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FranceCurated by Michele Edington, Certified Sommelier
Alsace wine route villages (Riquewihr, Colmar) are common shore-excursion add-ons from Strasbourg. Christmas markets here are a major Nov-Dec draw.
Grapes
white: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Sylvaner, Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Chasselas, Klevener de Heiligenstein / Savagnin Rose
red: Pinot Noir
Wines & pairings
Alsace Riesling
Starters
- Choucroute garnie or terrine — Dry, bone-structured Alsace Riesling is built to cut through cured pork, richness, and sauerkraut tang.
- Tarte flambée (flammekueche) — The wine's acidity balances smoky bacon and crème fraîche while keeping the pairing feeling light.
- Munster cheese tart — Riesling's freshness reins in Munster's pungent character and prevents the pairing from becoming heavy.
Entrées
- Coq au Riesling — The dish is literally cooked in this wine, so the bottle on the table mirrors the sauce.
- Trout from the Vosges Mountains — Alsace Riesling highlights the fish's delicate texture while matching the region's preference for clean, precise flavors.
- Choucroute garnie — One of the classic regional pairings. Riesling cuts through sausage, pork, and sauerkraut better than almost any other wine.
- Baeckeoffe — This slow-cooked casserole of meat, potatoes, and onions loves Riesling's acidity, which keeps every bite from feeling too rich.
- Pork schnitzel with lemon — The wine's citrus notes echo the lemon while its acidity refreshes the palate after each bite.
Desserts
- Apple tart (Tarte aux Pommes) — Dry Riesling works surprisingly well with lightly sweet apple desserts because both share bright orchard-fruit character.
- Kugelhopf — The wine's fruit and floral notes complement this iconic Alsatian cake without overwhelming it.
- Pear tart — Riesling's apple, pear, and citrus flavors naturally mirror the fruit in the dessert.
- Alsatian fruit tart — Stone-fruit and orchard-fruit desserts often bring out the most expressive fruit notes in the wine.
Alsace Gewurztraminer
Starters
- Munster Tart (Tarte au Munster) — Gewürztraminer and Munster have grown up together in Alsace. The wine wraps floral perfume, lychee, and warm spice around the cheese, softening its intensity while letting its earthy character linger.
- Foie Gras with Brioche — Rich foie gras calls for a wine with equal generosity. Gewürztraminer brings ripe orchard fruit, rose petals, and gentle spice that settle naturally beside every buttery bite.
- Onion Tart (Tarte à l'Oignon) — Golden onions and buttery pastry pull the wine toward its softer side. Every sip layers floral aromas over sweet caramelized onions, creating a pairing that feels effortless.
Entrées
- Choucroute Garnie — Smoked sausages, cured pork, and tangy sauerkraut have anchored Alsatian tables for generations. Gewürztraminer threads ripe fruit and exotic spice through every bite, giving each forkful a fresh burst of aroma.
- Roast Chicken with Morels and Cream — Cream sauces seem to collect every floral note hiding inside Gewürztraminer. Morels add an earthy depth while the wine lifts the richness with apricot, spice, and rose.
- Baeckeoffe — Hours of slow cooking bring beef, pork, lamb, potatoes, and onions together into one comforting casserole. Gewürztraminer fills every spoonful with layers of baking spice, ripe fruit, and fragrant flowers that linger long after the last bite.
Desserts
- Kugelhopf (Late Harvest Gewürztraminer) — Late Harvest Gewürztraminer carries enough sweetness to meet this traditional cake while echoing its raisins, almonds, and warm baking spices.
- Pear Tart (Vendange Tardive recommended) — Honeyed pear and buttery pastry naturally pull Gewürztraminer toward its richest expression. A Vendange Tardive bottling adds layers of ripe fruit and floral perfume that seem woven into the dessert itself.
- Pain d'Épices (Vendange Tardive or Sélection de Grains Nobles) — Honey, cinnamon, clove, and orange peel all find familiar company in Gewürztraminer. Choose a noticeably sweet bottle here so the wine carries the same warmth and richness as the cake.
Cremant d'Alsace (sparkling)
Starters
- Seafood platter or canapes — A glass of Crémant d'Alsace has a way of waking everything up in these dishes. The oysters taste a little brinier, the shrimp a little sweeter, and suddenly everyone is reaching for another bite before they realize the bottle is already half gone.
- Gougères or Comté cheese puffs — Warm cheese pastries and sparkling wine are one of those combinations that seem almost unfair. The bubbles lift the richness while the toasted pastry notes in the wine quietly settle into the background like they belong there.
Entrées
- Trout with almonds and brown butter — Alsace sits between mountains, rivers, and vineyards, so pairings like this feel less invented than discovered. The fish stays delicate while the wine brings freshness to every buttery bite.
- Chicken with Riesling cream sauce — The sauce might be very rich, but Crémant never lets the meal feel heavy. Every sip sweeps the palate clean and somehow makes the next forkful taste even better than the last.
Desserts
- Fruit tart or macarons — The best sparkling wines don't compete with dessert. They frame it. The fruit tastes brighter, the pastry lighter, and the entire plate feels more refreshing than sweet.
- Apple tart — Alsace and apples have spent generations together. The orchard fruit notes in the wine seem to find their mirror in the tart, creating one of those pairings that feels effortlessly regional.
Featured along
- Rhine — Strasbourg, Breisach
Common questions
- What wine is Alsace known for?
- Alsace, in France, is known for Alsace Riesling, Alsace Gewurztraminer, Cremant d'Alsace (sparkling), made from grapes such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc.
- What grapes are grown in Alsace?
- Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Sylvaner, Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Chasselas, Klevener de Heiligenstein / Savagnin Rose, Pinot Noir.
- What food pairs with Alsace wines?
- Classic local pairings include Choucroute garnie or terrine, Choucroute Garnie, Apple tart (Tarte aux Pommes), Fruit tart or macarons, Coq au Riesling.