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Spotlight: Pinot Noir’s new grand cru status in Alsace

The announcement that two grands crus in Alsace, Kirchberg de Barr and Hengst, will be able to award the prestigious term to its Pinot Noir wines represents a noteworthy development in this world-renowned region.

Big news coming out of Alsace! From the 2022 vintage, two of its 51 grands crus will be authorised to label their Pinot Noir red wines as grand cru, in addition to the existing white wines permitted. This is a significant development in a region which, since 1975, has only awarded grand cru status to its white wines made from Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris and Sylvaner (the last recently added).


Six grand cru-worthy Alsace Pinot Noirs:

The six wines below are from the Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr Grand Cru vineyard areas, from vintages that pre-date the 2022 regulations, and were tasted by Natalie Earl.


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