AOC Alsace Edelzwicker

The name Edelzwicker joins two words. In Alsace, “Zwicker” was the name for a blended wine, and “Edel,” noble, points to the so-called noble grapes that came to enrich those blends. On the label, Edelzwicker follows “Alsace” or “Vin d’Alsace,” and only still white wines may carry it.

From Vineyards Planted Mixed to a Blended Wine

Before blending happened in the winery, it long happened in the vineyard. From the Middle Ages until the phylloxera crisis, Alsace grape varieties were also grown mixed together, several of them side by side in the same plot. The wines from those vineyards were already called zwicker.

Today, Edelzwicker blends grapes allowed for AOC Alsace whites, with no set proportions. Each winemaker builds their own, from Sylvaner to Gewurztraminer, and the share of each grape can change from one bottling to the next, or even from year to year. Two Edelzwickers from the same year can therefore bring together very different grapes.

Because the term covers the whole AOC Alsace vineyard area, from granite to limestone soils, each site adds its own differences to those of the blend. AOC Alsace places Edelzwicker in both of its main white styles: dry and mineral, or fruity and rounder. Often light and fresh, it is an easygoing white to pour throughout a meal.

History of the AOC Alsace Edelzwicker Appellation

The AOC Alsace Edelzwicker spans the entire vineyard area of the AOC Alsace, resulting in a wide variety of wines depending on the soil, exposure, grape varieties used, and the identity of the estate. Highly appreciated by the locals, it is traditionally served in pitchers in many local bistros, also known as winstubs.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Alsace Edelzwicker Appellation

Climate: The Alsatian vineyard enjoys a semi-continental climate that is warm, dry, and sunny, sheltered by the Vosges mountains. This privileged geographical location allows it to be one of the vineyards with the lowest rainfall in France!

Soils: The AOC Alsace Edelzwicker appellation extends over a wide variety of soils (covering the entire Alsace vineyard), including granite, schist, limestone, slate, and gneiss.

Key Grape Varieties of the AOC Alsace Edelzwicker Appellation

The AOC Alsace Edelzwicker stands out among other Alsatian appellations. While most Alsatian wines are vinified from a single grape variety and are identified by their respective grapes, the Alsace Edelzwicker is a blended wine (zwicker means blend in Alsatian). As its name suggests (Edel meaning noble), the Edelzwicker can include Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, and Chasselas, along with the four “noble” grape varieties: Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer. The proportions of each grape variety depend on the estate and the winemaker’s intentions.

Style of AOC Alsace Edelzwicker Wines

Eye: Pale yellow color with straw reflections.

Nose: Very fruity, AOC Alsace Edelzwicker white wines reveal aromas of yellow fruits (apricot, peach), citrus, exotic fruits, and white flowers.

Mouth: Although its character varies depending on the grape varieties used, Edelzwicker is most often a supple, light, and fresh white wine on the palate.

Serving Temperature: 8°-10°C

Aging Potential: 1 to 3 years

Best Food Pairings with AOC Alsace Edelzwicker Wine

Here are some dish ideas to pair with a bottle of AOC Alsace Edelzwicker white wine from an estate or château:

• Choucroute
• Flammekueche
• Garlic and parsley snails
• Sushi
• Charcuterie board

Edelzwicker: Vintage, Winemaking and Pinot Noir

Can Edelzwicker Be Sold Without a Vintage?

Edelzwicker can be sold without a vintage: for this Alsace term, stating the harvest year is optional, according to the Alsace wine council. By contrast, Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles must always show their vintage.

Are the Grapes in an Edelzwicker Fermented Together?

The grapes in an Edelzwicker can be fermented together or separately, according to the Alsace wine council. In the first case, they share the same tank; in the second, each variety makes its own wine, which the winemaker blends afterward.

Can Edelzwicker Include Pinot Noir?

Edelzwicker can include Pinot Noir: this dark-skinned grape is among the varieties allowed for AOC Alsace white wines. Its juice is clear, so it is vinified as a white, pressed before the skins can color it, and the Edelzwicker stays a still white wine.

Where Can You Buy Edelzwicker Direct from the Winemaker?

You can buy Edelzwicker direct from the winemaker on Avenue des Vins. Each bottle is shipped by the producer who made it, with no middleman.

See also: AOC Alsace Sylvaner - AOC Alsace Pinot Blanc - AOC Alsace Pinot Gris