18. Alsace Flashcards
When was the peak of Alsacian prosperity?
mid 16th Century, while part of Germany; 300 years of strife began 1618
When was the last time Alsace changed from German to French control?
at the end of World War II; at which time it was able to reestablish itself as great fine wine region
Who ripped out the hybrid vines in Alsace?
the Hitler Youth brigades, 75% of vineyards destroyed which allowed planting of vinifera vines
When were hybrid vines planted in Alsace?
during German control after 1871 after phylloxera
How many hours of sunshine occur yearly in Alsace?
1800, a high number that reflects the long autumns
Described the Alsacian climate.
cool continental climate with cool nights, low rainfall and a long autumn
Where is Alsace located?
extreme northeast corner of France
Name the 7 primary grapes of Alsace
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Sylvaner, Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc (Muscat Ottonel) [mnemonic: Rocket propelled grenades protect people somewhat madly.]
Name the 4 “noble” grape varieties of Alsace.
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat [mnemonic: RPG-M] n.b. this is the same as permitted grapes for late harvest wines
Definition of Gentil blend.
Contain at least 50% of noble grapes, from same vintage
Definition of Edelzwicker blend
Any white grapes, no vintage. La dénomination Edelzwicker est un terme alsacien signifiant ‘assemblage noble,’ ironically no amount of noble grapes is required.
Alternate names for Pinot Blanc.
Klevner, Pinot Vrai [mnemonic; third e in Klevener is truly (Vrai) blank.]
Name 4 secondary grapes of Alsace.
Chardonnay, Chasselas, Klevener (de Heiligenstein or Savagnin Rose), Auxerrois Blanc
What percent of Alsace wines are varietal?
80%
What percent of Alsace wines are white?
90%
Varietal wines in Alsace contain what amount of the named grape?
100%
Name the primary grape in Cremant d’Alsace
Pinot Blanc
Allowed secondary grapes in Cremant d’Alsace
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Auxerrois. [mnemonic: RP-PP–, minus GSM, plus AC]
The primary grape in Cremant d’Alsace Rose
Pinot Noir (sole grape)
Name two types of late harvest wines from Alsace?
Vendanges Tardives, Selecton de Grains Noble (SGN)
Which late harvest wine is always affected by noble rot?
SGN, Vendanges Tardives may or may not be affected. [mnemonic: N=Noble=sgN]
What grapes are permitted for late harvest wines?
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat (all noble grapes)
How many AOC’s are in Alsace?
Book says 2, but really 53, Alsace AOC [1 including communal and lieu-dit subcategories), Alsace Grand Cru AOC (51) and Cremant d’Alsace AOC (1)]
Which Alsace AOC’s can be blends?
Alsace AOC, Cremant d’Alsace AOC, Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim (majority Riesling), Alsace Grand Cru Kaefferkopf (majority Gewurztraminer). Gentil and Edelzwicker are blends that are categories in the Alsace AOC
Describe the crop yield in Alsace AOC.
The AOC approved yields are the highest in France, up to 4.8 tons/acre.
What are the effects of growing grass between rows of vines?
a) prevents loss of topsoil, b) lower yields, c) minimizes threat of fungus (absorbs humidity)
What is the one Grand Cru in Alsace that may use a non-noble grape?
Zotzenberg, may be made from Sylvaner.
Describe the Sylvaner grape.
native to Austria, little aroma, high acids, complex minerality, milled grain, root vegetables
Describe the Riesling grape.
native to Germany, buds late, high sugar, high acid, when aged pine nut or petrol
Describe Pinot Gris
aka Tokay d’Alsace, Pinot Beurot. early bud, not productive, high sugar, low acid, flavors of apple, pear, peach, almond and hazelnut.
Name 2 other grapes that share DNA fingerprint with Pinot Blanc.
Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir
Are all Grand Cru vineyards hand-harvested in Alsace?
yes
Describe Auxerrois Blanc
Neutral, high sugar, low acid, Pinot x Gousais Blanc cross, native to Alsace-Lorraine.
Describe Chasselas grape
Secondary grape in Alsace, native to Switzerland, flint, smoke, hay, flowers, mostly grown in Savoie near Geneva
Sweetness categories for sparkling Cremant d’Alsace:
Extra Brut (no dosage), Brut (<1.2%), Extra Sec (1.2-1.7%), Sec (1.7-3.2%), Demi-Sec (3.2-5%). [mnemonic: EBB(e)S(s) & flooD; 1.2,1.7,3.2,5]
Name 3 German influences on Alsace winemaking.
flute bottles, varietal labeling, Riesling grape
How many major soil types are in Alsace?
13
What is a graben?
a grave-like trench framed by two vertical uplifts
Wines labeled Pinot Blanc contain what grape?
may be Pinot Blanc or Auxerrois Blanc or a blend
Wines labeled Pinot d’Alsace contain what grape?
Pinot Blanc aka “Klevner”; can contain Auxerrois Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, or Pinot Gris or a blend of any of those.
Describe the styles of Alsace AOC wines.
white, red or rose; dry or sweet, blend or varietal, can be labeled with a single vineyard, may be sparkling
What percent of Alsace wine is consumed in France?
75%
A long harvest season in Alsace is predicated on what factors?
different grape varieties, different ripening at different sites, wines of a variety of styles (dry vs. sweet)
What is the most significant aspect of autumn in Alsace in terms of viniculture?
humidity (enables noble rot)
What is a common name for Tokay d’Alsace?
Pinot Gris
Aromas of lychees, roses and sweet baking spices suggest which grape?
Gewurtraminer
Characteristics of little aroma, high acids, complex minerality, milled grain, root vegetables suggest which grape?
Sylvaner (native to Austria)
When did the first vine grow in Alsace?
Long before man arrived.
What is a blocksbeutel?
a type of wine bottle with the form of a flattened ellipsoid, used mainly in Germany, especially Silvaner from Franken
Name 3 French wine areas associated with a graben.
Alsace in the Rhine graben, Burgogne and Jura on the uplifts of the Saone graben
What percent of Alsacian wine is designated Grand Cru?
4%
The Grand Cru designation in Alsace means what?
wines from grapes that are grown in a specific vineyard (not a producer designation)
Alsace Grand Cru is dry or sweet? red or white?
always white, dry or sweet
What 4 wine regions in France that lead the organic movment?
Alsace, Provence, Languedoc, Roussillon
Where was France’s first biodynamic estate?
Alsace by Eugene Meyer, enabled by low disease pressure
Describe the training used in Alsace.
Low along the slopes to capture radiated heat, high on the plain to minimize risk of spring frosts.
What is the implication of the long harvest time in Alsace?
creates a logistical problem for growers: manpower for hand harvest
In which part of Alsace does aspect play the greatest role?
northern (Bas-Rhin) where protection from the Vosges is diminished.
What parts of viniculture in Alsace are consistent with the goal of minimal treatment?
pneumatic presses, large oak barrels with thick tartrate deposits (or stainless steel), no malolactic fermentation (Pinot Blanc is an exception for MLF)
What is the basis of the controversy of Grand Cru status in Alsace?
Boundries of vineyards are in dispute, some producers believe that land included may not be of high quality
Which Alsacian classifications have legal status? Reserve Personnelle, Cuvee Speciale, Vendange Tardive, Selection de Grains Nobles
VT, SGN
For VT wine from Alsace not affected by Boytritis, what method of sweet wine making is used?
passerillage (drying grapes on the vine) [think long autumn]
What percent of wine produced in Alsace is labeled from Alsace AOC?
70%
In Alsace, does botrytis have an impact on dry or sweet wines?
both
Vendange Tardive wines from Alsace correspond to which German Pradikate category?
Auslese
Selection de Grains Nobles wines from Alsace correspond to which German Pradikate category?
Beerenauslese
What are the two most commonly planted varietals in Alsace?
Riesling and Pinot Blanc (with Auxerrois)
Which noble grape of Alsace is increasingly rare?
Muscat (<3%)
Which strain of Muscat is more difficult to grow?
Muscat Blanc a Petites Grains (not Muscat Ottonel)
Why is Muscat more difficult to grow?
prone to coulure and rot
