Alsace Flashcards by Elle Foster

What is the length of the Alsace region?

120km

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What are the two cities either side of the Alsace region?

Strasbourg in the north

Mulhouse in the south

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What is the mountain range to the west of Alsace?

Vosges

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What is important about the Vosges?

The Vosges mountain range create a rain shadow that creates a micro climate in Alsace.
It is cool continental climate and one of the driest wine regions in France with only 500ml annual rain fall.

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What is the climate of Alsace?

Cool continental climate

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What is the average rain fall in Alsace?

500ml

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What are the sub-divisions of Alsace?

Bas-Rhin (north)

Haut-Rhin (South)

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What are the two Best known Vineyard towns?

Riquewihr (Rike-Veah)

Ribeauville (Ree-Boo-Ville)

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What is the Business centre of Alsace?

Colmar

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When did Alsace start producing the wine we associate with Alsace these days?

1945

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What happened before the end of WW2 that affected Alsatian wine?

Germany only allowed Alsace to grow inferior grapes so that it protected the value of German wines.

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When was Alsace awarded AOC status?

1962

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What % of white wine is Produced in Alsace?

90% White

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What is the red Varietal permitted in Alsace and what does it make?

Pinot Noir,

Vin Rose, Vin Gris & Vin rouge

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In what wines is chaptalization not permitted?

Vendange Tardive (VT)
Selection de grains noble (SGN)

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What are the tall thin bottles called?

Flutes

What is the minimum alcohol content for AOC Alsace wines?

8.5%

What are the 4 Noble grapes of Alsace?

Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
Pinot Gris

how many permitted grapes are there?

-8 major-
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
Pinot Gris
Sylvaner
Pinot Blanc (Clevner/Klevner)
Pinot Noir
Chasselas

Auxerrois - this is also planted but isn’t made as a wine on its own, it is blended with pinot blanc and those wines are just labels as pinot blanc.

Chardonnay is planted, it is forbidden by law but is still used as a blending partner wth pinot blanc and used in cremate d’Alsace.

What is the only red variety in Alsace?

Pinot Noir

What does Edelzwicker mean?

‘Noble mixture’

A blend of more than one variety can be labeled as Edelzwicker (more often lableled as Gentil)

What does Gentil indicate on a bottle of Alsatian wine?

A blend of two or more grapes. Must contain at least 50% of a noble grape (riesling, Gewürztraminer, muscat and/or Pinot Gris)

How many Grand Crus are there in Alsace?

What is the only Grand Cru permitted to grow Sylvaner?

Zotzenberg

What does Vendange Tardives (VT) mean?

Late-picked. These wines are wines made from late harvest grapes. The minimum sugar level at harvest must be 244 g/l (93° Oechsle)

What does Selection de Grains Noble (SGN) mean?

These are wines made from grapes affected by noble rot. Minimum sugar level is 276 g/l at harvest (103° Oechsle) for Riesling and Muscat. 306 g/l at harvest (117° Oechsle) for Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Gris.

Where are the majority of the best grand crus based?

Haut-Rhin

What are the soils of Alsace?

Alsace has one of the most diverse soil types of any French region. There are at least 20 major soil types. Higher steeper slopes: Have thin topsoil, with subsoils of weathered Gneiss, granite, sandstone, schist and volcanic sediments. Lower slopes: deeper topsoils over sub soils of clay, Marl, Limestone and sandstone. The plains: Alluvial soil, rich fertile, generally more suited for crops.

What subsoil is native to Alsace?

The pink Gris de Vosges, this is sandstone that was used to make the churches and cathedrals in Alsace.

What appellation is responsible for the quality production of sparkling wine in Alsace?

Cremant d'Alsace

What grapes are used for cremant d'Alsace?

The most important grape in cremate d'Alsace is Pinot Blanc, Although Pinot Gris, Auxerrios, riesling and chardonnay are also permitted. Pinot noir is the only variety permitted for rose.

What is AOC Alsace Communales?

This is a AOC which is stricter than the regional appellation of Vin d'Alsace, specifies grape varietals, vine training, ripeness levels. There are 11 Communes that may be mentioned on the label along side AOC Alsace.

What is AOC Alsace lieux-dits?

This is an appellation that is stricter then AOC Alsace Communales.