk: Insufficient must weight at harvest
• Impact: Cannot claim VT/SGN designation
• Mitigation: Must weight measurement; laboratory certification

Grand Cru Variety Restrictions

• Risk: Using non-noble variety for Grand Cru
• Impact: Cannot label as Grand Cru
• Mitigation: Only plant noble varieties in Grand Cru sites

Relevant Grape Varieties

• Riesling — noble variety; Grand Cru eligible
• Gewürztraminer — noble variety; Grand Cru eligible
• Pinot Noir — sole red variety
• Chardonnay — permitted for Crémant d’Alsace only

References

1. Cahier des Charges AOC Alsace

   • INAO
   • URL: https://www.inao.gouv.fr/

2. Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace (CIVA)

   • URL: https://www.vinsalsace.com/

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Last Updated: January 6, 2026