What is Edelzwicker?

What is Edelzwicker?

• A. Blend of grapes all allowed in Alsace up to 8 varietals
• B. A blend of grapes only in Alsace up to 4 varietals
• C. A sparkling wine from Alsace
• D. A dessert wine from botrytis

Answer: (A)

Edelzwicker is the Alsace term for a white wine made from a blend of several of the region’s grape varieties rather than a single grape. The idea is a “noble blend” that can include multiple white varieties grown in Alsace, and under Alsace AOC rules the blend may include up to eight different varietals. This makes it a versatile, field-blend style rather than a varietal wine labeled by one grape. That’s why the best description is a blend of grapes all allowed in Alsace up to eight varietals. It’s not a sparkling wine (that would be Cremant d’Alsace), nor a botrytis-based dessert wine (that would be a SGN or VT style), and it isn’t defined by a four-varietal limit. If you see Edelzwicker, expect a mixed white wine from several Alsace grape varieties.

Edelzwicker is the Alsace term for a white wine made from a blend of several of the region’s grape varieties rather than a single grape. The idea is a “noble blend” that can include multiple white varieties grown in Alsace, and under Alsace AOC rules the blend may include up to eight different varietals. This makes it a versatile, field-blend style rather than a varietal wine labeled by one grape.

That’s why the best description is a blend of grapes all allowed in Alsace up to eight varietals. It’s not a sparkling wine (that would be Cremant d’Alsace), nor a botrytis-based dessert wine (that would be a SGN or VT style), and it isn’t defined by a four-varietal limit. If you see Edelzwicker, expect a mixed white wine from several Alsace grape varieties.