Wines made from Altesse grapes of Alsace
Discover the best wines made with Altesse as a single variety or as a blend of Alsace.
The Altesse white grape variety is French in origin, but its ancestors were brought from Cyprus. It then developed in the vineyards of the southeast of the country. The Montagnieu fusette or arbane, as it is also called, buds early in the year. A cottony veil covers the first buds. The involuted blade and the U-shaped petiolar sinus distinguish the adult, three-lobed leaves. During, sometimes for late vengeance, the clusters of medium or small size are winged, compact and cylindrical.the fruits reveal a melting pulp under a film of variable color. The pink-tan colour replaces the early reddish yellow when the berries ripen. If they persist, the berries take on a lilac hue. The vinification promises sparkling, aromatic and elegant sweet whites, or dry whites. Altesse is a grape variety to be carefully maintained against acariosis and erinosis.
Alsace, located in the extreme north-east of France, is Distinguished from other French wine regions by its strong Franco-Germanic influences. These influences are the result of a back-and-forth between the German and French sovereignties over the last few centuries. They can be seen not only in the architecture and culture of Alsace, but also in the wines. Alsace wines are produced under three main appellations: Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru for still white wines (Sweet and Dry), and Crémant d'Alsace for Sparkling wines.