Alsace Flashcards by John Shek

What is the climate of Alsace?

Cool to moderate continental, with cold winters and warm sunny summers.

Moderate rainfall, summer drought can be a problem as irrigation not permitted for AOC wines. Wettest month in August.

High sunshine hours.

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What are the natural influences in Alsace affecting viticulture?

Föhn wind drying influence, raise temperatures and reduces fingal disease risks.

Vosges mountain provides protection from rain and winds from the west.

Wettest month in August affecting flowering and fruit set.

Diurnal range at altitude.

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What type of Alsation wines were most in demand in the early 20th century?

Inexpensive wines from grapes grown on the flatter lands.

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What types of soils are there in Alsace?

Soil types very varied, hence the term ‘mosaic of terroirs’

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At what altitudes are the best sites of Alsace?

200-250m

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What are the noble grape varieties of Alsace?

Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat and Pinot Gris.

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Which wine styles and AOCs of Alsace only permit noble varieties?

Grand Cru, Vendange Tardive and Selection de Grains Nobles

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What are the top grapes of Alsace?

Riesling.
Pinot Blanc.
Gewurztraminer.
Pinot Gris.
Pinot Noir.
Sylvaner.

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What are the main characteristics of the Riesling grape?

Late budding.

Needs good site and long growing season to ripen fully.

Cold-hardy.

Very good wuality at relatively high yields (70 hL/ha).

Good disease resistance.

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What is the typical style of Riesling in Alsace?

High acidity, dry, medium alcohol, medium to full body, medoum to pronounced intensity, lemon, grapefruit, stone fruit, steely/stony character.

Good to outstanding.

Mid-prices to premium, some super premium.

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What arevteh key characteristics of Gewürztraminer?

Early budding and early ripening.

Accumulates sugar quickly.

Vigorous but moderately productive due to coulure.

Vulnerable to chlorosis, desiccation of the stems, powdery mildew, grape vine moth and grey rot.

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What is the typcial style Gewürztraminer from Alsace?

Low acidity, medium lemon in colour, dry to sweet, medium to high alcohol, medium to full body, pronounced intensity, lychee, peach/apricot, rose, spice.

Good to outstanding.

Mid-prices to premium.

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Which grape variety in Alsace use virus-free clones to reduce risks from disease etc?

Gewürztraminer

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What is the typical style of Alsation Pinot Blanc?

Medium acidity, medium alcohol, low intensity, apple, peach.

Acceptable to good, some very good.

Inexpensive to mid-priced.

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What are the key characteristics of the Pinot Gris grape?

Early budding and eatly ripening.

Moderate yields.

Prone to botrytis bunch rot and downy mildew.

Can accumulate high sugar levels.

Rapid increase in sugar and a drop in acidity.

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What is the style of Alsation Pinot Gris?

Dry to sweet.

Medium acidity, medium to high alcohol, full bodied, medium intensity, peach, apple.

Bests have rich oily texture, can age and develop honey and smoky notes.

Good to outstanding.

Mid-prices to premium.

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Comment on Sylvaner in Alsace

In decline.

Mainly from older vines.

Reputation for good value wines if very good quality.

What is the common training method in Alsace?

Single of double guyot required by AOC rules.

In Alsace, how do they manage the risk of frost and humidity?

Train higher than other regions.

How do growers maximise sun exposure in Alsace?

Have higher canopies, but row spacer wider to avoid shading.

What is the typical pal ting density in Alsace?

Around 5k vine per hectare.

Less dense on valley floor and denser on slopes.

What sites in Alsace may have terraces?

Steepest slopes such as grand cru sites?

What methods of harvesting ate used in Alsace?

Steep slopes and grand cru (AOC rules) by hand.

Rest by machines.

Why does Alsace have a long harvest period?

They have a wide range of wine styles and diversity of sites.

What are the main pests and diseases in Alsace?

Mildews, botrytis bunch rot, esca and grape vine moth.

Why does Alsace have a relatively low incidence if fungal diseases?

Warm sunny climate with low rainfall. Smaller average holdings mean more attention on vine health in the vineyard.

What are the main winemaking choices for Alsation producers?

Preserving primary fruits is main aim Some add texture and flavours by pre-fermentation slin contact or keep pressed grapes in the press for longer. Cool fermentation temperatures for Riesling, Muscat and Sylvaner. Mid range fermentation temperatures for Gewürztraminer. Temperature controlled vessells now common. Inert vessells such as stainless steel and neutral large oak casts for both fermentation and maturation. Higher quality producers use ambient yeasts. MLC is avoided mainly. Very little new oak. Aged in fine lees but not stirred.

What labelling change have Alsation producers adopted in recent years?

Indicate sweetness levels as little consistency in the amount of residual sugars.

What are the max yields in Alsace?

From grand crus of 50 hL/ha to general Alsace AOC’s of up to 100 hL/ha.

Name a Alsation hrand cru vineyard

Rangen

Is chaptalisation used in Alsace?

Yes especially in cooler years.

From a regulation perspective, what changed in Alsace in 2011?

The 51 grand cru vineyards became individual grand crus. This allows each grand crus to set their own rules such as max yields etc.

Are there any premier crus in Alsace?

No, but ongoing discussions on having individual vineyards as premier crus.

What is the minimum sugar level for Vendange Tardive and Selection de Grains Nobles?

Around 250 g/L for Vendange Tardive Around 300 g/L for Selection de Grains Nobles

Can Vendange Tardive wines be dry?

Yes as regulations doesn’t stipulate sweetness level of final wines but just the usage of late harvest grapes and minimum sugar levels.

What is the main route to market for Alsace wines?

Co-operatives at 40% of sales

Who do Alsation growers sell grapes to?

Co-ops and larger wineries due to small holdings.

How much Alsace production is sold in France?

75% due to reputation as gastronomic wines.

Which export markets are key for Alsace?

EU and North America.

Name a key Alsation co-operative

Cave de Turckheim

From a marketing point if view, what is quite unique for wines of Alsace?

Many producers have all range of styles covering all 4 quality levels. So wine image based in general Alsace reputation and that of individual producers. No bag in box allowed. All bottled in tall thin ‘flute’ bottles, so clear identity but could be confused with German wines.