Alsace grand cru Marckrain

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• South/south-east-facing slope of a sub-Vosges foothill, well exposed and steeply inclined.
• Very dense marl soils over a limestone bedrock, ensuring balanced drainage and water supply.
• Protection afforded by the Vosges massif against cool, humid north-westerly winds, generating a favourable mesoclimate. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• Soils belonging to a single geo-pedological unit, associated with a mesoclimate described as 'among the most favourable'.

• AOC recognised in 1992, including sylvaner B alongside riesling, gewurztraminer, and pinot gris, all exclusive white varieties.
• Hand-harvesting compulsory; Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles require a minimum of 18 months' ageing.

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

• The dense marls yield 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