Alsace Flashcards
What are the two departments of Alsace?
Bas-Rhin
Haut-Rhin
Alsace map
Bas-Rhine
Lies to the north, has a lower in average elevation and is less protected from Vosges mountains
Haut Rhin
Lies to the south, has a higher average elevation and is more protected from Vosges mountains. Many of the best regarded vineyard site are located in the Haut Rhin.
Types of soils in Alsace
Soils are very diverse and includes Marl, limestone, gneiss, schist, granite, clay, and volcanic soils.
What is the geography/climate of Alsace?
Cool continental climate with a long dry growing season.
Vosges Mountains create a rain shadow
Better vineyards planted on slopes facing east and south east.
What are Foudres?
Large neutral casks with little or no use of new oak. Used for sparkling, still, dry, and off dry wines.
Alsace white grapes
Riesling
Gewurtztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Pinot Blanc*
Silvaner*
Chardonnay*
Auxerrois*
Alsace red grapes
Pinot Noir
Alsace varietal labelling & bottling law
Must be 100% of then grape variety if the name is on the label
Must be bottled in a Vin de Rhin or Flute d’Alsace bottle
Alsace AOPs
Alsace /Vin d’Alsace AOP - Main AOP in Alsace
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
Creamnt d’Alsace AOP
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
- 51 grand crus vineyards
- 5 varietals allowed: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Noir
- Examples of grand crus: Schlossberg, Brand, Goldert, Hengst.
Exceptions to the Alsace Grand Crus AOP grape variety rule
One of the grand crus uses Sylvaner (Zotzenberg)
Two of them allow blending (Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf)
Two allow red wine (Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr)
Cremant d’Alsace
Traditional method sparkling wine made with Pinot blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris)
Examples of producers: Edelzwicker, Gentil
Vendang Tardive (VT)
Late harvest, rich, full bodied wines
Not always sweet!
