"Get to know the Alsace Wine Region: Alsace is unique.  Alsace is one of the most northerly wine regions in France (Champagne is furthest north) and lies in the northeast corner of France along the German border and the Rhine river.  It is a small wine region running north and south, about 75 miles long and averaging about 3 miles wide (not all under vine).

Surprisingly, it is the lowest rainfall in France, and benefit from a rain-shadow effect of the Vosges Mountains. Consequently, very complex aromatics.

Alsace also lies along the Rhine graben. Also unique to Alsace is their 13 different major soil types, the result of ancient years of earth movement and erosion.  Some of the best soils for viticulture are found on the slopes of the Vosges Mountains"