Alsace Pinot Noir: The Volcanic Exception

How to Complete

3 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. ⛰️ 1

   Walk the Rangen Vineyard Path

   adventure Free

   19 information boards explain this volcanic terroir.

   Park in Thann and follow the marked wine path through the Rangen vineyard. The 45° slopes require good footwear. 19 information boards explain the volcanic geology. Notice the brown stones - this is graywacke and volcanic tuff from the Carboniferous age (350+ million years old).

   🍷 Log Memory
2. 🍷 2

   Taste at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

   wine $$

   The biodynamic master of Clos Saint Urbain (within Rangen).

   Book private tasting at zindhumbrecht.fr. Zind-Humbrecht owns Clos Saint Urbain within Rangen - 41 hectares of biodynamic Grand Cru. While their Pinot Gris and Riesling are more famous, ask specifically about their Pinot Noir. The volcanic smoke character is unmistakable.

   🍷 Log Memory
3. 🍷 3

   Visit Domaine Schoffit

   Optional

   wine $$

   Owner of Clos Saint-Théobald within Rangen.

   Contact Domaine Schoffit for visits. They own the Clos Saint-Théobald section of Rangen. Compare their wines to Zind-Humbrecht - same volcano, different clos (walled vineyard). Look for the distinctive gunpowder/smoke notes unique to volcanic terroir.

   🍷 Log Memory

Insider Tips

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  Pinot Noir cannot yet claim Grand Cru status in Alsace - only Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurz, Muscat (pending change)

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  The 45° slopes make Rangen one of the steepest vineyards in France

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  Vines grow 'right out of naked stones' - volcanic rock is visible everywhere

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  The smoky, gunpowder character comes from volcanic minerals - unmistakable once you know it

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  Wolfberger named Rangen one of the world's greatest vineyards