Does Alsace wine have a future? | Pierre Seltz

Since the planting of the first vines, the history of Alsatian viticulture has not been a smooth journey. Except for its golden age, the remarkable 16th century, it has always been subject to conflicts between peoples. It has also endured climatic fluctuations, years of poor harvests, and economic crises. But none of these events had the intensity of the destruction caused by the terrible phylloxera pest and the damage caused by the policy of the Reichsland. Alsatian wine came close to disappearing at the turn of the 20th century - it took the commitment of determined researchers and winemakers for it to finally regain its path to quality after the Second World War. Today, new threats loom over the Alsatian vineyard - facing them requires the mobilization of all industry stakeholders. Pierre Seltz, a witness to the radical transformation of 20th-century Alsace, provides an exceptional account here of the journey of Alsatian winemakers through the centuries. Drawing lessons from it, he clearly answers the question that arises: yes, resolutely yes, Alsatian wine has a future, "because no country in the world has a better qualitative position in terms of the affinity between noble grape varieties and terroirs." However, seizing this future and committing the entire profession to the path of recovery is necessary. The precedents of past centuries, beautifully evoked in this wonderful work, and the marvelous strengths of our wines urge us not to waste the legacy of all the generations of winemakers who have shaped the destiny of Alsatian wine.