Alsace grand cru Engelberg

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• South/south-east-facing slope of a sub-Vosges hill, exposed from east to south-west, with a steep gradient.
• Soils developed over very dense marls resting on a limestone bedrock, well drained with a balanced water supply.
• Protection from moist north-westerly winds provided by the Vosges massif, promoting a favourable mesoclimate.
• Soils belonging to a single geo-pedological unit, associated with a mesoclimate described as 'among the most favourable'.

• The only Alsace grand cru to permit sylvaner B, alongside riesling, gewurztraminer, and pinot gris.
• AOC recognised in 1992; hand-harvesting mandatory, minimum vine density of 4,500 vines/ha, bottling required in Alsace.

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

• The dense marls yield powerful, rich wines with an 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