Rangen is an Grand Cru vineyard and corresponding appellation in the village of Thann in Alsace, north-eastern France. It is the most southerly of the 51 Grand Crus dotted along the eastern slopes of the Vosges Mountains and is notable for more than just its terroir. Rangen is the only site in Alsace to be classified as Grand Cru in its entirety, and is also home to the highly respected Clos Saint Urbain and Clos Saint Theobald vineyards.
(© CIVA / Z Vardon)
Rangen is located immediately adjacent to the main Vosges fault line; the hillside on which the vines are planted is actually composed of volcanic rock, deposited by ancient tectonic activity. As a result, the visibly darker soils here are rich in minerals found in very few of France's vineyards: phosphorous, potassium and magnesium. Additonally, the presence of natural sulfur helps to reduce the influence of vine pests such as Phylloxera.
The steepness of the 47-acre (19-ha) Rangen vineyard is pronounced, with the site reaching a higher altitude than almost any other in Alsace. The slopes rise rapidly from 1100 to 1525ft (335–465m) over a very short distance and have an average gradient of 60%. This is comparable to the famously vertiginous slopes of the Mosel, 140 miles (225km) to the north. The Rangen slopes face due south, exposing them to maximum available sunlight throughout the day. This southerly aspect, combined with the heat-retention properties of the black, porous rocks, is a key factor in the opulent style of Rangen Grand Cru wines, particular those made from Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer.
The climate of the area is of continental type, with marked low rainfall resulting from the rain shadow cast by the Vosges. The mountains also provide protection from the prevailing westerly winds, making the Alsatian summer one of the driest and warmest in the northern half of France. At the other end of the temperature scale, the winters are cold; it is not uncommon to see Alsace vineyards lined with snow. The lower slopes of Rangen are particularly susceptible to spring frosts created by the Thur river, which passes around the base of the hill on its way down from the upper Vosges.
Rangen Grand Cru wines are varietals made from Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris or Muscat. Its Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer wines are famously the richest of the region and are higher in alcohol than equivalent wines from other Grand Cru sites. The classic Rangen Riesling is known for its combination of opulent fruit flavor and pronounced mineral notes, with surprisingly balanced acidity.
