Alsace grand cru Spiegel

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The substrate consists of conglomerates composed mainly of sandstone pebbles and interstratified marls of Latdorfian age, partially covered by colluvium and sandy-sandstone scree.
• The soils derived from this substrate have a clay-sandy texture that promotes slow ripening of the grapes and preservation of their aromatic potential.
• The Vosges massif shields the vineyard from cool, humid north-westerly winds, creating a favourable mesoclimate on the east- to south-west-facing slopes. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The vineyard is established on steep slopes of the sous-vosgiennes foothills, within a homogeneous geo-pedological zone.

• The appellation is reserved exclusively for the white varieties riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris, muscat blanc à petits grains, muscat rose à petits grains, and muscat ottonel, with gewurztraminer being the most widely planted on the Spiegel.
• Wines bearing the Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles designations, produced from overripe grapes harvested by hand, must undergo a minimum ageing period of 18 months.

• The dry, aromatic wines display a colour intensity ranging up to golden yellow, while the Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles reach an amber yellow.
• Vendanges Tardives often show highly exotic and candied-fruit aromas, while Sélection de Grains Nobles, being more concentrated, often present aromas of fruit paste.

• The marls contribute power and a structured character to the wine, while the sandstone lends freshness and nerve.

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