Alsace Flashcards
Where is Alsace located?
In Northeastern France on the east side of the Vosges Mountains
What is the climate in Alsace? Why?
Continental climate.
Summers are warm, sunny, and unusually dry due to protection from inclement weather by the Vosges mountains
Winters are cold.
600mm rainfall per year.
Fohn wind has impact.
Large diurnal range.
How much of the wine output from Alsace is white? Are they typically varietal or blends?
90%
All wines are generally varietal wines
Are Alsatian wines generally unoaked or oaked?
Unoaked
How can the German influence on Alsatian wine production be seen?
In the use of aromatic varieties such as Gewurztraminer and Riesling
What was the style of wine made in Alsace from the beginning of the 20th Century and up to WWII?
Inexpensive wines made from the flatter land in the region
What happened to the quality of wine in Alsace following WWII? Why?
Alsace returned to France in 1945 where it adopted the AOC system. Vineyards were planted on hillsides which led to an increase in quality
What has been the recent trend in vineyard plantings in Alsace?
Over the past decade vineyards for the production of Crémant d’Alsace have increased while vineyard area for still wines has decreased
How does the latitude occupied by Alsace affect the length of the growing season?
It is comparatively long as Alsace is so far north
What type of climate does Alsace have?
Continental with cold winters and warm, sunny summers
How do the Vosges Mountains protect Alsace from inclement weather?
They act as a shield against westerly rain storms and wind.
How much rain does Alsace receive each year? How does this compare to the Western side of the Vosges Mountains?
600mm, less than half the other side of the mountains
Is drought an issue in Alsace? Why not why not?
Yes. Alsace receives low rainfall (600mm) and irrigation is not allowed in AOC wines
When is drought most critically an issue in Alsace? When isn’t it?
Most of the rainfall arrives during summer, specifically August. Drought during flowering, fruit set, and (rarely) harvest can be an issue
What factors aid grape ripening in Alsace? Why are these important?
High sunshine hours, important for insulation and heat and high latitude
The Föhn wind that sinks down the leeward side of the Vosges mountains warms the region. It also reduces disease pressure
What is a Föhn wind?
A warming wind that sinks down the leeward side of a mountain.
True or False
Alsace generally experiences a low diurnal swing
False. There is a high diurnal swing across the appellation, especially on higher sites
Where are the better vineyard sites in Alsace generally planted?
Altitudes of 200-250m, with some as high as 450m. They generally face south, southeast, or southwest to improve sunlight interception
Where are the lower quality vineyards in Alsace generally located?
On the plain between the foothills and the Rhine river
What soil type defines Alsace?
None!
Soils are varied and “mosaic of terroir” is a term thrown about frequently.
How does the soil on the Alsatian plains differ from the hillside? What effect does this have on grape growing?
The flatter sites are deeper, more fertile soils. Vines planted there have more vegetative growth and their grapes are suited for high volume, inexpensive wines.
Hillside soils are shallow, and have better drainage. This promotes slower growth and, thus, better quality.
List the varieties planted in Alsace from most to least planted.
Riesling Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois Gewurztraminer Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Sylvaner
What varieties are permitted for use in Alsace Grand Cru AOC?
The SGN varieties
Pinot Gris
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Muscat Blanc
What makes Riesling suitable for viticulture in Alsace?
It is late budding and resistant to cold weather (especially winters)