Muenchberg is a named vineyard of the Alsace Grand Cru appellation, meaning that Muenchberg may be used as part of the appellation title on wine labels. It is located in the commune of Nothalten in Alsace, and is amongst the most-southerly Grand Crus of the Bas-Rhin sub-region. The site has been cultivated since before the 12th century, as confirmed by records of the Cistercian monks of the nearby Baumgarten Abbey. Muenchberg should not be confused with its neighbor Moenchberg, two miles (3km) to the north. Confusingly, both names mean 'Hill of the Monks'.
(© CIVA)
The summit of the Ungelsberg hill stands imposingly over the Muenchberg slopes, which form a deep natural amphitheatre, sweeping right around from south-west to south-east just above Nothalten. The soils across this suntrap site are a combination of red sandstone (known locally as bundsandstein) and volcanic detritus – something that Muenchberg has in common with Rangen, 40 miles (64km) to the south.
The Muenchberg vineyard rises steeply from 820 to 1050ft (250–320m) above Nothalten. The central slopes face due south, but because of the horseshoe shape of the site there are also east- and west-facing vines, which benefit from sunshine in the morning and afternoon respectively.
The climate throughout Alsace is of continental type, with particularly low rainfall – a result of the rain shadow cast by the Vosges. The mountains also provide protection from the prevailing westerly winds, making the Alsatian summer one of the the driest and warmest in the northern half of France. At the other end of the temperature scale, the winters here are cold; it is not uncommon to see Alsace vineyards lined with snow.
Apart from a few notable exceptions, all Alsace Grand Cru wines are varietals and may be made from Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris or Muscat. Muenchberg is planted with each of these at some point on the slopes, but specializes in Alsace's key grape variety, Riesling.
