Alsace

Question 1

In Alsace the latitude is around what *N and what impact does that have on the growing season?

Answer 1

48*
Long growing season
High sunshine hours needed to ripen grapes this far north

Question 2

Alsace climate

Answer 2

Continental- cold winters/warm sunny summers

Question 3

The Vosges have free what protection to Alsace?

Answer 3

Rain shadow effect. Blocks western winds carrying rain clouds

Question 4

What issue does rain present in Alsace?

Answer 4

It falls throughout the year with the wettest months in summer affecting flowering, fruit set, and occasionally harvest

Question 5

What warm wind raises the temperature and reduces disease pressure in Alsace?

Answer 5

Fohn

Question 6

At what altitude are the best vineyards in Alsace?

Answer 6

200-250m

Question 7

At what exposure are the best vineyards in Alsace?

Answer 7

S/SE/SW for max sun exposure

Question 8

Noble varieties in Alsace

Answer 8

Riesling
Gewuztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat

Question 9

What grapes are permitted in Grand Cru and regulated wine styles (VT/SGN)?

Answer 9

Noble Varieties
Riesling
Gewurz
Pinot Gris
Muscat

Question 10

Riesling in Alsace hazards and features

Answer 10

Feature:
Cold hardy
Late budding - frost protection
High yielding w/high quality
Good disease resistance
Hazards:
Needs good site (full exposure and good drainage) and long season to ripen fully

Question 11

Gewurztraminer in Alsace hazards and features

Answer 11

Feature:
Early ripening- avoid fall rain but picked late for full ripeness
Vigorous- canopy mgmt
Hazard:
Early budding- frost
Moderately productive due to coloure
Susceptible to chlorosis and powdery mildew

Question 12

Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois in Alsace hazards and features

Answer 12

Feature:
Early ripening- fall rains and makes room in winery
Hazard:
Early budding- spring frost

Question 13

Pinot Gris in Alsace hazards and features

Answer 13

Feature:
Early ripening- misses fall rain
Accumulates high sugar - hazard too
Hazard:
Early budding - spring frost
Susceptible to botrytis bunch rot and downy mildew

Question 14

Pinot Noir in Alsace hazards and features

Answer 14

Feature:
Ripens early
Hazard:
Buds early - spring frost
Limit yields for quality
Delicate- susceptible to millerandage, downy/powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot

Question 15

Most common training method if Alsace

Answer 15

Single or Double Guyot
AOC regulated

Question 16

Where are the fruit and canopy zones typically at in Alsace relative to other regions and why?

Answer 16

Higher
Fruit zone to protect from frost
Canopy to increase sun exposure

Vine spacing high to avoid shading

Question 17

Why does Alsace have more than double its vineyards certified organic than the rest of France?

Answer 17

Low disease pressure due to sunny, warm climate and low rainfall
Mostly small scale production- aids in attention to detail in vineyards

Question 18

Which noble varieties are most likely cool fermented?

Answer 18

Muscat, Riesling, Sylvaner

Question 19

Why is Gewurztraminer fermented at mid temps?

Answer 19

Pronounced aromas aren’t as affected by warmer temperatures and higher temps mean yeast can vinify all the sugar Gewurz accumulated

Question 20

Max yields in Alsace are

Answer 20

High
80 for PG/ Gewurz
90 for Riesling
100 for PB

Question 21

Commune and lieu- dit wines max yields are

Answer 21

Lower
72 and 68

Question 22

Alsace PN max yield

Answer 22

60

Question 23

Grand cru max yields in Alsace

Answer 23

55 to 50

Question 24

Vendange Tardive can be made with or without ________ affected fruit and also can be vinified _____ or ______

Answer 24

Botrytis
Dry
Sweet

Question 25

Unlike VT, Selection de grains nobles must be both made from ______ affected fruit and vinified ______

Answer 25

Botrytis
Sweet

Question 26

What are the avg vineyard holdings in Alsace and what does that encourage growers to do?

Answer 26

Under 5 ha
Sell to co-op or larger winery

Question 27

What % of Alsace wine is sold in France?

Answer 27

71%

Question 28

Why are wines of Alsace sold based upon a general image of Alsace and the individual producers?

Answer 28

The producers each can make 20-35 different bottlings from sparkling, still, dry, off dry, VT, SGN from 4 varieties plus non noble varieties on 4 quality levels.