What is the only winegrowing region in France that can legally grow Riesling? Why is it only Alsace
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
This is a very interesting question whose answer lies in the realm of history and politics rather than in the wine world. It seems that the Riesling grape may only be cultivated - except on an experimental basis - within 50 kilometers (about 30 miles) of France's border with Germany (according to Jancis Robinson in her superb book, "Vines, Grapes & Wines"). I have tried to find the actual legal statute or viticultural regulation so that I can read the language but I have not been successful to date (I would be grateful if someone can provide the official reference in French). You may know that Alsace - while very much part of France - has many Germanic influences in its dialect, customs, cuisine and grape varieties. The periods during which Alsace was controlled by Germany (1870-1918 and again from 1940-1944 during WWII) certainly had consequences. Riesling has been viewed in France as a foreign and specifically German grape that should be strictly limited. There may well be several parts of France where Riesling could be very successful.
