Alsace is gaining more and more interest from wine enthusiasts of late, particularly thanks to the prices we see for some really interesting cuvées. Here is a review of how the Alsace region has performed in the first half of 2020.

Top Alsace lots

In our ranking of top lots, we have quite a notable top 3 in that they are each quite different from one another: we have the integrity of Trimbach’s Riesling Clos Sainte-Hune, the fullness of Deiss’ Schoenenbourg and the classicism of Maison Hugel. The highest-priced lot is composed of 3 bottles of 2001 Riesling Clos Sainte-Hune from Domaine Trimbach, which was sold for €626. This is a wine that often appears at the top of our ranking tables, as was the case in 2019 with 3 bottles of this cuvée (Vendanges Tardives Hors Choix) in the fine 1989 vintage, sold for €1,885. Nevertheless, this region is bursting with affordable gems, the average selling price by unit standing at €61 in this ranking. Out of the 20 lots in this table, there is only one large format, with 3 magnums of 2001 Riesling grand cru Zinnkoepflé Vendange Tardive from Seppi-Landmann in 7^th place. This is very few compared to other regions such as Bordeaux where more generous bottles make up 25% of the overall ranking.

An important element to note is the share of biodynamic domains featured. 10 of the properties in the top 20 lots have biodynamic certification and, adding the 3 domains labelled organic, these two kinds of production take up 65% of the table. Moves towards alternative viticulture are clearly attracting wine lovers to this dynamic region.

In terms of the grape varieties found in this ranking, Alsace’s traditional grape – Riesling – is unsurprisingly the best-represented, featuring in no less than 70% of the cuvées listed. It is also no great surprise to see that there is only one red cuvée here, the 2017 Via Concordiae by Domaine Pierre Andrey – a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir – that we find in 19^th place. On the other hand, there are 6 lots of fine, dessert wines in the line-up, with second place going to the 2000 grand cru Schoenenbourg from Marcel Deiss and third place to the 1976 Riesling Sélection de Grains Nobles vendanges tardives from Domaine Hugel.

Top Alsace bottles

Let’s have a look at the highest-priced individual bottles now. In 1st place for the first six months of 2020 is another Riesling Clos Sainte-Hune from Domaine Trimbach, this time in magnum format and in the 2008 vintage. Then in 2^nd and 3^rd place we have Domaine Zind-Humbrecht with a 1993 Riesling grand cru Clos Saint Urbain Rangen de Thann and Domaine Hugel’s 1976 Riesling selection de Grains Nobles vendanges tardives. The average unit price for the top trio here is €94, demonstrating once more how the best bottles from this region remain relatively within reach.

Here again, half of the top 20 is represented by biodynamic domains, confirming the progression of a strong trend. We should also note the presence of some mature vintages: 1988, 1976, 1996 and 1983 all count among the cream of the crop. A temptation for large formats is also clear, as magnum bottles take up a quarter of the places.

In terms of colours and grape varieties, Riesling represents 60% of the bottle list (compared to 70% of lots), including all the cuvées in the top 4. Gewurztraminer represents 20% of the highest-priced list, and makes an appearance in 5^th place with a magnum of 2009 Altenbourg Vendanges Tardives from Albert Mann. The other varieties featured are Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Gamay. In the individual bottle ranking, the whites and the dessert wines are more balanced with 10 and 9 places respectively. There is just one red, again a 2017 Via Concordiae from Domaine Pierre Andrey, a recent domain with a tiny, natural production.

See all the Alsace cuvées on sale here