17. Alsace Flashcards
Why is Alsace unusual for a French wine region?
Because most of its wines are varietally labelled.
What type of wine production is the focus of Alsace?
Aromatic white grape varieties made in dry, off-dry, and sweet styles.
What is the climate of Alsace? Soils?
- Cool-to-moderate continental climate
- Vosges Mountains protect from westerly, rain-bearing winds
- sunny summers, dry autumns
- wide variety of soils
- low disease pressure (organic, biodynamic is common)
Where are the best vineyards in Alsace located? Where are the lesser vineyards location
BEST
- steepest slopes
- east and south-east aspects
LESSER
-on the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine (Cremant d’Alsace)
Describe the grape growing practices of the slope vineyards. The plains?
SLOPES
- vines trained low to benefit from radiated heat
- rows oriented for maximum exposure to the sun
- hand harvested
PLAINS
-trained high to minimize risk of spring frost
When is the typical harvest time in Alsace?
- spread over longer period of time
- many small plots of vines with different varieties
- starts in mid-Sept
- may last until end of Nov, early Dec (VT and SG)
What are the two Alsatian appellations for still wine? Describe wines from each appellation.
- Alsace: vast majority, most 100% varietal wines, some blends
- Alsace Grand Cru: must be varietal wine from noble grape variety, some exceptions. ~50 vineyards
What are the 4 noble grape varieties of Alsace?
- Riesling
- Pinot Gris
- Gewurztraminer
- Muscat
What is Vendanges Tardives?
(VT) “Late Harvest”
- ranges from dry to medium sweet
- must be made from 1 of the 4 noble grapes
- specific minimum sugar ripeness (depends on variety)
- some noble rot, some passerillage
What is Selection de Grains Noble?
(SGN)
- always sweet
- must be made from 1 of the 4 noble grapes
- specific minimum sugar ripeness (depends on variety) higher than VT
- usually noble rot
- small quantities, not made every year
Describe Alsatian blends.
- inexpensive
- made from juice not selected for varietal wine
- labelled ‘Edelzwicker’ or ‘Gentil’
- some high-quality/grand cru made but very rare
Describe Alsatian winemaking techniques.
Traditional: ferment in large old oak barrels (100 yrs+) with thick tartrate deposit that prevents any influence of oak on the wine
Modern: ferment in stainless steel vats
- typically no MLF
- bottling in Spring following the vintage
Name an issue with the wine labelling system in Alsace.
No clear way to distinguish whether or wine is sweet or not.
What is the most widely planted grape in Alsace?
Riesling
Describe typical Alsatian Riesling.
- dry
- high acidity
- medium-to-full body
- medium alcohol
- citrus, stone fruit, stony/steely
- not as floral as German riesling
