Alsace Flashcards
What are the latitude and climate of Alsace?
48°N - 48.3° N
Cool to Moderate
Continental
What is a key factor influencing the climate of Alsace?
Les Vosges mountains
How do the Vosges mountains affect the climate of Alsace?
-They provide shelter from the westerly rain-bearing winds, which results in sunny summer and dry autumns
=> this enables late harvest (sugar accumulation)
-Drought can be an issue
-The Vosges provide southeast facing slopes
-This is more true in the south than the north
The best vineyards of Alsace are located on the steepest slopes facing south and east, but what is produced on the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine?
The vineyards in the plain are often used for the production of Crémant d’Alsace (Sparkling)
What key element contributes to the diversity of wine styles produced in Alsace?
The dramatic geological history and the complexity of SOILS is more clear in Alsace than in any other regions.
Why do Alsatian growers train vines lower to the ground on slopes than in plains?
Training low is to benefit from soil heat radiation.
Frost hazards are common in cool climates.
Since cold air drains downhill and settles in low spots during cooling periods, vineyards in plains are trained higher than on slopes.
Why are organic and biodynamic viticulture practices common in Alsace?
Because of the low disease pressure,
partly provided by dry, sunny conditions.
Explain why harvest is a logistical challenge for growers in Alsace?
-Because growers hand-harvest a number of small plots of vines planted with different varieties ripening at different times.
-This can span from mid-September to the beginning of December for late-harvest & noble-rotted grapes.
What are 2 Main Appellations for still wines in Alsace?
-Alsace AOC
-Alsace Grand Cru AOC
What are the meaning of VT and SGN?
VT: Vendanges Tardives (Late Harvest)
SGN: Sélection de Grains Nobles (Noble rotted grapes)
How many Grand Cru sites exist in Alsace and what are the major 4 varieties allowed there?
-There are 51 Grand Cru sites in Alsace since 2018.
-Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris & Muscat (known as the noble varieties)
What are the varieties allowed for VT and SGN?
The “noble varieties”: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat
Most Alsatian still wines are made from a single varieties.
Give 2 exceptions.
Wines labeled Edelzwicker and Gentil are blends.
(Some rare Grand Crus are allowed to blend)
Most Alsatian grape varieties are aromatic. What options might be used by Alsatian winemakers to retain the fresh aromas and flavors in the finished wine?
-Use of large used oak barrels (inert) or steel tanks.
-Temperature control and blocked MLF
-Bottling and market release in the spring following harvest
What is a trend in the “dryness” of Alsatian Grand Cru?
How is it an issue for consumers?
Traditionally dry; recently, more of these wines have noticeable levels of sweetness.
Except for VT & SGN, there are no official labelling term to indicate if a wine is dry, off-dry, medium or sweet.
Knowing the producer’s style is key.
