Grand Cru Rangen de Thann is Alsace's most extreme vineyard: the southernmost, steepest (45° slopes), and only volcanic Grand Cru. The soil is graywacke, tuff, and volcanic ash from 350 million years ago. While Pinot Noir can't yet claim Grand Cru status here, the wines taste of smoke, gunpowder, and volcanic minerals unlike any other French Pinot.
What to do there
3 things to do
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).
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.
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.
