Located in northeastern France along the border with Germany, Alsace is one of France's most distinctive wine regions — geographically, culturally and stylistically. The vineyards stretch approximately 170 kilometers (about 106 miles) north to south, nestled between the Rhine River to the east and the Vosges Mountains to the west. The Vosges create a natural rain shadow that makes Alsace one of the driest wine regions in France despite its northern latitude, allowing grapes to ripen reliably each year.

The region's dual French-German heritage — it changed hands between the two countries several times between 1871 and 1945 — is evident in everything from its architecture and cuisine to its winemaking traditions. Most notably, unlike nearly every other French wine region, Alsace labels its wines by grape variety rather than by appellation, a practice common in Germany.

Alsace is known primarily for crisp, aromatic white wines, sparkling wines and late-harvest dessert wines. Four grapes are designated as "Noble" varieties: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat. Other grapes grown in the region include Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Chasselas and Klevener (a local variant of Savagnin Rose). Pinot Noir is the only red grape, used for light reds and rosé. Wines here are traditionally bottled in the tall, slender "flute d'Alsace" bottle, another nod to the region's German influences.

Alsace AOC (established 1962) — Covers nearly three-quarters of all Alsace wine production. Wines are labeled by grape variety and are typically made from a single grape or an approved blend. The Edelzwicker blend (from multiple permitted grapes) and Gentil (a blend led by the Noble grapes) are two well-known examples from this appellation.

Alsace Grand Cru AOC (established 1983) — Alsace's finest wines, drawn from 51 designated Grand Cru vineyard sites. Only the four Noble grapes — Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat — may be used, and yields are strictly limited. Wines must carry the name of the specific Grand Cru vineyard on the label. Well-known Grand Cru sites include Schlossberg, Rangen, Brand, Hengst and Goldert.

Crémant d'Alsace AOC (established 1976) — Home to Alsace's sparkling white and rosé wines, made using the traditional method (méthode traditionnelle). Permitted grapes include Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Auxerrois, Riesling and Chardonnay. These wines are typically non-vintage and are best enjoyed fresh.

Alsace also produces two prestigious categories of late-harvest wines, both formally regulated since 1984:

Vendange Tardive — "Late harvest." Made from very ripe, sometimes overripe grapes, these wines are rich and full-bodied, ranging from off-dry to sweet depending on the vintage.

Sélection de Grains Nobles — Alsace's most prized dessert wines, made from individually selected botrytis-affected grapes ("noble rot"). Intensely sweet, complex and capable of very long aging.