Alsace Flashcards
When did France reclaim Alsace? Why is this important to winemaking style?
1945 post WWII. This marks the beginning of the divergence in winemaking styles…German remaining sweeter in style and Alsatian dryer in style.
When did Alsace reach AOP Status?
- The last French region to do so.
What are the two departments of Alsace? Why is this relevant?
Haut Rhin (southern) Bas Rhin (northern) 2/3 of the grand cru vineyards are located in the Haut Rhin.
Which mountains separate Alsace from the rest of France? Where are they located?
Vosges mountains
Western border of Alsace to the rest of France
What do the Vosges mountains offer geographically to the winemaking climate of Alscae?
It provides a rain shadow, making Alsace the driest and sunniest winemaking climates in France.
Where is the capital of of the Haut-Rhin?
Colmar. Driest city in France
Gerographically, where do the vineyards exist in Alsace?
In a thin string along the foothills of the Vosges mountains. Bascially down the center of Alsace.
What is the climate classification of Alsace?
Continental or semi-continental
The best vineyards enjoy what direction of exposure? Why is this important?
Southern, Southeastern, or warm eastern exposure to maximize sunlight
True or False: Vineyards in Alsace generally ripen sooner than their counterparts in Loire or Burgundy?
True. Due to sunlight hours.
What is the local pink sandstone of Alsace called?
gres de vosges
Generally speaking, what are the major soil types of the higher slopes in Alsace?
Schist, granite, and volcanic sediment
Generally speaking what are the major soil types of the lower slopes in Alsace?
Limestone base
Generally speaking, what are the major soil types of the plains at the foot of the mountains in Alsace?
richer alluvial clay and gravel.
What percentage of Alsatian AOP wine production is white?
90%– 20% of France’s total output of AOP still white wine
What are the four noble grapes of Alsace?
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, and Gewurtztraminer
What are the types of Muscat that are permitted as Alsatian noble grapes?
Muscat Ottonel
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
Muscat Rose a Petit Grains
Name all the grapes permitted in Alsace AOP
Riesling Pinot Gris Muscat Gewurtztraminer Pinot Blanc Chasselas Sylvaner Pinot Noir
Synonym for Pinot Blanc in Alsace
Klevner
Synonym for Chasselas in Alsace
Gutedel
What percentage of grape variety must be in the bottle if varietally labeled in Alsace?
100%
If a bottle of Alsatian Auxerrois is 100% Auxerrois, what can the varietal say on the label?
Pinot Blanc or Auxerrois
What grapes can be in an Alsatian white wine bottle simply labeled “PINOT”
Any proportion of the following: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, or Auxerrois
What is the most planted grape in Alsace?
Riesling
What grape is the largest volume of appellation production in Alsace?
When considered collectively, it is Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois
Which is the last of the Alsatian noble varieties to ripen?
Riesling
Characteristically, how does Alsatian Riesling compare to its German counterparts?
Drier, more powerful, and higher in alcohol
When did Alsatian AOP change to mandate that standard Riesling be made dry?
2008
What is considered to be Alsace’s quintessential white wine?
Pinot Gris– Pinnacle of this grape..fullest richest expression with spicy smoky qualities, rich fruit, flinty minerality
What is the ancestral name of Gewurtztraminer?
Traminer
What is Traminer known as in the Jura?
Savagnin. Generally Pink-Skinned
What is Klevener? Where is is produced?
Klevener is the synonym of Traminer (or Savagnin in the Jura) It is “Savagnin Rose or Klevener de Heiligenstein”
What is Klevener de Heiligenstien?
A rose savagnin that can only be made around the commune of Heiligenstein in the BAS RHIN
What five communes can bottle Klevener de Heiligenstein?
Gertwiller, Goxwiller, Heiligenstein, Bourgheim, Obernai