How to pronounce Alsace

What is Alsace?

A wine region in northeastern France known for aromatic white wines especially Riesling and Gewürztraminer.

Alsace lies in northeastern France, between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine river, which forms the border with Germany. The vineyards run in a narrow north to south strip along the lower eastern slopes of the Vosges. The mountains block rain from the west, so the region is dry and sunny for its latitude.

The area passed between French and German rule several times, most recently returning to France after the Second World War. That history shows in the bottle. Wines are usually labeled by grape variety, which is uncommon in France, and are sold in tall, slim bottles known as flutes. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat are the four varieties traditionally called noble.

About 90 percent of production is white. Styles range from dry, firm Riesling to rich, perfumed Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir provides the reds. The appellations form three groups: Alsace, recognized in 1962, the 51 Alsace Grands Crus, each a named vineyard, and the sparkling Crémant d'Alsace, established in 1976. The terms Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles on a label indicate late-picked grapes and usually a sweet wine.

Alsace, syllable by syllable

Why Alsace is hard to say

Standard French does not sound a final e unless it carries an accent. The e in Alsace is only there to tell you the c before it is soft, an s sound, so the word ends on "ss". The same rule gives Beaune (BOHN) and Sancerre (sahn-SAIR), which also end in a silent e.

The middle s is the unusual part. In French a single s is normally read as z only between two vowels, as in rosé. After a consonant it stays s. Alsace is an exception: most French speakers say z after the l, although the s version, al-SASS, is also heard in France. French stress falls on the last sounded syllable, so the weight is on ZASS.

Other accepted pronunciations

These are also correct, and Vinolingo scores them as correct:

• al-SASS — Native French variant [alsas] beside [alzas], and English ælˈsæs.
• AL-sass / al-SAYSS — English forms.

Tips for saying it

Saying Alsace when you buy wine

On a wine list the region usually sits next to the grape: Alsace Riesling, Alsace Pinot Gris. Say al-ZASS and go straight on to the variety. If you say al-SASS or AL-sass, that is fine. Those are established English forms and any sommelier or shop assistant will understand you. Sweetness varies by producer, so it is worth asking whether a bottle is dry.

• “Do you have a dry Riesling from Alsace?” Asking about dryness is normal, since some Alsace wines have a little sweetness.
• “I'll have a glass of the Crémant d'Alsace, please.” With d' in front the name runs together: dal-ZASS.
• “Is this Alsace Gewürztraminer from a Grand Cru vineyard?”

Names often confused with Alsace

• Riesling (REES-ling): One of the most widely planted grapes in Alsace, usually named on the label beside the region.
• Gewürztraminer (geh-VURTS-trah-mee-ner): A German grape name on a French label, which is why people are unsure which language's rules to apply.
• Grand Cru (grahn KROO): In Alsace this marks wine from one of 51 classified vineyards, not a producer ranking.
• Vendange tardive (vahn-dahnj tar-DEEV): A late-harvest label term used in Alsace, written there in the plural as Vendanges Tardives.

Questions about pronouncing Alsace

How do you pronounce Alsace?

In French, Alsace is pronounced al-ZASS: two syllables, with the stress on the second, a z sound in the middle and a silent final e. In English it is also commonly said al-SASS, with an s in place of the z.

Is it al-ZASS or al-SASS?

Both are in use. al-ZASS, with a z, is the usual French form and the one taught here. al-SASS, with an s, is heard from some French speakers and is listed in English dictionaries. Either will be understood when you order wine.

Is the e silent in Alsace?

Yes. In French the final e of Alsace is not sounded. It only signals that the c is soft, so the word ends on an s sound: al-ZASS. A third syllable, as in al-ZAH-suh, is often heard from learners, but the native form has two.

How do you pronounce Alsace in American and British English?

American dictionaries list al-SASS and al-SAYSS, with the stress on either the second or the first syllable, and note the French al-ZASS as well. British dictionaries give al-SASS alongside the French form. All of these are established and accepted.

What wine is Alsace known for?

Alsace is known for aromatic white wines, which make up about 90 percent of production. The main grapes are Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris, usually named on the label. The region also makes Pinot Noir and a traditional method sparkling wine, Crémant d'Alsace.

Sources: Vins d'Alsace: The appellations, Dictionary.com: Alsace, Wikipedia: Alsace wine, Wiktionary: Alsace. Last reviewed 2026-10-10.