SYLVANER

One of the noble grape varieties of Alsace.

Sylvaner

Also called Grüner Silvaner, Johannisberg.

Mostly planted in Alsace, this grape variety has a good reputation for spreading. It is also very common in Germany, the Italian Tyrol and Austria. Appreciated for its generous yield, it is capable of producing dry white wines that are not lacking in charm. In Alsace, grown on hillsides, it stands out under the AOC Alsace Grand Cru Zotzenberg, the only Alsatian Grand Cru where Sylvaner is allowed. .

WHERE IS IT FOUND?
In France and all over the world

FRANCE

Alsace

WORLDWIDE

- Germany
- Switzerland
- South Africa
- Argentina
- Austria
- United States (California)
- Hungary
- Italy
- New Zealand
- Chile

MAIN APPELLATIONS
By type of wine: White

DRY WHITES

Alsace Sylvaner, Alsace Grand Cru Zotzenberg

SHALL WE TASTE?
In the glass

DRY WHITES

Very clear, with green highlights. A fresh, light and thirst-quenching wine, especially when it is still sparkling (faintly pearling) in its youth. Subtle aromas of citrus fruit and white flowers sometimes accompanied by vegetal notes (fresh herbs). Lively in the mouth, quaffable.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS
Alsace at the table

Aperitif, seafood and shellfish. Grilled fish. Alsatian cuisine. Savoury tarts (quiches). Fresh cheeses.

OUR SYLVANERS...

SYLVANER
More Information

Sylvaner Grand Cru Zotzenberg

The name sylvaner comes from Transylvania. It is a grape variety that is popular in Central Europe. But in the commune of Mittelbergheim in Alsace, it is synonymous with Fine Wine.

In the Bas-Rhin, Sylvaner has long been cultivated on the plain to produce thirstquenching wines that are of little interest because of their reliability and yield. It is a grape variety that gives wines that are not very aromatic, diluted and inexpensive. In the 1970s, thus, it was very little planted and even uprooted to make way for other noble Alsatian grape varieties.

In 1992, Zotzenberg was recognised as an AOC, an appellation d'origine contrôlée, but Sylvaner is not one of the authorised grape varieties. It was not until 2005 that it was included in the specifications...

Thus, for a couple decades now, Alsatian winegrowers have been restoring the reputation of this local grape variety by cultivating it on hillsides. On the best sites, notably the Zotzenberg terroir, it is at the source of the 51st Grand Cru of Alsace.

The Zotsenberg AOC has the particularity of having a majority of Sylvaner grapes associated with the other noble Alsatian grape varieties (Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris).

Hand-picked (like all the Grands Crus of Alsace), at a good maturity (vendanges tardives and sélection de grains nobles) and from controlled yields, it offers more roundness and more assertive aromas evolving towards honey and ripe yellow fruits), with a hint of sweetness from residual sugars.

While the other Grands Crus are reserved for Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat and Gewürztraminer, the Sylvaner has tried its luck on more thankless terroirs where the winegrowers have raised it to the same class as a Riesling Grand Cru! And that with an excellent value for money.

It is an airy, refreshing wine where delicate floral and peppery notes are intermingled in a gourmet structure. A pleasant touch of bitterness allows several agreements with seafood. Notes of hazelnut or fresh almond complete the aromatic palette as it ages.

Related search terms : silvaner, grüner silvaner, gruner silvaner, johannisberg, zotzenberg, sotsentberg, zoczenbert (1936)