Alsace Flashcards
What is the climate of Alsace?
Cool Continental
What effect do the Vosage mountains have on Alsace?
The Vosage mountains act as a rain shadow creating a microclimate in Alsace, making it one of the driest regions in France.
What is the annual Rainfall in Alsace?
500ml
What are the two Sub-districts of Alsace?
Bas-Rhin (North)
Haut-Rhin (South)
Which Sub-district is considered the premium area in Alsace?
The Haut Rhin is deemed more superiors as it is where most the premium sites are located
What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace?
Riesling
Gewurtztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Asides from the 4 Nobel varieties, what other white varieties are permitted in Alsace?
Sylvaner
Pinot Blanc (Cleaner/Klevner)
Chasselas
Auxerrois
Chardonnay (only permitted as a blending grape in Cremant d’Alsace)
What is the only Permitted red Varieties in Alsace?
Pinot Noir
How many Grand cru’s are there in Alsace?
There are 51 Grand crus in Alsace
What is the one exception the noble varietals of Alsace?
Zotzenberg is the only grand cru to permitted to use Sylvaner
What does Edelzwicker indicate on a bottle of Alsatian wine?
Edelzwicker / “Noble Mixture” indicates an inferior wine made from a blend of grapes.
Wines do not legally need to be vintage wines, nor do they have to contain more than one variety.
What does Gentil indicate on a bottle of Alsatian wine?
These wines are superior to Edelzwicker.
Legally they must contain a minimum of 50% noble varieties the other grapes must be AOC permitted and they must be vinified separately.
What are the two cities either end of Alsace?
Strasbourg (North)
Mulhouse (South)
Is Chaptalization permitted in Alsace?
Yes, in all but VT & SGN Wines
What is the Minimum alcohol % for the 4 noble varieties on AOC Alsace Grand Cru?
11%abv Riesling & Muscat
12.5% abv Gewurtztraminer & Pinot Gris
Name 3 AOC Alsace Grand cru vineyards which are permitted to blend?
Zotzenberg
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf
What is the designation for sparkling wines in Alsace?
AC Cremant
What does VT Stand for in Alsace?
Vendange Tardive (Late Harvest). The grapes are left on the vines in a good year to allow grapes to become over ripe and attract Botrytis.
Only Noble varieties can be used.
These wines can range form dry to sweet, the most common being made from Gewurtztraminer.
What does SGN stand for on Alsatian wine?
Selection de Grains Nobles, sweet wine affected by Boytritis which is only made in the greatest years. Grapes are harvested In several tries as in Sauternes.
What is Alsace Communals?
There are 13 communes in Alsace, these have higher restrictions over Alsace AOC.
What is a Lieux-dits in Alsace?
This is an individual vineyard or plot within an appellation, this is of higher quality and subject to stricter restrictions than Alsace AOC.
Where is Trimbach Clos ste Hune Vineyard?
In the heart of Grand Cru Rosacker, in Hunawihr.
