Alsace Flashcards
Climate of Alsace?
Warm, sunny, dry
Vosges mountains
Moderate rainfall
Irrigation not permitted
High sunshine
Fohn wind (warm, drying)
Current plantings of Alsace?
Still wines decreasing
Sparkling increasing
Soil/slopes of Alsace?
S/SW/SE slopes
High altitude for quality
Deep/fertile in plains, lower fertility on slopes
Riesling in Alsace?
Cold-hardy
Late-budding
Needs full sun exposure, good drainage, long growing season
Good disease resistance
Riesling tasting note?
Dry
H acid
M/F body
M alc
Lemon, grapefruit, peach, stone
Gewurztraminer in Alsace?
Early budding
Early ripening (picked late)
Vigorous - moderate productivity (coulure)
Prone to chlorosis, desiccation of stems, powdery mildew, grape vine moth, grey rot
Gewurztraminer tasting note?
Pronounced intensity
Lychee, peach/apricot, rose, spice
M/H alc
M/F body
L acid
Dry -> sweet
Describe Auxerrois?
Early ripening
Low aromatics
Can be labeled Pinot Blanc
Auxerrois tasting note?
Low intensity
Apple/peach
M acid
M alc
Describe Pinot Gris?
Early budding
Early ripening
Moderate yields
Susceptible to botrytis and downy mildew
Rapid increase of sugar levels/acid decrease
Pinot Gris tasting note?
Shift to drier style
M/H alc
Med int
Peach/apple
F body
M acid
Rich, oily texture
Honey/smoke with age
Describe Sylvaner?
Declining
Old vines on slopes
Pinot Gris/Blanc are taking over - easier to grow
Muscat in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains and Muscat Ottonel
Ottonel is later ripening and good to avoid autumn rains
Vineyard management in Alsace?
Single or double gGuyot
High training - 1/1.2m off ground
Canopies higher - sun exposure
Grand Cru picked by hand
More organic than average in France3e
Powdery/Downy mildew, grape vine moth, esca
Winemaking in Alsace?
Cool fermentation (except Gewurz - mid-range due to higher alc)
Pre-fermentation skin contact or extended pressing sometimes used for more flavor/texture
Lees but no stirring
MLF avoided
Little new oak
Sweetness scale added to labels from 2021 vintage
