Which types of grapes can be used to make a Selection de Grains Nobles?

The Selection de Grains Nobles designation specifically refers to a sweet wine style that is produced primarily in the Alsace region of France. This wine is made from grapes that have been affected by botrytis cinerea, also known as noble rot, which concentrates the sugars and enhances the flavors of the grapes.

In Alsace, the noble grape varieties that are traditionally used for making Selection de Grains Nobles include Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Riesling, among others. These varieties are particularly well-suited to the climatic conditions of Alsace, which allow for the development of noble rot under the right circumstances, producing rich, sweet wines with complex flavors.

Therefore, the choice of only using the noble varieties of Alsace aligns with the traditional production methods and regulations governing Selection de Grains Nobles, which emphasizes the quality and character that these specific grapes bring to the final wine. Other grape varieties, especially those not classified as noble or not native to the region, are not appropriate for creating wines under this designation.