Wines of Alsace

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The vineyards of Alsace play an important role in the history of Alsace. Wine growing was developed by the Romans, then revived by the Merovingians and Carolingians. From the Middle Ages onwards, Alsace wines were among the most prestigious in Europe. The 16th century marked the heyday of Alsatian viticulture, a prosperous period that came to an end with the Thirty Years' War. 

At the end of World War I, Alsace's vineyards regained their prestige. Winegrowers decided to focus on typical grape varieties and committed to a policy of quality. From 1945 onwards, production had to comply with strict rules governing production and winemaking. The Alsace AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée) was recognized in 1962. Today, it represents more than 70% of the region's wines. 

In Alsace, it is the grape varieties that give their names to the wines, not the region. The grape varieties used for Alsace white wines (90% of production) are Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris. Alsace red wines are made from Pinot Noir. Covering an area of 15,000 hectares, the Alsace vineyards stretch 120 km in length, often less than 1 km wide. The vineyards enjoy a semi-continental climate, with cold winters and hot, dry summers. Thanks to the Vosges mountain range to the west, the vineyards are protected from wind and rain.