Alsace grand cru Kessler

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Kessler is situated on the east-facing slope of the 'Unterlinger' hill and forms, at its centre, a natural amphitheatre that shelters it from northerly winds and cold air currents drawn down by the Guebwiller valley.
• This grand cru rests on a Vosgian sandstone substrate of Buntsandstein origin, which has given rise to reddish sandy-clay soils.
• At the base of the grand cru, a linear outcrop of shell limestone (Muschelkalk) appears, covered by sandy colluvium.
• The Vosges massif provides protection against cool, humid north-westerly winds, allowing the vineyard to find its ideal growing conditions on the well-exposed, steeply sloping east- to south-west-facing hillsides of the sub-Vosgian foothills.
• The landscape of the grand cru Kessler is characterised by terraced vine cultivation and a succession of stone walls.

• The controlled appellation of origin Alsace grand cru Kessler was recognised in 1983, as further confirmed by its inclusion among the first twenty-four geographical names of the appellation.
• The only permitted grape varieties are Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot gris, and Muscats à petits grains blancs, roses or Ottonel, which may be vinified and marketed under their respective variety names.
• The vineyard is trained on a high trellis system to maximise the leaf canopy surface area, with a minimum planting density of 4,500 vines per hectare and mandatory hand-harvesting of the grapes.
• Wines carrying the Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles designations are made from over-ripe and delicate grapes harvested by hand, with a minimum ageing period of 18 months.

• These age-worthy white wines are distinguished by a pronounced freshness underpinned by dominant tartaric acidity, reflecting good grape ripeness.
• The mineral dry wines and the aromatic, fruit-forward, rich, and full-bodied wines display a sustained depth of colour ranging through to golden yellow.
• Vendanges Tardives wines often show highly exotic and candied-fruit aromas with a fresh finish, while those in the Sélection de Grains Nobles style are more concentrated and powerful, with fruit-paste aromas.

• The homogeneity of the substrate allows the various grape varieties to express all their individual characteristics, yielding dry, mineral wines marked by vivacity and by floral and fruity aromas that are persistent and harmonious.
• The excellent late-season climatic conditions, which favour concentration on the vine and the development of noble rot, allow the production of wines made from over-ripe harvested grapes.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in France

Sources

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