ALSACE Flashcards
Most wines are varietally labelled here?
Yes
Climate?
Cool to moderate continental climate
What mountains shelter vineyards from Westerly rain?
Vosges
Where are the best vineyards?
On steepest slopes with East and South East facing aspects
Lesser vineyards lie on plain between Vosges foothills and the Rhine. Grapes grown here are used for what?
Cremant d’Alsace and local AC sparkling
How are vines trained on slopes?
Trained low to benefit from radiated heat, harvesting done by hand
How are vines trained on the plain?
Trained high to minimize risk of spring frosts
4 most important grapes? Noble varieties
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gew
Muscat
*Typically only grapes that can be used for VT SGN GRAND CRU
Traditional producers ferment their wines in what?
Large old oak barrels, 100+ years old
As of 2021harvest, producers must indicate what on bottle?
Level of sweetness on back wine label
4 levels of sweetness
Sec
Demi Sec
Moelleux
Deux
What are blended wines labelled as?
Edelzwicker
Gentil
Most widely planted noble variety?
Riesling
Characteristics of Riesling?
Med-full body
Dry, med alcohol
High acid
Citrus/Stone fruit aromas
Stony, steely
Some being made with RS
Not as floral as Riesling from Germany
Gew characteristics?
Aromas of lychees, roses, sweet baking spice
Light pink tinge on skin of grapes giving golden color to wine
Full body, rich/oily texture
Low-med acid
High alcohol
Pinot Gris characteristics?
Full body
High alcohol
More acid then GEW
Less aromatic than GEW
Rich texture
Pronounced flavor fresh/dry fruits, honey character
Muscat characteristics
Best is Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains
Very aromatic with flavors of orange blossom, rose, grape
Light-med body
Low-med acid
Prone to poor fruit set and rot so Muscat Ottonel is more planted as it is more reliable
What is Pinot Blanc used for?
Sparkling wines
As a still wine it is light, simple, refreshing, non aromatic
Grown on more fertile soils of the plain
Auxerrois characteristics?
Similar to PB, but slightly spicier and more full bodied, sometimes blended with Pinot Blanc
Sylvaner?
Used to be planted more
Delicate perfume, some richness, but way less than GEW, best drunk young
Only black grape permitted?
Pinot Noir
