Alsace Flashcards
Noble Varieties of Alsace (4)
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
Other varieties in Alsace (4)
Pinot Blanc
Auxerrois
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
What grape is used for red and rose in Alsace
Pinot Noir
What are the 2 departments of Alsace
Bas-Rhin (north)
Haut-Rhin (south)
Where is Alsace located
On the border of Germany
305 miles east of Paris
Major body of water in Alsace
The Rhine River
Climatic feature of Alsace
Vosges Mountains
Rainshadow - creating sunniest and driest region in France
Climate of Alsace
Continental
What is the soil in Alsace (8)
Mosaic soil structure (granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, loess, and pink sandstone
When did Alsace receive AOC
1962
When was Alsace Grand Cru established
1975 (Schlossberg)
What years were additional Grand Cru established in Alsace
1983 (24 new Grand Cru)
1992 (25 new Grand Cru)
2007 (most recent Kaefferkopf)
What happened to Alsace Grand Cru in 2011
They each got their own AOC, changing from 1 Grand Cru to 51
Winemaking techniques in Alsace
Neutral, large barrels
Focus on varietal purity
Edelzwicker
(“noble mixture”): inexpensive blended wine, does not need to carry a vintage.
Gentil
Unofficial term, indicates a wine with a minimum of 50% noble grapes in the blend
Is hand harvesting required for Alsace Grand Cru
YES
How many Premier Cru in Alsace
ZERO
Venganges Tardives:
Late Harvest
These are single varietal wines left to hang on the vine. Will raisinate and show more intensity, but usually no signs of botrytis. These wines can be fermented dry or left sweet
Sélection de Grains Nobles
picked in tries (numerous passed through the vineyard) and have been affected by botrytis. Can be semi-dry or sweet, but dessert-like in all levels
Major villages of Alsace (3)
Colmar, Strasbourg (center of the wine trade), Ribeauville
Notable Grand Cru vineyards in Alsace (3)
Schlossberg, Schoelhammer, Schoenenberg
Soils of Alsace
Plain, Lower & Upper Slopes
Several soil types can be found in the region;
Alsace plain consists of alluvial soils.
Lower slopes - chalk.
Upper slopes - Granite, Volcanic deposits, Schist
Classic Blends
A small amount of blended wines are
produced made from noble varietals
(not to be confused with Edelzwicker
- various wines blended together)
These wines are sourced from the same vineyard and vinified together.
Grand vin de Schonenberg,
Clos du Zahnacker,
Clos du Schlossberg,
Côtes du Ribeauville
2 Grand crus permitted to blend from 2001
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf
Altenberg de Bergheim
50-70% Riesling
10-25% Pinot Gris
10-25% Gewürztraminer
up to 10% Muscat
Kaefferkopf
60-80% Gewürztraminer
10-40% Riesling
0-30% Pinot Gris
up to 10% Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Muscat & Chasselas
Which Grand cru historically planted with Sylvaner is now permitted in Grand Cru blending?
Zotzenberg
Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris & Sylvaner (varietal wines)
From 2022 which Grand Cru’s are permitted to produce red Grand Cru wines from Pinot Noir?
Hengst
Kirchberg de Barr
The production must adhere to strict yield levels and the wine must age for a minimum of 10 months prior to release
Alsace Grand Cru must be…..
Must be Hand harvested
Minimum sugar levels higher than AOP Alsace
Minimum Alcohol levels:
Riesling & Muscat =11%
Gewürztraminer & Pinot Gris = 12.5%(Certain sites require higher minimum levels)
Alsace Grand Crus
Alsace Structure (4)
Alsace AOP/Vin d’ Alsace
Alsace Communale
Alsace Liu-Dit
Alsace Grand Cru
