Alsace grand cru Altenberg de Wolxheim

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• South/south-east facing slope of a sub-Vosges foothill, exposed from east to south-west, with a steep gradient.
• Soils: very dense marls over a limestone bedrock, well drained, ensuring a balanced water supply to the vines.
• A homogeneous geo-pedological unit combined with a favourable mesoclimate, characteristic of the sub-Vosges foothills.
• The Vosges massif shields the vineyard from cool, humid north-westerly winds (foehn effect).

• Four white varieties are permitted: riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris, and sylvaner, each of which may be vinified under its own varietal designation.
• Hand harvesting is mandatory; the VT and SGN designations require a minimum of 18 months of ageing.

• Dry wines are mineral or aromatic/fruity/full, with a golden-yellow colour; VT wines (exotic aromas, candied fruit) and SGN wines (fruit paste) range through to amber yellow.
• Long ageing potential: dry wines gain complexity over time; VT and SGN wines are described as 'sweet wines of very long keeping ability' with 'remarkable concentration'.

• Marly soils yield full-bodied, rich wines with elegant salinity and great aromatic finesse.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF), JORF 29 juin 2016,
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — CIVA