17 - Alsace [D] Flashcards
Important natural factors in Alsace
Cool to mod continental climate.
Very dry due to Vosges mountains (shield rain)
Slope important (mid slope = superior)
Varied soil
Sunny summers and dry autumns ensure high sugar ripeness and allow organic and biodynamic practice
Name the 4 nobel varieties in Alsace. What others are used?
Nobels are: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat
Pinot Blanc also used. Pinot Noir only black grape permitted.
Labelling in Alsace
Can be Alsace AC or Alsace Grand Cru
Grand Cru must be single noble grape, labelled with vineyard
Nobels varietally labelled (rarely blended) - must be 100%
Blends may be labelled Edelzwicker or Gentil or by producer brand (tend to be inexpensive wines)
Meaning of Vendanges Tardives (VT)
Late harvest (sweet) wine.
Only nobel varieties and specific min sugar ripeness. Best wines will undergo passerillage, possibly nobel rot.
Meaning of Selection de Grains nobles (SGN)
Nobel rot used.
Only nobel varieties and min sugar ripeness (higher than for VT). Small quantities and not every year
Typical Pinot Blanc style in Alsace
Unexicting wines (light, simple, non-aromatic), often grown on fertile flatter plains.
More used for sparkling wines eg Cremant d’Alsace (wouldnt use aromatic grapes with trad method as dont benefit from lees contact)
Two types of Muscat grape
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains - intensely aromatic (orange blossom, rose, grape), light-med body and acidity. Prone to poor fruit set and rot
Muscat Ottonel - less aromatic but more reliable (+ therefore more widely planted)
Best vineyard sites in Alsace are
Steepest slopes with E and SE aspects
Techniques used on slopes vs plains in Alsace
Slopes - trained low to benefit from heat and rows orientated to maximise sun. Hand harvest
Planes - trained high for min spring frost risk
Logistical challenge at harvest in Alsace
Vintage spread over long period mid Sep to early Dec (for VT/SGN) as growers often have a number of small plots with different varieties
What varieties can be used for VT, SGN and grand cru wines in Alsace
Only nobel varieties
What do Reserve Personnelle and Cuvee Speciale mean
Labeling terms with no legal status. Because of only 2 appellations (Alsace and Alsace GCru), producers try to distinguish different qualities
Typical winemaking techniques in Alsace
Most varieties are aromatic - focus is on retaining aromas and flavours. Large old oak barrells (100yrs). MLF not encouraged.
How is sweetness labelled on Alsace
No indication on bottle. VT can be dry to med sweet. SGN always sweet but level of nobel rot varies. With more wines now being made w sweetness (incl Grand Cru) can be problematic
Style of Riesling in Alsace
Typically not as floral as Germany. Med to Full body, dry, med alc, high acid, citrus and stone fruit. Often stony/steely
