Alsace

Question 1

Where is Alsace?

Answer 1

Northeastern France, on the border with Germany.

Divided into two departments:

Bas-Rhin: Lies to the north, has a lower in average elevation and is less protected from the Vosges Mountains.

Haut-Rhin: Lies to the south, has a higher average elevation, and is more protected from the Vosges Mountains. Many of the best regarded vineyard sites are located in the Haut-Rhin.

Question 2

What catergory of climate does Alsace have?

Answer 2

Cool, continental climate with a dry, sunny growing season.

Question 3

Unique physical features of Alsace?

Answer 3

Vosges Mountains
Rhine River

Question 3

What type of soil does Alsace have?

Answer 3

Soils vary widely in their type and origin as a result of a long history of geological activity.

Very diverse and includes: Marl, limestone, gneiss, schist, sandstone, granite, clay, and volcanic soils. Grape varieties are matched with the soil types they do best in.

Question 4

Why are the Vosges Mountains important?

Answer 4

The importance of the Vosges mountains in creating a rain shadow that affects vineyards. One of France’s driest and sunniest climates. Long, cool, and dry growing season. Better vineyards planted on slopes facing east/southeast. Over 90% of Alsace wines are made from white grape varieties.

Question 5

What are the red grape variety names?

Answer 5

Pinot Noir

Question 6

For Alsatian wines, if the grape variety is mentioned on the label, then the wine must be…

Answer 6

100% of that variety.

Question 6

What’s the winemaking like in Alsace?

Answer 6

Large neutral casks, little to no use of new oak. Sparkling, dry, off-dry, and sweet wines are made.

Foudre: name for the large neutral casks used.

Question 7

What are the white grape variety names?

Answer 7

Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat

Pinot Blanc, Silvaner, Chardonnay, Auxerrois

Question 8

What are some examples of important Alsace Grands Crus Vineyards?

Answer 8

Schlossberg, Brand, Goldert, Hengst

Question 8

Alsace AOP wines must be bottled in the…

Answer 8

traditional “Vin du Rhin” / “Flûte d’Alsace” bottle.

Question 9

What are the AOPs of Alsace?

Answer 9

Alsace/Vin d’Alsace AOP: Main appellation of Alsace

Alsace Grand Cru AOP: 51 Grands Crus vineyards
Traditionally, only four grape varieties are allowed for Alsace Grand Cru AOP. Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat.

*The fifth is now Pinot Noir as of the 2022 vintage.

Crémant d’Alsace AOP: Traditional method sparkling wine

Question 10

What are some label terms in Alsace?

Answer 10

Crémant, Edelzwicker, Gentil

Question 10

What are exceptions to the Alsace Grand Cru AOP grape variety rule?

Answer 10

One of the Grand Crus uses Sylvaner, two of them allow blending, two allow red wine.

Question 11

What are the styles of Alsatian wines?

Answer 11

Vendange Tardive (VT): Late-harvest, rich, full-bodied, not always sweet.

Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN): Botrytis-affected grapes, made in small quantities, only in top vintages.

Question 12

What are some producers/proprietary brands?

Answer 12

Trimbach, Domaine Weinbach, Marcel Deiss, Hugel et Fils, Pierre Sparr, Zind-Humbrecht

Question 13

Recount the history of Alsace

Answer 13

This region has a history of French and German political rule because it was a strategic area that the two countries fought over for many years. Alsace has a distinctive culture, evident in its architecture, language, and food.

Question 14

What should I pair with Alsace wines?

Answer 14

Wide range of pairings with diversity of wine styles. Choucroute, Flammkuchen (tarte flambée), Baeckeoffe, and many rich, smoky cured meats such as bacon and sausages.

Question 15

What’s Crémant d’Alsace?

Answer 15

Crémant d’ Alsace is an alternative, cost-effective source for traditional method sparkling wine.