Alsace Flashcards
Describe the tug of war historically between France and Germany.
Alsace reached it’s peak of prosperity in the 16th century under the control of a west German principality. Germany suffered internal religious battles followed by plague and the French annexed Alsace at the end of the 17th century. Alsace was reclaimed by Germany in 1871 at the close of the Franco-Prussian war. At the end of WWI, Alsace was returned to France. During WW2 Alsace was then occupired again by Germany and was finally returned to France in 1945.
Between which parallels is Alsace located within?
47-49
What is the climate?
Continental
Why is the region so dry?
The region is protected from the Atlantic by the Vosge Mountains which casts a rain-shadow over the region.
Describe the geology of Alsace
Lies in the Rhine graben (grave-like trench with vertical upflits. The trench is a result of the plains falling along parallel fault lines).
Describe the seasons in Alsace
Springs: mild with frost
Summers: warm and dry with thunderstorms and hail. Drought issues.
Autumns: humid
Winters: very cold
How many different soil types are there?
13
What are the 7 primary grapes?
Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sylvaner, Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc, Muscat Ottonel
What are the 4 secondary grapes?
Chardonnay, Chasselas, Auxerrois Blanc, Klevener
What are the synonyms of the following grapes:
Pinot Blanc
Klevener
Pinot Blanc: Pinot Vrai or Klevner
Klevener: Savagnin Rose (non-aromatic)
What percentage of wines are varietally labelled? If the variety is stated, what % must be included?
80%
100% varietal
What is gentil?
A blended wine that must contain >50% of the noble grape varieties. Finished wines must undergo tasting panel approval.
What is edelzwicker?
Blend of any of the white grapes approved for the Alsace AOC
What can be included in a wine labelled Pinot Blanc or Klevner?
100% Pinot Blanc or 100% Auxerrois Blanc or a blend of both
What can be included in a wine labelled Pinot d’Alsace?
Auxerrois Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
It can be 100% of any of these grapes or a blend.
How many different wines may a small producer make?
6-8
80% of Alsace’s wine is produced by how many producers?
175 out of the 1,200
How much of the wine is white?
90%
How much of Alsace’s wine is exported?
25%
What has global warming resulted in for the grapes?
Riper grapes with higher sugar levels. More wines are being made off-dry then historically. Pinot Noir is growing better!
From the 2008 vintage, what is the max RS that Riesling can be?
0.9% (doesn’t apply to Grand Cru wines, lieu-dit wines or sweet wines)
What are the winemaking practices for dry whites?
Fermentation in stainless steel or large, neutral oak casks. Most don’t spend time in new oak or undergo MLF. Fermentation is often coupled with lees ageing for the wines destined to be cellared.
What are the requirements for Crémant d’Alsace?
Hand-picked and whole cluster pressed.
Rosés are made exclusively from Pinot Noir via saignée or maceration.
Min 9 months sur lie ageing
Can’t be released earlier than one year from tirage.
What are the sweetness levels for Crémant d’Alsace?
Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Sec, Sec, Demi-Sec
What is the favoured grape for Crémant d’Alsace?
Pinot Blanc followed by Chardonnay.
What are Vendanges Tardives?
Late-harvest wines made from the noble varieties. Hand-picked late in the season and may or may not have botrytis. MLF is discouraged.
What are Sélections de Grains Nobles?
Late-harvest wines made from the noble varieties. Noble rot is a requirement and grape are picked berry-by-berry during multiple passes through the vineyard.
What are the 2 clones of Savagnin Rose?
Aromatic - Gewurztraminer
Non-aromatic - Klevener
What are the noble grape varieties?
Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris & Gewurztraminer
What are the 53 AOCs?
51 Grand Crus
Alsace AOC
Crémant d’Alsace AOC
Where can grapes hail from in the Alsace AOC?
Any vineyard in Alsace
What are the 3 special Grand Cru vineyards and why are they different?
Zotzenberg: Allows Sylvaner
Altenberg de Bergheim: blend (Riesling dominant)
Kaefferkopf: blend (Gewurztraminer dominant)
All other Grand Crus are single varieties.
What are all allowable grapes in Crémant d’Alsace?
Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois and Pinot Noir.
What are the conditions of the Grand Crus?
Grapes grown on that Grand Cru vineyard.
The vineyards are rank, not the estate.
Only the 4 noble white grapes can be used.
What are the 2 sub-categories of the Alsace AOC? What do they signify?
Alsace Communal: wines of heightened character (13 communes recognised). Higher quality standards.
Alsace Lieu-Dit: named plot of land because of its notable expression of terroir. These wines must meet strict production standards (higher than Alsace Communal)
