Altenberg de Bergbieten
The Altenberg de Bergbieten is a vineyard in Alsace . The Altenberg de Bergbieten has been part of the Alsace Grand Cru appellation since November 23, 1983 , making it one of the 50 potentially best locations in Alsace. A total of 29.07 hectares of vineyards were approved.
location
The location is in the municipality of Bergbieten , between the towns of Traenheim and Bergbieten, only approx. 25 km west of Strasbourg . The area is located north of a hilly zone that is in front of the Vosges and slopes down to the Balbronner Graben. The Altenberg de Bergbieten lies in a south-easterly exposure at an altitude of 215 to 265 m above sea level. NN . The hillside location minimizes the risk of frost damage after the vines have sprouted in spring, because cold air that arises during the nights does not remain over the vineyards but can slide down towards the plain. The Vosges in the west protect the lee wine-growing region from too much rainfall in south-west or west-westerly weather conditions. This results in an above-average length of sunshine for the northern location. The homogeneous, heavy clay marl soil from the Geological Age of the Keuper with gypsum and dolomite sandstone banks favors the warming of the soil and the water retention capacity if the drought is too long. On the other hand, the stone benches ensure adequate drainage so that waterlogging is largely avoided. The Altenberg de Bergbieten is the northernmost of the Grand Cru locations in Alsace.
Grape varieties
The location and the quality of the soil favor the cultivation of Riesling (approx. 8 hectares of planted vineyards) and Gewürztraminer (approx. 5 hectares of planted vineyards). There are therefore only about 13 hectares of the total of 29.07 hectares under yield. In principle, the Pinot Gris and Muscat d'Alsace grape varieties ( i.e. Muscat Ottonel or Muscat blanc à petits grains ) may also be planted. The wines are currently being marketed by 4 winemakers (all from Traenheim) and a cooperative.
history
The name Altenberg indicates its historical significance. The location has been mentioned in documents referring to Pope Leo IX since 1050 . Respectively. Numerous religious congregations and the diocese of Strasbourg owned vineyards here until the French Revolution . The properties were returned to the population from 1789.
On March 13, 1895, the blacksmith Emil Huber found 2 clay containers with a total of 7,000 silver coins from the 13th century while working on the ground in Altenberg. The origin of the coins has not yet been clarified. After the find was bought by German museums, the find can now be seen in Berlin.
A few years after Emil Huber's discovery, the floor revealed a metal box with Roman sesterces from the time of Julius Caesar.
See also
The name Altenberg is quite common in Alsace. Other well-known vineyards are the Altenberg de Bergheim and the Altenberg de Wolxheim .
Web links
literature
- Pierre Galet: Cépages et Vignobles de France . Lavoisier Publishing House, Paris 2004. ISBN 2-7430-0585-8
- Benoît France: Grand Atlas des Vignobles de France . Éditions SOLAR publishing house, Paris 2002. ISBN 2-263-03242-8