Spiegel is an Alsace Grand Cru vineyard and corresponding appellation split between the neighboring villages of Guebwiller and Bergholtz in Alsace, north-eastern France. It is among the more southerly of the 51 Grand Cru sites dotted along the eastern slopes of the Vosges Mountains.
The high quality of the local terroir has been known for many centuries and Spiegel is one of several Grand Crus in the immediate area. The site covers 44 acres (18ha) on the north-eastern side of the Unterlinger foothill, sharing the slopes with its immediate neighbors, Saering, Kessler and Kitterle. It is separated from them by a granite spur jutting out above Guebwiller.
The majority of the Spiegel vineyard has an easterly aspect, although a gentle topographical depression in the middle means there is some subtle variation in this. The slopes are not as steep as those of Kessler immediately to the south, or Kitterle just over the spur. Instead, they climb placidly from 855 to 1050ft (260–320m). The soils are composed mostly of sandstone and marlstone, with a small quantity of clay. Some limestone is present in the site's deeper soils.
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 here are cold; it is not uncommon to see Alsace vineyards lined with snow. With its location higher up the hillside, Spiegel is not as prone to the spring frosts which affect the lower areas of Kitterle and Saering.
Apart from a few notable exceptions, all Alsace Grand Cru wines are varietals and may be produced from Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris or Muscat. Gewurztraminer is the most successful variety as far as Spiegel wine is concerned, producing rather opulent wines with a floral, spice-scented bouquet.
