Harvest time in Alsace
The harvest season began in Alsace this Wednesday, August 23, with the harvest of Crémants d’Alsace, the sparkling Alsace wine (white or rosé) usually enjoyed as an aperitif or on special occasions!
The harvest is the fruit of a long year’s work for our winegrowers: it’s a key moment in viticulture.
Harvesting is a unique experience for grape-pickers: in the early hours of the morning, in the cool of the morning, the pickers set off to the vineyards to make the first cuts with the pruning shears, before harvesting the grapes in a convivial atmosphere. Then it’s time for the “casse-croûte”, that little gourmet break of cold meats and cheeses to regain their strength.
At midday, the grape-pickers have lunch either in the vineyard or at the winemaker’s. Every year, grape-pickers look forward to the start of the harvest, as the days are generally still fine in Alsace at the beginning of September. The vines begin to change color, turning yellow and orange: the scenery is absolutely magnificent at this time of year. It’s one of our favorite seasons!
In Alsace, the harvest lasts about 4 to 6 weeks.
The rest of the still wine harvest starts on Monday September 4, and the Sélections de Grains Nobles on September 18.
Small riddle: do you know the Alsatian grape varieties and the Grands Crus of the Kaysersberg valley? Answer here.
We wish all our Alsatian winegrowers a wonderful harvest season and a fine 2023 vintage.
