Alsace grand cru Osterberg

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The soils are marly and stony, derived from a major shelly limestone known as Muschelkalk, associated with variegated marls and dolomitic limestones.
• The Vosges massif shields the vineyard from cool, humid north-westerly winds, allowing it to be planted on well-exposed slopes facing east to south-west.
• The vineyard ripens relatively late, being under the influence of winds from the Aubure valley, and grape maturation there is often prolonged.
• To the east of the vineyard, soils are formed principally from the Lettenkohle, comprising dolomitic limestones and variegated marls. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• The controlled designation of origin 'Alsace grand cru Osterberg' was recognised in 1992, later than the first twenty-five Alsace grand crus.
• The vineyard is trained on a tall trellis system to maximise leaf-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 produced from over-ripe and delicate 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 to good grape maturity.
• The dry and mineral wines as well as the aromatic, fruity, full and rich wines show a sustained depth of colour extending to deep golden yellow.
• Vendanges Tardives wines often display highly exotic aromas and candied fruit with a fresh finish, while Sélection de Grains Nobles yields more concentrated wines with fruit-paste aromas.
• Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles wines are sweet wines of exceptional longevity, remarkable concentration and great aromatic persistence.

• The late-ripening character of this grand cru contributes to the development of a complex and well-defined acidity and salinity, giving balanced, powerful wines free of heaviness.
• The excellent late-season climatic conditions favour concentration on the vine and the development of noble rot, enabling the production of wines from over-ripe harvests.

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