Alsace grand cru Muenchberg

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The Muenchberg vineyard is underlain by conglomerates and breccias with volcano-detrital elements, described elsewhere as puddingstones derived from deposits occasionally rich in volcanic tuffs and ash.
• The stony, sandy soils of this zone are poor, highly free-draining, and warm up rapidly, consistent with the description of a poor soil with good drainage and fast warming.
• The lieu-dit nestles within a crescent-shaped hillside, sheltered from rain and westerly winds by the Ungersberg, a named relief feature that protects the site.
• The Vosges massif shields the vineyard from cool, moisture-laden north-westerly winds, allowing establishment on steep, well-exposed slopes facing east through south-west.
• The prevailing westerly winds shed much of their moisture on the western flank of the Vosges and arrive in Alsace as a foehn, drier and warmer in character. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• The Alsace grand cru Muenchberg appellation d'origine contrôlée was recognised in 1992, while the first Alsatian grand crus had been recognised as early as the decree of 20 November 1975.
• The vineyard is trained on a tall trellis system to achieve an optimal leaf-canopy surface area, with a minimum planting density of 4,500 vines per hectare and hand-harvesting of the grapes.
• Wines bearing the Vendanges Tardives or Sélection de Grains Nobles designations are made from over-ripe and fragile grapes harvested by hand, and must undergo a minimum of 18 months' ageing.

• These age-worthy white wines display a pronounced freshness underpinned by a dominant tartaric acidity, allied with good grape ripeness.
• The dry, mineral wines as well as the aromatic, fruity, full-bodied, and rich wines show a sustained depth of colour ranging up to golden yellow.
• Vendanges Tardives wines often display highly exotic aromas and notes of candied fruit with a fresh finish, while Sélection de Grains Nobles wines are more concentrated, often showing fruit-paste aromas.
• Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles wines are sweet wines of very long keeping potential, with remarkable concentration and great aromatic persistence.

• The sandstone present in the soil lends finesse to the wine, while the volcanic ash contributes strength and persistence.
• The excellent late-season climatic conditions favour concentration on the vine and the development of noble rot, enabling the harvesting of over-ripe 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