Alsace Flashcards
What wars impacted the ownership of Alsace?
30 years war (1618-1648) - Seized by France
Franco-Prussian War (-1871) - Seized by Germany
WWI - Independent for one month, then seized by France
WWII - Occupied by Nazi, reclaimed by France
How far back did Alsace have viticulture?
What caused it’s decline?
1000 AD - 160 villages
30 Years War, Franco-Prussian War, WWI, WWII
When did Alsace gain AOP status?
1962
Last major winegrowing region to do so
What are the departments of Alsace?
Haut-Rhin
Bas-Rhin
What region is Alsace apart of with Lorraine and Champagne?
Grand Est Region
Which department contains most of the Grand Cru vineyards?
Haut Rhin
What % min of a grape is required for labeling in Alsace?
What is the exception?
100%
Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois can both be labeled as Pinot Blanc, even if 100% Auxerrois
When was Alsace Grand Cru AOP created?
1975
When must a producer declare intent to produce a Grand Cru AOP wine?
March 1st of the year of harvest
What bottle must be used for Alsace Grand Cru AOP and Vin d’Alsace AOP?
Vin du Rhin/Flute d’Alsace
When can Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines be released?
June 1st, year after harvest
When can Alsace Grand AOP Vendage Tardive and Selecion de Grains Nobles be released?
June 1st, 2nd year after harvest
When can Vin d’Alsace AOP Vendage Tardive and Selecion de Grains Nobles be released?
June 1st, 2nd year after harvest
What was the first Grand Cru to be named?
Schlossberg Grand Cru
When were more Grand Crus added in Alsace?
24 in 1983
25 in 1992
1 in 2007 (Kaefferkopf)
When did each Grand Cru vineyard become their own AOP?
2011
What are the noble grapes?
Riesling
Muscat
Pinot Gris
Gewurztraminer
What grapes are allowed for Grand Cru?
Noble Grapes
EXCEPT
Zotzenberg which is a historical site for Silvaner
Silvaner CANNOT be used for VT and SGN
Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr allow Pinot Noir
What Grand Crus do not allow Muscat?
Zotzenberg
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf
Which Grand Crus allow blends?
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf
What the blending rules for Altenberg de Bergheim Grand Cru?
50-70% Riesling
10-25% Pinot Gris
10-25% Gewurztraminer
max. 10% combined Chasselas, Muscat, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc
What are the blending rules for Kaefferkopf Grand Cru?
60-80% Gewurztraminer
10-40% Riesling,
max. 30% Pinot Gris
max. 10% Muscat
What method of harvesting is allowed in Vin d’Alsace AOP?
Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wines labeled by a lieu-dit, and all Alsace VT and SGN wines, must be hand-harvested
What method of harvesting is allowed in Alsace Grand Cru AOP?
Hand-harvest
What are the must weight requirements for Alsace Grand Cru AOP?
Riesling, Muscat, Sylvaner: 168 g/l
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 193 g/l
What are the must weight requirements for Vin d’Alsace Vendage Tardive?
Riesling, Muscat: 244 g/l (formerly 235 g/l)
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 270g/l (formerly 256g/l)
What are the must weight requirements for Vin d’Alsace SGN?
Riesling, Muscat: 276 g/l (formerly 256 g/l)
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 306 g/l (formerly 279 g/l)
What are the must weight requirements for Alsace Grand Cru Vendage Tardive?
Riesling, Muscat: 244 g/l (formerly 235 g/l)
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 270g/l (formerly 256g/l)
What are the must weight requirements for Alsace Grand Cru SGN?
Riesling, Muscat: 276 g/l (formerly 256 g/l)
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 306 g/l (formerly 279 g/l)
Which Grand Cru AOP has different must weight requirements then the rest?
Altenberg de Bergheim
What are the must weight requirements for Altenberg de Bergheim Grand Cru AOP?
Riesling: 185 g/l
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 218 g/l
VT and SGN are same as Grand Cru AOP and Vin d’Alsace
What are the yields allowed for Alsace Grand Cru AOP?
55 hl/ha
What are the minimum alcohol levels for each Grand Cru AOP grape?
Riesling, Muscat and Sylvaner - 11%
Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer - 12.5%
Which Grand Cru AOPs have different minimum alcohol requirements?
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf