If you love German Riesling, it’s time to turn your attention slightly west — to Alsace. This cool continental region, tucked against the Vosges Mountains in northeast France, produces some of the most refined and expressive Rieslings in the world. And the bottle I’m sharing today — the 2021 Albert Mann Grand Cru Riesling — is a perfect example of what makes Alsace so compelling.
In this blog, you'll learn:
- why Alsace is a powerhouse for Riesling
- what “cool continental climate” really means
- why slopes and hand harvesting matter
- the impact of biodynamic farming
- what to expect from Grand Cru quality
- tasting profile & stylistic cues
Alsace: cool, continental, and perfect for Riesling
Alsace shares a similar climate influence to Champagne, Burgundy, and even Germany: cool temperatures, long growing seasons, and the ever-present risk of spring frost.
Being inland means:
- drier conditions
- reduced rainfall during ripening
- greater diurnal range
This allows Riesling to:
- retain acidity
- develop flavour slowly
- achieve concentration
- remain beautifully balanced
The Vosges Mountains play a crucial role, shielding vineyards from westerly rain-bearing winds. Many of the best sites sit on slopes — a common theme you’ll see across premium wine regions.
Why slopes matter
Steeper slopes =
- better drainage
- increased sun exposure
- protection from frost
- reduced disease pressure
They also dictate how the grapes are picked.
You can’t machine harvest on a slope — so hand picking is essential, which means:
- better grape selection
- less oxidation
- less damage
- only the best fruit makes it into the press
That’s one of the clearest distinctions between high-volume, inexpensive wines and premium, terroir-focused wines.
Add one more to the collection?🍷
Winemaking: preserving purity
Alsace Riesling is all about transparency and varietal expression.
That’s why the typical approach includes:
- fermentation in tank, not oak
- no malolactic fermentation, to retain crisp acidity
- reductive winemaking, meaning minimal oxygen exposure
Contrast that with Chardonnay:
malolactic brings buttery texture and soft acidity.
With Riesling?
We want:
- drive
- tension
- citrus lift
- minerality
So no malolactic = that clean, precise line of acidity.
Grand Cru status: the top of the hierarchy
Alsace has around 50 Grand Cru vineyards, and this Riesling sits at the top of that quality pyramid.
Grand Cru means:
- superior sites
- optimal slope and aspect
- stricter yields
- higher ripeness
- greater concentration
Simply put:
it’s a vineyard recognised as capable of producing the region’s most expressive wines.
And Albert Mann?
A respected biodynamic producer leading the charge in sustainable and terroir-driven viticulture.
Biodynamics: beyond organic
Organic viticulture focuses on reducing or eliminating pesticides. Biodynamics goes further, aiming to balance the vineyard ecosystem naturally by:
- introducing predator species
- preserving soil structure
- farming with seasonal & lunar rhythms
The goal:
wines that reflect site — not intervention.
That purity of terroir is especially powerful in Riesling, where minerality and aromatics speak loudly.
Add one more to the collection?🍷
The wine: what to expect in the glass
This Grand Cru Riesling delivers everything you expect from the region:
- citrus zest
- white peach
- crisp green apple
- subtle spice
- flinty minerality
- dry, linear, and refreshing
It’s bright, precise, and packed with tension — the acidity drives length while the fruit remains pure and lifted. The stony soils show through in the minerality, and the finish is long and clean.
Why it’s worth seeking out
You’re getting:
- Grand Cru pedigree
- hand-harvested fruit
- biodynamic farming
- reductive winemaking
- expression of site
- exceptional aging potential
If you enjoy:
- German Riesling
- Champagne acidity
- Chablis-style precision
…Alsace Riesling sits beautifully in that wheelhouse.
And if you’re a Burgundy lover?
Albert Mann also produces standout Pinot — a category quietly gaining attention for its quality-to-value ratio.
Final sip
The 2021 Albert Mann Grand Cru Riesling is a standout example of what Alsace does best:
crisp acidity, mineral drive, purity of fruit, and site expression.
Dry. Zesty. Structured.
And undeniably elegant.
If you’ve overlooked Alsace before, this bottle is the nudge you needed.
Cheers — and consider this your gateway into one of France’s most exciting Riesling regions.
