Alsace Flashcards
What is the Climate of Alsace?
Cool Continental Climate
What are the mountains that protect Alsace?
The Vosage
What do the Vosage Mountains create for Alsace?
The mountains act as a rain shield creating a micro-climate in Alsace making it one of the driest regions in France.
What is the average yearly rainfall in Alsace?
500ml
What are the two sub-districts of Alsace?
Bas-Rhin (North)
Haut-Rhin (South)
Which of Alsace’s subregions is deemed more superior?
Haut-Rhin
What are the soils in the best vineyards?
Thin top soils with sub-soils of weathered Gneiss, Granite, Sandstone, Schist & Volcanic sediment
What are the 4 Noble grapes of Alsace?
Riesling
Gewurtztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
What is the one exception to the Noble grapes in Alsace?
Sylvaner - Can only produce Grand cru wines from Zotzenberg
Besides the 4 Noble varieties what other white grapes are permitted in Alsace?
Sylvaner
Pinot Blanc
Chasselas
Auxerrois
Chardonnay (only permitted for blending into crémant d’Alsace)
What is the only permitted Red varietal in Alsace wine?
Pinot Noir
When was Alsace Grand cru first introduced to the region?
1975
How many Grand cru vineyards are there in Alsace?
51 Grand cru Sites
What is the only Grand cru to not use one of the 4 Noble grapes? What is the grape used?
Zotzenberg, Sylvaner
What is the most important variety for Crémant d’Alsace?
Pinot Blanc
What are the permitted blending grapes in Crémant d’Alsace?
Pinot Gris
Riesling
Auxerrios
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir (only permitted for Rose)
What is a Communale in Alsace?
There are 13 communal in Alsace, these have stricter rules than general Alsace AOC wines
What is a Lieu-Dit (Lou-Dee) in Alsace?
This indicates the wines are from smaller plots or vineyards. These wines have stricter restrictions then Alsace AOC and Communal wines.
What does VT stand for on Alsacian wine?
Vendanges Tardives - Late harvest grapes
VT wines in Alsace are usually fermented dry, True or False?
True - Are harvest grapes are nearly always fermented dry which increases the alcohol content and produces fuller flavours and body.
What does SGN Stand for on bottles of Alsacian wine?
Selection de Grains Nobles - botrytis wine
What does Edelzwicker stand for?
‘Nobel Mixture’ Indicates an inexpensive blended wine. Alsace AOC wines labeled this do not legally need to be vintage wines, nor do they have to contain more than one grape.
What for Gentil mean on a bottle of Alsace wine?
This is a blended wine, however these wines are superior to Edelzwicker wines.
What is the legal requirements for wines labeled Gentil?
They must contain a minimum of 50% Noble varieties and the other grapes must be Alsace AOC permitted. All varieties must be vilified separately.
What other names is Pinot Blanc known as in Alsace?
Clevner / Klevner
Is Chaptalization permitted in Alsace?
Yes, in all Alsace wines besides Vendange Tardive (VT) and Sélection de Grains Noble (SGN)
What is another name for Chasselas
Gutedel
What are the two best know vineyard towns in Alsace?
Ribeauvillé & Riquewihr`
What is the Business centre of Alsace?
Colmar
What are the cities at either end of the Alsace region?
Strasbourg (North)
Mulhouse (South)
What is the Minimum % abv in AOC Alsace / AOC Vin d’Alsace?
8.5% abv
What is the Minimum % abv for Grand Cru Riesling & Muscat?
11% abv
What is the minimum % abv for Grand Cru Gewurtztraminer & Pinot Gris?
12.5% abv
Name 2 vineyards which permit the blending of grapes in their Grand Cru wine?
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf
What is the best soil for riesling in Alsace?
Granite
Which Grand cru Vineyard does Trimbach Clos st Hune come from? Bonus - what’s the soil type of the vineyard?
Rosacker
Limestone form the Triassic period.
Name 5 Grand Cru’s of Alsace?
Schlossberg
Geisberg
Goldert
Sommerberg
Kessler
Osterberg
