Alsace is famous for the diversity and complexity of its soils. Geological tracing explains the history of this region. What today is known as the Vosges mountain range initially rose from the earth and extended into middle Germany. Much later a fissure ruptured and formed a large flat plain, which eventually served as the channel for enormous glaciers during the ice age. The glacial passage churned up layers upon layers of soils and sediment creating a mosaic of topsoils in the region now known as Alsace. Thus today it is possible to find nearly every kind of earth imaginable in the region. There is chalk, limestone, standstone schist, clay, loess and various volcanic sedimentary deposits. The tiny villages of Alsace may boast five different soil types.
Though nearly two-dozen soil types are present in Alsace, there are three categories worth noting, each effecting the flavor profile of the grapes and resulting wines:
Granite, schist and volcanic sediment beneath sparse topsoil is found on the steepest slopes of the Vosges mountains and produces Mineral-forward wines with oily aromas.
Clay, sandstone and limestone covered in deeper topsoil is found on the rolling hills of the Vosges, creating elegant wines with great finesse.
Fertile alluvial soils are located on the plains, and the wines from these elevations are full-bodied with a breadth of flavors and aromas
