Alsace grand cru Geisberg
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Gewurztraminer (Gewuerztraminer)Muscat À Petits Grains BlancsMuscat À Petits Grains RosesMuscat OttonelPinot GrisRiesling (Riesling Weiss)Pinot Noir
Accessory grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- South/south-east-facing slope of a sub-Vosges foothill, exposed from east to south-west, with a steep gradient.
- Soils of very dense marls over a limestone bedrock, well drained, ensuring a balanced water supply to the vines.
- The Vosges massif shields the vineyard from cool, moisture-laden north-westerly winds, creating a favourable mesoclimate.
Human factors
- The only Alsace grand cru to permit sylvaner: riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris, and sylvaner are all authorised grape varieties.
- AOC recognised in 1992; hand-harvesting is mandatory, minimum planting density 4,500 vines/ha, minimum ageing of 18 months for VT and SGN.
Product characteristics
- Age-worthy white wines: predominantly tartaric acidity, great concentration, and aromatic complexity and power that develop with time.
- VT: exotic aromas and candied fruit, colour ranging up to amber-yellow; SGN: more concentrated, with fruit-paste aromas and excellent ageing potential.
Terroir / wine link
- Marly soils → full-bodied, 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.