Grand Cru Alsace

The Grand Cru system in Alsace was introduced in 1983, with the first 25 vineyards classified at that time. It denotes a wine from a single named vineyard site, from a single vintage, and from one of the four permitted varieties; Riesling, Muscat, Gewürztraminer, or Pinot Gris.

The maximum permitted yields are distinctively lower than for those the basic appellation Alsace, (70hl/ha vs. 55hl/ha). Wines undergo an official technical analysis and certification before release.

The system currently recognises 50 Grand Cru sites. Certain vineyards have always enjoyed an undeniable reputation for the high quality of their wines, thanks to the unique combination of soil, topography, and aspect of their site. The Grand Cru system encompasses the following sites:

Bas-Rhin
Altenberg de Bergbieten, Bruderthal, Engelberg Frankstein, Kastelberg, Kirchberg de Barr , Moenchberg, Muenchberg (fantastic Riesling and Pinot Gris from André Ostertag.), Praelatenberg, Steinklotz, Winzenberg.

Haut-Rhin

• Brand (Turckheim, 57.95 ha) One of the most acclaimed Grands Crus. Top wines, particularly Gewurztraminer, from Zind Humbrecht)
• Goldert (Zind Humbrecht is amongst the top growers showcasing superb Muscats)
  Hengst (featuring classy wines from Zind Humbrecht)
• Rangen ( Zind Humbrecht coaxes suberb wines from this well-known Grand Cru site)

as well as Altenberg de Bergheim, Altenberg de Wolxheim, Eichberg, Florimont, Froehn , Furstentum , Geisberg, Gloeckelberg, Hatschbourg, Kanzlerberg, Kessler (excellent Gewurztraminer), Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé, Kitterlé, Mambourg, Mandelberg, Marckrain , Ollwiller, Osterberg , Pfersigberg Pfingstberg, Rosacker (on wine labels appears as lieux-dit Clos Ste-Hune, owned by Trimbach ), Saering (famed for its Rieslings), Schlossberg, Schoenenberg, Sommerberg, Sonnenglanz, Spiegel , Sporen, Steinert, Steingrubler, Vorbourg, Wiebelsberg, Wineck-Schlossberg, Zinnkoepflé, Zotzenberg.