4 Crémant d'Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

How big is the amount of Crémant in Alsace?

A

25% of the total wine production

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How much producer make Crémant in Alsace?

A

approximately 500 producers in small scale alongside their still wines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How much growth the vineyard area for Crémant in the last 10 years?

A

15% to 3.600 hectares

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which is the most important grape variety?

A

Pinot Blanc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe the style of a Pinot Blanc Crémant d’Alsace

A
  • medium intensity
  • apple and pear aromas
  • biscuit-like autolysis notes
  • medium (+) to high acidity
  • light to medium body
  • mostly in a Brut style
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe the climate in Alsace

A
  • vineyards mainly on the eastern flanks of the Vosges foothills
  • elevations from 200-400m
  • Vosges protect from west winds
  • sunny and continental climate
  • dry and hot during the growing season
  • problems can be: tough rain at harvest, shortage of water (irrigation is not permitted) and spring frost
  • flavour ripeness is reached while high acidity is retained
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe the “site selection” for Crémant vineyards

A
  • best sites where reserved for the noble varieties for still wine (e.g. Riesling)
  • high fertile sites and cool sites in higher valleys where chosen
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Name the grape varieties used for Crémant d’Alsace

A
  • Pinot Blanc
  • Auxerrois
  • Chardonnay
  • Riesling
  • Pinot Gris
  • Pinot Noir
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How much of the vineyard area is used for Pinot Blanc?

A

20% (Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois together, most of the vines are Pinot Blanc)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why has Riesling just a little part in the Crémant production?

A

growers prefer to use Riesling for still wine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Why is Pinot Gris used in the Crémant?

A
  • it is more valuable than Pinot Blanc

- it adds more prominent fruit flavours to the wine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Which grape variety in the whole Alsace appellations is only allowed in the appellation Crémant d’Alsace?

A

Chardonnay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How big is the Chardonnay part of the appellation Crémant d’Alsace?

A

1%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which grape variety is only allowed for Crémant d’Alsace Rosé?

A

Pinot Noir

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How is the pruning technique in a Crémant d’Alsace vineyard?

A

vines a pruned to a greater crop than for still wines (high concentration of flavours is not needed)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How high is the max. allowed yield for Crémant d’Alsace?

A

80hl/ha

17
Q

When must the growers declare to use the vineyard for Crémant d’Alsace?

A

in July

18
Q

When is the harvest time for Crémant d’Alsace?

A

last days of August to first days of September

19
Q

How big is the typical dosage level of Crémant d’Alsace?

A
  • vast majority is Brut

- dosage level 8-10g/l

20
Q

How is the Crémant d’Alsace Rosé produced?

A

maceration on the skin for 12-24 hours

21
Q

What are the main AOC regulations for Crémant d’Alsace?

A
  • grape variety
  • yield
  • time on lees
22
Q

How is the production divided between co-operatives, merchants and independent growers?

A
  • co-operatives (43%)
  • merchant houses (37%)
  • independent growers (20%)
23
Q

Name the largest single company?

A

co-operative Maison Bestheim

24
Q

How has the volume of production changed between 2000 and 2014

A

the volume of production was more than doubled

25
Q

Where is the fast majority of Crémant d’Alsace sold?

A

in France (around 80%)

26
Q

Name the top-quality category of Crémant d’Alsace

A

Crémant d’Alsace Emotion

27
Q

Name the requirements for Crémant d’Alsace Emotion

A
  • min. 75% of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (separately or together)
  • min. 24 month on lees
28
Q

Why is Crémant d’Alsace Emotion not been popular?

A

some very good, long-lees-aged wines are already produced in this region