Alsace grand cru Hengst

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 composed of very dense marls over a limestone bedrock, ensuring effective drainage and a well-balanced water supply.
• A unique geo-pedological unit combined with a favourable mesoclimate, characteristic of the appellation.
• The Vosges massif shields the vineyard from cool, humid north-westerly winds, encouraging establishment on the sub-Vosges slopes. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• AOC recognised in 1992; the only permitted grape varieties are riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris and sylvaner — the inclusion of sylvaner being a rare distinction.
• Hand-harvesting is mandatory; 'vendanges tardives' and 'sélection de grains nobles' require a minimum of 18 months' ageing.

• Age-worthy white wines: dominated by tartaric acidity, with great body, complexity and aromatic power that develops over time.
• VT: exotic aromas and candied fruit, with a colour ranging up to amber-yellow; SGN: more concentrated, with fruit-paste aromas and excellent keeping potential.

• Dense marls → 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.

Sources

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