Sweet Wines (6): Alsace

In this historically and traditionally Franco-German region it is hard to choose between a Riesling or a Pinot Gris. But no matter what one’s tastes may be, for those who love sweet wine Alsace is a must.
The unique characteristics of its wines make Alsace is one of the most famous and sought after regions for those who love sweet wines. It is a relatively small strip of territory in eastern France on the border with Germany, which in the past controlled this area and where German is still spoken and is used for the names of its wines, similar to the situation in Alto Adige-Südtirol.
The region is for the most part known for its white wines, made primarily from Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Grigio, except for a Pinot Noir which is practically the only red varietal cultivated. The particular climate here allows the grape to ripen to the extreme, permitting late harvest wines, and the frequent attack of Noble Rot in the autumn produces grapes that are best suited to produce some of the world’s greatest sweet wines.
The following selection is not definitive but certainly yummy.