Alsace Grand Cru is the appellation for the best still white wines in the Alsace region of northeastern France. Created in 1983, the appellation is based on a classification of the region's Vineyards made in 1975 and has been subject to several subsequent revisions. An Alsace Grand Cru wine is - almost without exception - produced from a single Grape variety. This will be indicated on the label, along with the name of the vineyard where the grapes were grown.
The grape varieties permitted under the appellation laws are Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat. A small number of exceptions to this rule have emerged in recent years - the result of vigorous lobbying by local producers. The vineyards of Altenberg de Bergheim, Kaefferkopf and Zotzenberg are allowed to produce blended wines, each with its own permitted varieties and relative proportions. The promotion of Kaefferkopf to Grand Cru status and the delimitation of the appellation caused a controversy that made headlines in France.
