Alsace

Question 1

Topography (Cities, water bodies, mountains)
Factor effecting climate, hazards, Terroir

Answer 1

Sub region: Bas rhin, Haute rhin

City: Strasbourg, Colmar (sunniest city in France), Mulhouse.

River: Rhine
Forest: Blackforest
Mountain: Vosges

Cool to moderate continental climate.

The Vosges Mountains create altitude (100m to 400m), protect from rain (which is very low - 500mm per year) and raise the amount of sunshine. SO, flowering is not a problem at all here.

On the plains, the frost hazard if prevented by planting the vine high off the ground.

The best vineyards are on slopes with south-east facing aspects on the hillside of the Vosges Mountains.
Vines are trained low to benefit from radiated heat.

Huge soil diversity, that makes wines very different
Mainly soil are made of Granite - volcanic schist rock (promotes flavour and acidity)
Gravel and Clay are used for heat and water retention.

Question 2

Winemaking

Answer 2

Reductive winemaking to preserve the aromatics.

The majority of winemakers use neutral barrels bearing little-to-no oak aromas (wood from the Vosges, with thick tartare that minimise oxygen)
Stainless steel controlled temperature also used.
Ageing on lees is usually used

MLF avoided to protect aromatic.

To preserve aromatics we can use:

Sulphur dioxide as preservative to ensure the wine is kept fresh
The wine is pressed and no skin contact
Anaerobic condition during fermentation and maturation

Question 3

White Grape Varieties

Answer 3

Premium wines are floral, fruity and with wet stones. with great potential for bottle ageing

Gewurztraminer, Muscat blanc, Pinot gris, Riesling

Other: Auxerrois, Chasselas, Chardonnay (only sparkling), Pinot blanc, Sylvaner

Question 4

Red grape varieties

Answer 4

Pinot noir (rose production)

Question 5

Classifications / label terminology

Answer 5

Alsace Grand Cru (51) vineyards
Alsace AOC
Alsace Vin d’Alsace AOC (regional)
Cremant - Muscat sparkling wine ( harvest in September)

80% of wines are single varietal
Blends are:
Gentil (blend with min 50% of noble grape)
Edelzwicker (blend of noble grape)

The name of the grape can appear on the label (if %100)

Based on sugar ripeness of the grape:
- Vendanges tardive (harvest in October) from dry to medium sweet
- Selection de Grains Nobles (always effected by Botrytis - harvest in November) sweet only
Ice wine

Question 6

Gran cru (25)

Must know *

Answer 6

Gimmy:
Sommerberg (powerful riesling)
Spiegel
Schlossberg

• Altenberg
• Bruderthal
• Engelberg
• Florimont
• Frankstein
• Froehn
• Furstentum
• Mambourg
• Mandelberg
• Marckrain
• Muenchberg
• Osterberg
• Pfersigberg
• Pfingstberg
• Praelatenberg
• Schoenenbourg
• Sporen
• Steinert
• Steingrubler
• Steinklotz
• Vorbourg
• Wineck-Schlossberg
• Winzenberg
• Zinnkoepflé
• Zotzenberg

Question 7

prestige cuvees

Answer 7

Fred emile

Clos Jebsal

Clos Windsbuhl

Clos St Hune (riesling)

…

Question 8

Few producers

Answer 8

Albert Mann, Weinbach, Trimbach, Zind-Humbrecht, Hugel and Fils

Question 9

Haute rhin AOC

Answer 9

higher elevation
more protection by the Vosges, so the best vineyards

• Bergheim (GWZ)
• Coteaux du Haut-Koenigsbourg (RG)
• Côtes de Rouffach (RG, PG, GWZ,PN)
• Rodern (PN)
• Saint-Hyppolyte (PN)
• Val Saint Grégoire (PB, AXR, PG)
• Vallée Noble (RG, PG, GWZ)

Question 10

Bas rhin AOC

Answer 10

lower elevation
not as protected by the Vosges, so fewer good vineyards

• Blienschwiller (SVR)
• Côtes de Barr (SVR)
• Coteaux du Haut-Koenigsbourg (RG)
• Klevener de Heiligenstein (Savagnin R)
• Ottrott (PN)
• Scherwiller (RG)
• Wolxheim (RG)