Alsace Flashcards
What is the climate of Alsace?
Cool to moderate continental
The driest and sunniest climate in France’s wine region
What is the name of the mountain range on Alsace’s western boundary that creates a rainshadow effect?
Vosges Mountains
Northerly part of the vineyards has the coolest climate and the least protection from the Vosges.
Climate issue in Alsance
Drought
The top vineyards and lesser vineyards of Alsace
Location
Top quality vineyards
・Steepest slopes with east and south-east aspects.
Lesser vineyards
・Lie on the plains between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine.
The grapes from the lesser vineyards are used for the production of ___.
Crémant d’Alsace
The local AC sparkling wine.
Vines planted on the slopes:
Machine or hand harvested?
Trained high or low to the ground?
・Hand harvested
・Trained low to the ground to take advantage of heat radiating off the ground and rows are oriented to maximize the vine’s exposure.
Vines planted on the alluvial plains:
Trained high above or low to the ground?
・Trained high above the ground to mitigate sprint frost.
Vine disease pressure in Alsace
What viticultural practices are widely used?
Dry and Sunny
= Vine disease pressure is low
= Organic and biodynamic farming/viticulture.
Harvest in Alsace usually starts when and ends when?
The end of August (for sparkling wine) and run through November, or even beginning of December for VT and SGN wines.
What are the noble grapes of Alsace?
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
These 4 grape varietals are the only ones allowed to go into Grand Cru, VT and SGN wines.
Most wines in Alsace are bottled as:
single varietals
blends
Single varietals
What are the two terms used in Alsace on bottles of inexpensive white blends?
Edelzwicker
Gentil
What is the fermentation vessel used by traditional wine producers in Alsace?
Large, old oak barrels
These old barrels have a thick layer of tartrate crystal deposits inside of them, preventing the wood from imparting any influence on the wine.
In Alsace, modern producers won’t use the traditional, large, old oak barrels. They’ll use this type of fermentation vessel.
Stainless steel tanks, making it easier to control fermentation temperatures.
Malolactic fermentation (MLF) in Alsace
In Alsace, malolactic fermentation (MLF) usually blocked for most aromatic white grapes.
Because the softening effects of MLF and buttery aromas would stunt and mask the purity of fruit flavors in these aromatic varietals.
When does the bottling usually take place?
Aging potential
In the spring following the vintage, while the wine is young and fresh.
Most wines are then ready to drink, but many are capable of of further evolution in the bottle.
Generally speaking, what are the most common styles of wine made in Alsace?
Predominantly white wines made from aromatic or semi-aromatic grapes in dry, off-dry, and sweet styles.
What are the 2 principal appellations for still wines in Alsace?
Alsace AOP
・Vast majority of all wine produced in Alsace falls under this AOP
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
・There are over 50 Grand Cru vineyards in Alsace that each have theor own grand cru appellation.
・An Alsace Grand Cru label must has the name of the vineyard, the vintage and the grape variety.
・To be Alsace Grand Cru the grape must be one of the 4 noble grape varietals.
What are 2 classifications that can be used by Alsace AOP and Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines?
Vendanges Tardives
Sélection de Grains Nobles
Define and Explain:
Vendange Tardive (VT)
Vendange Tardive (VT): “Late Harvest”
・Made only from the four noble varieties.
・May be dry to medium-sweet, and producer not required to indicate sweetness level on label
・Must have specific minimum sugar ripeness depending on grape variety.
・Grapes for the best wines will have undergone passerillage;
・May or may not show Botrytis;
VT may be printed on either Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Cru AOP labels.
Define and Explain:
Sélection de Grains Nobles
Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN): “Selection of Nobly Rotten Grapes”
・Made only from one of the four noble varieties
・Made only in excellent vintages and only in small quantities
・Always sweet
・Must meet minimum sugar ripeness depending on grape varietal (Higher than those for VT)
・Usually achieved with noble rot
Alsatian Riesling
2,3,4,6,7
2 Dry (Many are now being made with some residual sugar)
3 Medium to full bodied
4 High acidity
6 Medium alcohol
7 Citrus, stone fruit with stony, often with stony/steely character.
Generally speaking, are Alsatian Rieslings drier or sweeter than their German counterparts?
Generally, Alsatian Rieslings are:
・drier
・less floral
・richer & fuller in body
than German Rieslings.
Alsatian Gewurztraminer
1,3,4,6,7
1 Rich oily texture. Some have golden colour
3 Full bodied
4 Low to medium acidity
6 High alcohol (Wines of14% abv are not uncommon)
7 Aromatic spicy nose, reminiscent of lychees, roses and sweet baking spices
Gewurztraminer colour of skin
Light pink skins
Alsatian Pinot Gris
1,3,4,6,7
1 Richly textured
3 Full bodied
4 More acidity than Gewurztraminer
6 High in alcohol
7 Pronounced flavour intensity with fresh and dried fruits and honeyed character.
However, less aromatic than Gewurztraminer
What are the two Muscat varieties grown in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Ottonel
Alsatian Muscat
3,4,7
3 Light-Medium body
4 Low to medium acidity
7 Orange bloom, rose and grape
Difference between Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat Ottonel
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
・More aromatic but prone to poor fruit set and rot
Muscat Ottonel
・Less aromatic but more reliable
Name white grapes planted in Alsace other than the noble grape varieties.
Pinot Blanc (Often used for sparkling)
Auxerrois
Sylvaner
Pinot blanc tend to be grown in __.
More fertile soils of the plain
In Alsace, if a grape name is on the label, what percentage of that grape must be in the bottle?
If the name of a grape is on the label in Alsace, 100% of that grape must be in the bottle.
There is one exception: Pinot Blanc. It is often blended with Auxerrois even though they are different grapes. Additionally, Auxerrois may carry the title of Pinot Blanc on a label even if it is bottled as 100% Auxerrois.
