Alsace Flashcards
<p>4 examples of Alsace producers:</p>
<p>Hugel.</p>
<p>Trimbach.</p>
<p>Marcel Deiss.</p>
<p>Zind-Humbrecht.</p>
<p>All Alsace AOP wines are required to be bottled in what traditional bottle?</p>
<p>Flûte d'Alsace</p>
<p>All varietally-labeled wines from Alsace must be made from 100% of that variety, with which exception?</p>
<p>Pinot Blanc, which may be blended with Auxerrois.</p>
Alsace % Chardonnay plantings
1% (8th)
Alsace % Chasselas plantings
0.6% (9th)
Alsace % Gewurtztraminer plantings
19.4% (3rd)
Alsace % Muscat plantings
2.3% (7th)
Alsace % Pinot Blanc plantings
21.2% (2nd)
Alsace % Pinot Gris plantings
15.4% (4th)
Alsace % Pinot Noir plantings
9.9% (5th)
Alsace % Riesling plantings
21.9% (1st)
Alsace % Savagnin Rosé plantings
0.3% (10th)
Alsace % Sylvaner plantings
7.5% (6th)
Alsace and biodynamics
Widely practiced
Low disease pressure
<p>Alsace AOC plus a commune is allowed - how many communes?</p>
<p><strong>Alsace AOC</strong> with one of the 13 commune names added</p>
<ul>
<li>72 hL/Ha. Maximum yield for whites</li>
<li>A commune is a ‘Bergheim’</li>
</ul>
<p>Alsace AOC plus a 'lieu-dit' is allowed - what is a lieu-dit?</p>
<p><strong>Alsace AOC</strong> plus a ‘lieu-dit’</p>
<ul>
<li>A ‘lieu-dit’ is a named site – a single vineyard – generally has historical name of some significance</li>
<li>68 hL/Ha. Maximum yield for whites</li>
</ul>
Alsace AOP blanc maximum yield
75 hl/ha
Alsace AOP Riesling allowed sweetness level
Dry
Alsace AOP rose maximum yield
80 hl/ha
Alsace AOP rouge maximum yield
60 hl/ha
Alsace Grand Cru AOP maximum yield
55 hl/ha
<p>Alsace Grand Cru wines are produced only from the Noble Varieties and are single-variety wines.</p>
<p>What are the 3 exceptions and what is different about them?</p>
<p>Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf may blend varieties.</p>
<p>Zotzenberg is a historical site for Sylvaner.</p>
<p>Alsace is mainly known for its white wine, but which red grape variety is most commonly grown there?</p>
<p>Pinot Noir</p>
Alsace noble grapes
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Gewurtztraminer
Alsace vine training on slopes
Low (radiated heat)
Faces best sun exposure
Alsace vine training plains
High (frost avoidance)
Alsace VT and SGB release date
1 June of 2nd year after harvest
Alsace VT and SGN requirements?
Contain a singe noble variety
Pass blind tasting panel
Contain prescribed minimum sugar levels
<p>Alsace white winemaking options - what are the general ones used?</p>
<ul>
<li>KEY Aim to preserve primary fruit character
<ul>
<li>Temp control installed</li>
<li>Inert ferment vessels used to retain primary fruit</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Harvest can be spread out due to different aspects, altitudes, varietals and soil types</li>
<li>Pre ferment skin contact or keeping pressed grapes longer - practised by some to extract flavour molecules & add texture</li>
<li><strong>Ferment temperature</strong></li>
<li>Cool ferment used for Muscat, Riesling, Sylvaner</li>
<li>Mid-range temps more likely used for Gewurztraminer
<ul>
<li>pronounced aromas not affected by slightly higher temps</li>
<li>slightly higher temp is desirable so can ferment to reach higher alcohol levels</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>very low ferment temps avoided to avoid banana aromas</li>
<li>Some prefer ambient yeasts rather than cultured yeast</li>
<li><strong>MLF avoided – to preserve primary fruit</strong></li>
<li>Very little new oak used</li>
<li>Aged in Large neutral containers & SS on fine lees (for freshness), without Lees stirring to retain primary flavours</li>
<li>Chaptalization is allowed except for Vendange Tardive.</li>
<li>Increasing no of producers indicate sweetness on label: Previously it was knowledge of individual house style that dictated knowledge of level of RS</li>
</ul>
Alsace’s climate type
Cool to moderate continental
<p>Alsatian Grand Cru vineyards can only produce Grand Cru wines.</p>
<p>True or False?</p>
<p>False.</p>
<p>Alsatian Grand Cru wines may NOT be chaptalized.</p>
<p>True or False?</p>
<p>False</p>
Altenberg de Bergbieten location
Grand Cru
Bergieten Commune
Bas-Rhin
Alsace
Altenberg de Bergheim blend
50-70% Riesling
10-25% Pinot Gris
10-25% Gewurtztraminer
Max 10% other
Altenberg de Wolxheim location
Grand cru
Wolxheim commune
Bas-Rhin
Alsace
AOP(s) of Lorraine
Côtes de Toul AOP
Moselle AOP
Authorized grapes of Crémant de Alsace AOP
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Auxerrois
<p>Auxerrois is a synonym for Pinot Blanc.</p>
<p>True or False?</p>
<p>False, though it is often blended with Pinot Blanc.</p>
Auxerrois vs Pinot Blanc
Similar characteristics
More full bodied
Slightly spicier
Base of the Vosges Mountains soil composition
Alluvial clay and gravel soils
Best Alsace Gewurtztraminer style
Pungent
Lychees
Rose
Sweet baking spices
Sometimes golden color
Full bodied
Oily texture
Low to med acid
High alcohol
Best Alsace Muscat style
Intensely aromatic
Orange Blossom
Rose
Grape
Light to med body
Low to med acidity
Best Alsace Pinot Gris
Rich
Full bodied
High alcohol
Med acid
Pronounced intensity
Fresh and dried fruits
Honeyed character
Best Alsace riesling style
Med to full body
Dry
Med alcohol
High acid
Citrus and stone fruit
Stony or steely character
Less floral than German
<p>Best vineyards sites in Alsace are site in what locations?</p>
<ul>
<li>Altitude: Best vineyards at 200-250 m on slopes; some at 450 m</li>
<li>Best vineyards: South, SE; SW facing for max sun interception</li>
</ul>
Best vintages Alsace
2016
2009
2007
2005
2000
1997
1990
1989
1988
1985
Brand location
Grand Cru
Turckheim commune
Haut-Rhin
Alsace
Bruderthal location
Grand Cru
Molsheim commune
Bas-Rhin
Alsace
<p>Climate of Alsace?</p>
<ul>
<li>North Eastern France</li>
<li>Warm, sunny, dry due to protection of Vosges mountains</li>
<li>Westerly winds carry rain clouds; but fall on the Westerly side of Vosges mountains</li>
<li>Rain shadow + wind protection</li>
<li>600mm annual rainfall; Less than 1/2 of what falls on the other side of mountains</li>
<li>Moderate rainfall but throughout year can be an issue at flowering and set;</li>
<li>Rain spread throughout yr; can be an issue at flowering/fruit set</li>
<li>1800+ sunshine hours/year</li>
<li>Long ripening /growing season (dry warm autumn)</li>
<li>Continental climate</li>
<li>Fohn wind: a drying influence; a warm wind that raises temps & reduces incidence of fungal disease</li>
</ul>
<p>Marked diurnal temps esp. on higher sites; retaining Acidity</p>
Côtes de Toul
AOP in Lorraine
Crémant d’Alsace lees aging
Minimum 9 months
Départments of Alsace (north to south)
Bas-Rhin
Haut-Rhin
<p>Depending on variety, how late can grape picking happen</p>
<p>End November / early December</p>
Describe Albert Boxler
Haut-Rhin
Organic
Labels GC wines after subplots within
Describe Clos Saint Hune
Monopole in Rosacker Grand Cru Alsace
Owned by Trimbach
Describe Domaine Ostertag
Bas-Rhin
Biodynamic
Uses unofficial tags (Vins de Fruit/ Vins de Pierre/ Vins de Temps)
Describe Domaine Weinbach
Haut-Rhin
Biodynamic since 2005
Owns Clos des Capucins
Describe Trimbach
Haut-Rhin
No Grand Cru use
Clos Saint Hune
Cuvée Frédéric Emile;
Describe Zind-Humbrecht
Haut-Rhin
Staunchly biodynamic/non-interventionist
Owns GC Rangen de Thann and Clos Saint Urbain within it
Eichberg location
Grand Cru
Eguisheim commune
Haut-Rhin
Alsace
Engelberg location
Grand Cru
Dahlenheim and Scharrachbergheim communes
Bas-Rhin
Alsace
Exceptions to Alsace Grand Cru grape requirements
Zotzenberg is allowed to produced 100% Sylvaner
Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf are allowed to blend according to prescribed proportions
First approved Alsace Grand Cru
Schlossberg
Florimont location
Grand Cru
Ingersheim and Katzenthal communes
Haut-Rhin
Alsace
Frankstein location
Grand Cru
Dambach-la-Ville commune
Bas-Rhin
Alsace
Froehn location
Grand Cru
Zellenberg commune
Haut-Rhin
Alsace
Furstentum location
Grand Cru
Kientzheim and Sigolsheim communes
Haut-Rhin
Alsace
Geisberg location
Grand Cru
Ribeauvillé commune
Haut-Rhin
Alsace
General grape requirements for Alsace Grand Cru wines
Must be produced from noble varieties
Must be single-variety wines
<p>Gewurztraminer - describe the varietal and the wines produced</p>
<p><strong> GEWURZTRAMINER – 3rd most planted:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Early budding (prone to spring frosts) Early ripening (avoiding Autumn rains)</li>
<li>Picked late in Alsace to reach full ripeness to maximise aromas, avoiding unripe grapes</li>
<li>Vigorous; Need careful pruning; canopy management;</li>
<li>Prone to coulure</li>
<li>Can suffer from Chlorosis; desiccation of stems; powdery mildew; grape vine moth; grey rot; virus free clones have been produced to reduce these issues</li>
<li>Wines
<ul>
<li>Typically: medium Lemon in colour (grapes are light pink)</li>
<li>Pronounced aromas of Lychee, Peach/Apricot, Rose, Spice (Gewurtz means Spice)</li>
<li>Medium to high Alcohol</li>
<li>Medium to Full Body</li>
<li>Low Acidity</li>
<li>Range of style: dry to Sweet</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Good to Outstanding; Mid to Premium</li>
<li>Best around Barr (Bas Rhin); richer and more aromatic in Southern Alsace</li>
</ul>
Gloeckelberg location
Grand Cru
Rodern and Saint-Hippolyte communes
Haut-Rhin
Alsace
Goldert location
Grand Cru
Gueberschwihr commune
Haut-Rhin
Alsace
Grapes allowed in Alsace AOP
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Muscat Ottonel
Gewurtztraminer
Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Chasselas (Gutedal)
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
<p>Harvest - what is it and what are the challenges?</p>
<ul>
<li>Long harvest period; Sept to late Oct; due to range of styles & altitudes</li>
<li>Styles: Sparkling, late picked, Botrytis affected wines</li>
<li>Vineyards on steep slopes handpicked; adding to cost</li>
<li>AOC regulations demand that Grand Cru handpicked</li>
<li>Vineyards on gentle slopes can be picked by machines</li>
</ul>
Hatschbourg location
Grand Cru
Hattstatt and Voegtlinshoffen communes
Haut-Rhin
Alsace
Hengst location
Grand Cru
Wintzenheim commune
Haut-Rhin
Alsace
How many Alsatian communes are allowed to varietally bottle Savignin Rose (Klevener de Heiligenstein)?
5
<p>How many Grand Cru vineyards are in Alsace?</p>
<p>51</p>
<p>How many Grand Cru vineyards are in Alsace?</p>
<p>51</p>
<p>In Alsace, what are the typical soil types found in:</p>
<p>1. Steeper slopes. (3)</p>
<p>2. Lower slopes. (1)</p>
<p>3. Flatter plains. (2)</p>
<p>1. Schist, granite, volcanic sediment.</p>
<p>2. Limestone/sandstone</p>
<p>3. Alluvial clay, gravel.</p>
In which départment are Alsace’s best wines typically found?
Haut-Rhin
<p>In which wine region can the town of Riquewihr be found? </p>
<p>Alsace</p>
Is hand-harvesting required for Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines?
Yes
Kaefferkopf blend
60-80% Gewurtztraminer
10-40% Riesling
Max 30% Pinot Gris
Max 10% Muscat
Kaefferkopf location
Grand Cru
Ammerschwihr commune
Haut-Rhin
Alsace