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Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

Where is Alsace located?

A

north eastern France

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2
Q

What is the climate in Alsace?

A

warm sunny and unusually dry climate due to the protection of the Vosges mountains to the west.

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3
Q

How much of wine production is white wine in Alsace?

A

90% overwhelmingly from single grape varieties and unoaked

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4
Q

Which single variety wines (aromatic) are Alsace known for?

A

Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Muscat
Pinot gris (less aromatic varietal)

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5
Q

At what point did Alsace return to France and become an AOC?

A

1945

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6
Q

At what point did Alsace return to France and become an AOC?

A

1945

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7
Q

Describe the plantings for still vs Cremant d’Alsace wines?

A

still wines plantings have decreased while Cremant d’Alsace has increased slightly

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8
Q

What is the climate in Alsace?

A

the northerly latitude gives a long growing season and the placement inland gives a continental climate

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9
Q

What is the climate in Alsace?

A

the northerly latitude gives a long growing season and the placement inland gives a continental climate with cold winters and warm sunny summers

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10
Q

How do the Vosges Mountains protect Alsace?

A

there are a lot of rain clouds, but most of the rain falls on the western side of the vosges Mountains

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11
Q

How do the Vosges Mountains protect Alsace?

A

there are a lot of rain clouds, but most of the rain falls on the western side of the vosges Mountains - Alsace which is on the eastern side only gets 600m of rain per year

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12
Q

How do the Vosges Mountains protect Alsace?

A

there are a lot of rain clouds, but most of the rain falls on the western side of the vosges Mountains - Alsace which is on the eastern side only gets 600m of rain per year half of what the other side typically gets

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13
Q

What does moderate rainfall mean in ALsace?

A

drought can be a problem in the summer and irrigation is not permitted in AOCs

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14
Q

How is rain spread throughout the year

A

it is spread throughout the year with the wettest months being in the summer (August) and the driest months normally during the harvest (Sept and October)

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15
Q

How does the rain at certain times of year impact grapes in ALsace

A

impacts flowering and fruit set and more rarely harvest

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16
Q

What does Alsace have at this northerly latitude that helps to ripen grapes?

A

high sunshine hours

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17
Q

Explain the Fohn wind

A

another drying influence in Alsace that both raises temps and reduces incidences of fungal diseases. there is a marked diurnal temperature difference esp on higher sites which help to retain acidity in grapes

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18
Q

What do the foothills of the Vosges mountains provide?

A

many diverse vineyard sites at a range of altitude suited for growing different grape varieties

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19
Q

Where are the best vineyards located in Alsace?

A

at 200-250 m and some as high as 450 m. They tend to face south, south-east or south-west for max sunlight interception

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20
Q

Where are lesser quality vineyards located in Alsace?

A

on the plain between the foothills and the Rhine River

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21
Q

What is the “mosaic of terroirs”

A

the fact the soils are very varied and can range from being deeper and more fertile at the plains to the vineyards on the hillsides being lower in fertility and better draining

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22
Q

What do lower fertile soils with better draining help to promote?

A

slower growth and better fruit quality

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23
Q

What do deeper and more fertility soils promote in ALsace?

A

more vegetation (suited for higher yields and higher vol wine)

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24
Q

What are the main varieties grown in Alsace?

A

Riesling, Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris

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25
What varietals are considered Noble varietals in Alsace and can be grown in grand crus and regulated wines such as VT and Selection de grains nobles
Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat
26
What kind of variety is Riesling?
cold hardy variety which makes it sustainable to grow in regions with cold winters. it buds late providing some protection from spring frosts
27
What does Riesling need to ripen fully?
a good site with full exposure to the sun and good drainage and a long growing season
28
What kind of quality can Riesling produce?
very good quality and at relatively high yields
29
What is Riesling resistant to?
good resistance to downy mildew, and fairly resistant to powdery mildew and botrytis bunch rot
30
General SAT for Riesling in Alsace
med - pronounced in aroma and flavor intensity, unoaked high acidity good to outstanding mid priced to premium with a few super premium examples dry, med to full body med alcohol citrus (lemon grapefruit) and stonefruit (peach) with a pronounced steely/stony character
31
Describe Gewurztraminer
early budding, and early ripening - making it prone to spring frosts but avoiding autumn rains rapidly accumulates sugar, but is picked late to achieve fully ripened skins in order to avoid underripe tannins and maximize aromas
32
Why does Gewurztraminer need careful pruning and canopy management
it is a vigorous varietal but only moderately productive due to coulure
33
What can Gewurztraminer suffer from?
coulure, Chlorosis and from desiccation if the stems
34
In Alsace particularly, what is Gewurztraminer vulnerable to?
powdery mildew, grape vine moths, and grey rot
35
General SAT for Gewurztraminer
med lemon pronounced aromas of lychee, peach/apricot, rose, spice, med to high alcohol med to full body low acidity dry through to sweet good to outstanding mid priced to premium
36
General SAT for Alsace Pinot Blanc
low intensity aromas of apple, peach, med acidity med alcohol acceptable to good with a few very good inexpensive to mid priced
37
General SAT for Auxerrois in Alsace
can also be labelled as PInot Blanc early ripening low aromatic low acidity mostly used to blend or in Cremant d'Alsace
38
What kind of grape is Pinot Gris
early budding (prone to spring frosts) early ripening (avoids autumn rains)
39
what kind of yields does PInot Gris produce
moderate
40
what is PInot Gris susceptible to?
botrytis bunch rot, downy mildew
41
General SAT for Pinot Gris in Alsace
full range of styles dry to sweet med to high alcohol due to accumulation of high sugar levels med intensity flavors of peach and apple med acidity fully body best examples have a rich oily texture and have capacity to age to develop honey and smokey notes good to outstanding med priced to premium
42
Why have picking dates become a very important topic for Pinot Gris recently
it can see a rapid increase in sugar and drop in acidity
43
How has the style shifted recently for Pinot Gris?
it has shifted to a drier style resulting in more styles that are dry (12.5-13.5% abv) rather than off dry (13.5%)
44
What is the only black grape allowed in Alsace AOC?
Pinot Noir
45
What has resulted in rising quality with both oaked and unoaked Pinot Noir wines in Alsace?
warming climate, learning from other regions (Burgundy, Germany) as well as local demand
46
What varietal is in decline in Alsace?
Sylvaner - due to Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are easier to grow
47
What is the consequence of Sylvaner's decline in Alsace?
majority of it comes from old vines (40 years or more) and very little of it is located at the valley floor. this makes it a grape variety that is gaining reputation for being a good value wine of very good quality
48
What two Muscats are grown in very small amounts in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains and Muscat Ottonel (ripens early which makes it attractive to avoid autumn rains)
49
What form of training is required by AOC in Alsace?
Single or Double Guyot
50
How is training different in Alsace than other regions?
the fruit zone is trained slightly high than in other regions. (1-1.2m above the ground) this allows for more protection from frost
51
How is training different in Alsace than other regions?
the fruit zone is trained slightly high than in other regions. (1-1.2m above the ground) this allows for more protection from frost especially on the valley plain and humidity Canopies are also higher up to 1.9m above the ground
52
How is training different in Alsace than other regions?
the fruit zone is trained slightly high than in other regions. (1-1.2m above the ground) this allows for more protection from frost especially on the valley plain and humidity Canopies are also higher up to 1.9m above the ground to maximize exposure to the sun.
53
Due to the difference in canopy management in Alsace, how does this impact vine density
vine density is typically 4400-4800 vines per ha with less dense planting on the valley floor and more dense on the slopes. The spacing between rows has to be wider to avoid shading
54
Where is terracing necessary in Alsace?
on the steepest slopes and grand cru sites
55
What are the main pests and diseases found in Alsace?
powdery and downy mildew, grape vine moth, esca
56
What does the warm sunny climate with low rainfall help to reduce in Alsace?
fungal disease
57
How much of Alsace vineyards are certified organic?
nearly 15% (national average is 10%)
58
What is the harvest period in Alsace?
it is long from early Sept to late Oct due to ranges of styles and diversity of sites
59
What are the range of styles found in Alsace?
sparkling through late picked and botrytis affected wines
60
Which vineyards in Alsace need to be picked by hand?
grand cru and vineyards on steep slopes
61
Which vineyards in Alsace can be picked by machine?
on valley plain or gentle slopes
62
What are most wines made from in Alsace?
single varietals
63
What is the aim of most winemakers in Alsace?
to preserve primary fruit characteristics
64
What is done in Alsace by some winemakers to extract flavor molecules and add texture to the wine?
pre-fermentation skin contact, or keeping the pressed grapes for longer in the press
65
What temps are used for fermentation with Muscat, Reisling, and Sylvaner
cool temperatures
66
What temp is used for Gewurztraminer fermentation in Alsace?
mid range temps due to its high sugar levels and pronounced flavors that are not affected by these temps; in fact low temps are avoided as Banana flavors are not wanted in this type of wine
67
How do winemakers keep temps cool during fermentation in Alsace?
most cellars are cool enough, however temp control is now installed typically
68
What vessals are used for fermentation and why?
inert fermentation vessels are used as no additional flavors are desired (traditional large old oak vessels or stainless steel tanks)
69
What kind of yeasts are used by high quality producers? WHy?
ambient yeasts believing they contribute to terroir expressive wines
70
Is malolactic conversion typically used in Alsace?
it is typically avoided with white wines as the aim is to retain primary fruit flavors
71
How much new oak is used in Alsace?
very little new oak - aim is to retain primary flavors
72
What type of vessels are used for aging in Alsace?
the same large neutral containers on fine lees (for freshness) but without lees stirring to retain primary flavors
73
how do consumers know the level of sweetness of Alsace wines?
it used to be that they just knew what certain producers did, more recently producers are putting the sweetness level of the wine on the back label
74
When did Alsace begin using the EU categories of sweetness?
2021 vintage
75
Is Chaptalisation allowed in Alsace?
yes within EU rules- and is used especially in cooler years
76
what is max yield in Alsace
ranges from 80hl/ha for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer to 90 hl/ha for Reisling and 100 hl/ha for Pinot Blanc which can lead to some wines with low flavor concentration
77
Within the ALsace AOC what else can be added to the label and what does this do?
lieu dit or one of the 13 communes - it reduces the max yields whites = 72 hl/ha (communes) and 68 hl/ha (lieu dits)
78
What is the max yield for Pinot Noir in Alsace
60 hl/ha
79
what are the max yields for grand cru wines in Alsace?
55 hl/ha and in some cases 50 hl/ha
80
when was the category of grand cru introduced?
1975
81
what is grand cru normally restricted to?
single variety wines from one of the so called noble varieties- Reisling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer
82
what are three vineyards also allowed to produce grand cru wines as?
Sylvaner or blends
83
When did 51 grand cru vineyards become an individual grand cru vineyard
2011 - allowing each grand cru to have its own rules
84
What varietal has applied but not yet been given a grand cru status in Alsace yet?
Pinot Noir
85
What is Alsace discussing introducing for single vineyards?
premier cru classification
86
What can both Alsace AOC and grand cru append on their label?
Vendange Tardive or Selection de grains nobles
87
Wines with VT or Selection de Grains nobles on the label have to be made from what varieties in Alsace?
solely one of the 4 noble varieties
88
Does VT need to have botrytis affected fruit or be sweet in Alsace?
no, but there are min sugar levels required - about 14-15% abv if fermented dry
89
Does Selection de Grains Nobles need to have botrytis-affected fruit or be sweet in Alsace?
yes they must be both
90
What is min sugar level for VT for Muscat or Riesling in Alsace
235 g/l
91
What is min sugar level for VT for Pinot gris or Gewurztraminer in Alsace
257 g/l
92
What is min sugar level for Selection de grains Nobles for Muscat or Riesling in Alsace
276 g/l
93
What is min sugar level for Selection de grains Nobles for Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer in Alsace
306 g/l
94
What is the average vineyard holding in Alsace?
low at under 3.5 ha - which results in many growers selling to co-operatives or larger wineries
95
How much % of sales is by co-operatives in Alsace that have a high reputation for high quality wines?
40%
96
How much wine from Alsace is sold in France?
75%
97
What are the top export markets for Alsace?
rest of EU esp Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, followed by North America
98
What do all Alsace wines need to be sold in?
tall thin "flute" bottle and no bag in box is allowed

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