5.0 Alsace copied to L4.3 WoW Flashcards
When did Alsace change from Germany rule to French for the last time?
Alsace has changed many times from French to German rule over the centuries
Alsace was part of Germany until the end of WWI
What wines were produced in Alsace under German rule?
Mostly average wines produced in bulk
When did the focus on quality happen in Alsace?
When Alsace became part of France after WWI
Banning of hybrid vines happens in 1925
AC legislation was applied in 1962
Bottling in the area of production using the traditional Alsace flute bottle was made law in 1972
Who owns more than half the vineyards in Alsace?
Grower/producers
Cooperative cellars control a third of the vineyard area and negociants own less than 5% but but large quantities off remaining growers
How many growers are there in Alsace?
~5,000 in total, 3,100 farm less than 2 hectares
How is vineyard land divided in Alsace?
Into small parcels and most growers don’t rely solely on grape growing/wine making for income
How much of Alsace wines are exported?
25%
What are the key export markets for Alsace wines?
- Belgium /Luxumbourg
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Denmark
- USA
- UK
How much of the total wine are negociants responsible for in Alsace?
40%
How important are co-operatives in Alsace?
Very they represent 37% of sales
What are the two ACs for still wine in Alsace?
Alsace AC
Alsace Grand Cru AC
What is Cuvée Spéciale in Alsace?
A term often found in labels in Alsace to distinguish quality as there are only two ACs in Alsace, but it has no legal status
What does Reserve Personnelle mean in Alsace?
A term often found in labels in Alsace to distinguish quality as there are only two ACs in Alsace, but it has no legal status
How much of total production is Alsace AC?
80%
What is the maximum yield for white wines in Alsace AC?
80hl/ha
What is the maximum yield for Pinot Noir from Alsace AC?
75 hl/ha
If the variety is stated on an Alsace AC wine how much must be in the wine?
100% if a variety is stated the wine must be produced exclusively from that variety
Will grape variety appear on the label in Alsace?
Yes contrary to many French labelling traditions, Alsace wines will reference grape variety on the label (apart from a small number of blends)
If grape variety is stated the wine must be exclusively from that variety
How many vineyards in Alsace qualify for Grand Cru status?
51 Vineyards
What grapes can be used in Alsace Grand Cru AC wines?
100% single varietals of
Riesling
Muscat
Gewürztraminer
Pinot Gris
Exceptions are blends and Sylvaner (Zotzenberg only)
Is machine harvesting permitted in Alsace Grand Cru AC?
No Alsace Grand Cru wines must be hand picked
What is specified for new plantings in Grand Cru areas in Alsace?
Vine density
And pruning
New plantings must exceed 4,500 vines per hectare and be pruned to between 8-19 buds per m2
Who controls the chapitalisation, grape varieties, harvest dates and PLC levels for each Grand Cru area in Alsace?
Syndicat Viticole
What grapes can a Vendange Tardive (VT) be made from in Alsace?
The four noble varieties
Riesling
Muscat
Gewürztraminer
Pinot Gris
Are blends permitted for Vendange Tardive (VT) in Alsace?
No must be 100% single varietals from the four noble varietals
What is the potential alcohol required for Riesling and Muscat in Vendage Tardive Alsace?
14%
The finished wine will have some level of residual sugar
What is the potential alcohol required for Vendage Tardive Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer in Alsace?
15.3%
Finished wine will have some level of residual sugar
What does SGN stand for in Alsace?
Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
Sweet wines with some botrytis from the four noble varieties (Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer)
What does VT stand for in Alsace?
Vendage Tardive
Late harvest wine made from four noble varietals (Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer)
What is the minimum potential alcohol for a Sélection de Grains Noble (SGN) Riesling and Muscat in Alsace?
16.4%
What is the minimum potential alcohol for a Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer Sélection de Grains Noble (SGN) in Alsace?
18.2%
6 key facts re Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
- Category of sweet wines in Alsace produced in outstanding vintages
- Selection of noble rotted grapes
- Must come from four noble varieties (Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer)
- Must be 100% single varietals
- Must have some level of botrytis
- Potential alcohol of 16.4% for Riesling and Muscat and 18.2% for Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer
Six key facts about Vendage Tardive
- Late harvest wine from Alsace
- Must be one of four noble varietals (Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris or Gewürztraminer)
- Must be 100% single varietals
- Grapes must have a potential alcohol or 14% for Riesling and Muscat and 15.3% for Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer
- Chapitalisation is forbidden
- Finished wine will have some level of residual sugar
Five key facts about Alsace AC?
- Full name Vin d’Alsace AC
- 80% of total production
- Grape variety will appear on label (aside from on a small number of blends)
- If variety is stated, the wine must be produced exclusively from that variety
- Maximum yields are 80hl/ha for white varieties and 75hl/ha for Pinot Noir
10 key facts re Alsace Grand Cru AC
- One of only two AC for still wines
- Individual vineyards producing the finest wines
- Name of vineyard and grape variety appear on label
- 51 Vineyards qualify for Grand Cru Status
- Produced from Riesling, Muscat, Gewürztraminer or Pinot Gris
- 100% single varietals exceptions are blends and Sylvaner (Zotzenberg only)
- Maximum yields lower than in Alsace AC
- Grapes must be handpicked
- New plantings in grand cru areas must exceed 4,500 vines per hectare and be pruned between 8-19 buds per m2
- Syndicat Viticole for each Grand Cru controls the Chapitalisation, grape varieties, harvest date, PLC levels
Where is Alsace?
Situated in Eastern France on the border with Germany
Next to the Rhine river
Separated by the Vosges Mountains from the rest of France
Which wine region has the driest climate in France?
Alsace
What protects Alsace from the prevailing westerly rain bearing wind?
The Vosges mountain range
How many sunshine hours does Alsace enjoy?
1,800+
What is the climate in Alsace?
Cool continental
Hot summers and long dry autumns
Occasional summer storms with hail
Cold winters allow for vine rest. Occasionally extreme winter conditions cause vine death
A warm meso climate close to Colmar gives a daily temperature of 1•C higher than Alsace average
What are climate hazards in Alsace?
Occasional summer storms with hail
Occasional extreme winter temperatures that cause vine death
Where in Alsace enjoys a warm meso climate with daily temperatures 1•C higher on average than Alsace generally?
Colmar
Where are the best vineyards situated in Alsace?
On east facing slopes
Lesser vineyards on plains
How many departments are there in Alsace?
2
Haut-Rhin in the South
Bas-Rhin in the North
What are the soil types in Alsace?
Varied
Soil types in upper slopes
- Alluvial granite and gneiss
- Schist. Quartz and clay
- sedimentary volcanic
- sandstone
Soil types in lower slopes
- calcareous
- calcareous sandstone
- clay/marl
- calcareous marl
Soil types of the plains
- large soil variation, base or lowest slopes where drainage is good, water available and certain sunshine.
What do the different soils add to final flavour /character of Alsace wines?
As a general rule
Heavier clay and marl - gives wines with broader flavours, more body and weight
Lighter limestone or sandy soil gives more elegance and finesse
Flint, schist, slate and shale soils give characteristic oily, minerals aroma reminiscent of petrol and gun flint - especially from Riesling
What are the grape varieties that Alsace considers noble?
Riesling
Gewürztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
What varieties can be used for Grand Cru, Vendage Tardive and Sélection de Grains Noble wines?
Noble varieties
Riesling
Gewürztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Where will you find the grape variety on the label in Alsace?
Prominently on the front of the label
How do Alsace wines compare to equivalent German wines?
Drier and fuller bodied
Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer often have some residual sugar
Wines reflect the character of the grapes
What have been identified for each commune in Alsace?
Suitable vines and rootstocks
What is used to identify Grand Cru sites in Alsace?
Analysis of soil for organic, phosphoric and potassium content
Why are a range of varieties planted in Alsace communes?
To spread the risk
Different varieties have different flowering and ripening times to mitigate against climatic risk
What is the typically alcohol levels of Riesling in Alsace?
11.5-12.5%
What is the most suitable soil for Riesling in Alsace?
Granite and schist
Where are the best vineyards found for Riesling in Alsace?
Around the towns of
Wolxheim
Dambach-la-Ville
Scherwiller
What percentage of all plantings in Alsace are Riesling?
25%
What is the classic style of Riesling in Alsace?
Fine strong fruit character
Full nose
High acidity
Why is Riesling suitable for late harvest in Alsace?
Hardy grape
Late ripening