Alsace Flashcards
study
Alsace is a continuation of which region in Germany?
Pfalz
Alsace Wine Styles
90% of grapes planted are white
Noble Grapes
Muscat, Pinot Gris, Riesling,
Gewürztraminer (These with only one
exception are the allowed varieties in Grand
Cru vineyards).
Other grape varieties found in Alsace
Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois (can be
confused with Pinot Blanc), Chasselas,
Sylvaner, Pinot Noir
Savagnin Rose
(a sibling of Gewürztraminer,
also called Klevener de Heiligenstein) is a rare
varietal, but can be found in five communes).
Red and Rose wines
Made from Pinot Noir
Two Departments of Alsace
Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin
Location of Alsace
Located on the border with Germany, 305
miles due east of Paris.
Vosges Mountains
Run north to south, they
create a rainshadow effect that makes Alsace
the driest wine region in France.
Major Bodies of Water
The Rhine River
Vineyard location
Vineyards run north to south to the east of the Vosges mountains on the lower slopes.
Climate of Alsace
Semi-continental, this region receives plenty of sunshine but still has cold,
annual average temperatures and can suffer from early or late frosts and deep freezes
Vineyard Exposure
Vineyards have southern, or southeastern exposure to help mitigate the cold.
Soils
mosaiced soil structure (do not try and memorize where all the soil types are)
including granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, loess, and pink sandstone (grís
de Vosges).
When did Alsace receive AOC status
1962
