ALSACE Flashcards
How is the climate in Alsace?
cool to moderate continental climate
what does the Vosges Mountains do to the climate?
It sheltering the vineyards, which results in sunny summers and dry winters.
where can you find the grapes that are mostly used for cremant d álsace?
on the plain between vosges mountains and the Rhine.
How are the vines trained to benefit on the slopes?
They are trained low to benefit from the heat from the soil and placed in a way they are maximised their exposure to the sun.
How is the vine trained on the plain?
On the plain the wines are trained to minimise the risk of spring frosts.
what kind of viticulture are most likely in Alsace? and why?
organic and biodynamic.
Due to low disease pressure and the sunny, dry conditions.
Why do growers harvest at different times?
Bc they grow different varieties at small plots and they will be ripen at different times between august and beginning of December.
what are the two principal appellations för Alsace?
1) alsace
2) alsace grand cru
What does Alsace stand for on the bottle?
1) vast majority of the regions production
2) single grape varieties
What does Alsace Grand cru stand for on the bottle?
1) must be produced from a single noble grape variety
2) the label must state the name of the vineyard, the vintage and the grape variety.
What does Vendanges Tardives (VT) stand for on the bottle?
1) Late harvest
2) Can only be made from one of the noble grape varieties
3) passerillage
what is passerillage?
When the grapes are air-dried and shriveled after harvest to increase the sugar levels of the grape
What does selection de grains nobles (SGN) stand for on the bottle?
1) can only be made from one of the four noble varieties
2) must have a certain minimum of sugar levels higher than those for VT
3) usually achieved with noble rot
4) small quantities
What is the for noble grape varieties?
1) Riesling
2) Pinot Gris
3) Muscat
4) Gewurztraminer
What does edelzwicker or gentil stand for on the bottle?
Blended wines made from juice that was not selected for varietal vines.
What kind of grapes are grown in Alsace?
Aromatic grapes with no malolactic fermentation
How do the producers ferment their wines?
1) Large old oak barrels that do not influence the vine at all
2) stainless steel where you can control the temperature, this is the most common way
How do the producers indicate the level of sweetness on the bottle?
sec, demi-sec, moelleux, doux
What is the character of a good riesling?
1) medium - full bodied
2) dry with medium alcohol
3) high acidity
4) citrus and stone fruit aromas with pronounced stony/steely character
what is the character of gewuztraminer?
1) Aromatic, lychees, roses and sweet baking spaices
2) full-bodied with a rich oily texture
3) low to medium acidity and high alcohol
4) pink in colour
What is the character of a good Pinot Gris?
1) Full bodied - high alcohol
2) pink in colour
3) higher acidity than gewürztraminer but less aromatic
4) rich texture and pronounced flavours of fresh and dried fruit and honey
what are other varieties you can find in Alsace?
1) Pinot blanc (cremant)
2) Auxerrois
3) sylvaner
4) pinot noir (only black variety)
