Red wines from Alsace

Alsace red wine is still relatively unknown to the general public, even though the Alsace vineyard now produces red wines of great finesse and elegance. Mainly made from Pinot Noir, it stands out for its fruity profile, notes of cherry and red berries, and silky tannins.

Originally from Burgundy, Alsace Pinot Noir has adapted perfectly to the region’s limestone terroirs and varied soils. Today, Alsatian winemakers offer a wide diversity of styles: old-vine cuvées, organic Pinot Noir, oak-aged wines, and great reserve selections from remarkable vintages such as 2020, 2022, 2023 or 2024.

Discover a full range of Alsace red wines at the best price, directly from the producer, with delivery straight from the estate cellar.

Alsace Red Wine, an Elegant Pinot Noir

The Alsace vineyard is historically renowned for its white wines, made from emblematic white grape varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat and Sylvaner. These aromatic wines have long shaped the image of Alsace wines.

Yet within this landscape dominated by whites, Pinot Noir has gradually found its place and today gives rise to elegant and fruity Alsace red wines.

The Refinement of Pinot Noir

This Burgundian grape variety is now the only one authorised to produce Alsace red wine.

It is grown on hillsides and limestone or clay-limestone soils, producing wines with a ruby-red colour, aromas of red berries, cherry and sometimes undergrowth.

Some winemakers work with old vines, whose grapes produce more intense, structured wines with strong ageing potential.

The Alsace Vineyard, a Terroir Suited to Refinement

The Alsatian terroir plays an essential role in the personality of Alsace red wine. The Alsace plain, protected by the Vosges mountains, benefits from a relatively dry climate that encourages good grape ripening.

The diversity of soils, especially limestone, granite and clay, allows winemakers to produce cuvées with varied profiles. Some estates even offer Pinot Noirs from Alsace Grand Cru terroirs, providing an even more complex expression of the region.

Wine Styles for Every Palate

Fruity, Elegant and Accessible Reds

Most Alsace red wines are defined by a fruity, supple and elegant style. Their tannins are generally fine and silky, making these wines especially enjoyable when young.

During tasting, aromas of red berries, cherry and sometimes small black fruits are easy to identify. During vinification, some wines also develop slightly spicy or oaky notes.

Discover Special Cuvées: Old Vines, Organic Pinot Noir and Grande Réserve

Today, many Alsatian winemakers showcase their expertise through more ambitious cuvées:

• Organic Pinot Noir, from vineyard plots farmed under organic practices
• Old-vine cuvée, more concentrated and complex
• Grande Réserve, aged in oak barrels, offering greater structure and elegance

Their aromas create more complex tasting experiences, revealing the full richness of the Alsatian terroir and the potential of Pinot Noir.

How to Recognise and Buy a Good Alsace Red Wine

To recognise a good Alsace Pinot Noir, several concrete criteria can guide your choice.

First, the vintage: warm and sunny years produce more concentrated and full-bodied wines, while cooler vintages give rise to finer and more delicate Pinot Noirs.

Then, the ageing style: a Pinot Noir aged in stainless steel tanks will preserve freshness and fruit, while oak-barrel ageing will bring more structure, roundness and woody notes.

Finally, the type of cuvée reflects the winemaker’s level of precision in grape selection and yield control.

On the palate, a good Alsace Pinot Noir shows a ruby-red colour, aromas of cherry, raspberry and sometimes sweet spices, with a fine and lightly tannic finish.

On Avenue des Vins, you can buy your Alsace red wine through a short supply chain, directly from the winemaker. The bottles remain in the estate cellar until the order is placed, then are shipped by the producer. This buying method also allows you to better understand the work carried out at the estate, from grape harvest to wine production, while discovering Alsace wines at the best price and guaranteeing the authenticity of the cuvées and the quality of the vintages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alsace Red Wine

Pinot Noir: grape variety or AOC ?

In Alsace, unlike in Bordeaux or Burgundy, the grape variety is often displayed on the label. For this reason, some people sometimes think that "Pinot Noir" is an appellation. In reality, it is indeed a grape variety.

Can Alsace red wines be aged in oak barrels ?

Yes. Some Alsace Pinot Noirs are aged in oak barrels, which gives the wine more structure, complexity and refinement.

What is the difference between Alsace red wine and Alsace rosé ?

Alsace red wine is obtained through a longer maceration of the grapes, whereas rosés are often made from a shorter Pinot Noir maceration, resulting in a lighter wine.