Alsace Flashcards
What are the Bas- & Haut-Rhin?
In the Alsace
Bas-Rhin: lower land to the north
Haut-Rhin: higher land to the south, with the great majority of the best vineyards, classified as Grand Crus.
What are the climate influences in the Alsace?
The Vosges Mountains create a rain shadow
Therefore the Alsace is one of the driest and sunniest wine growing areas
When were Grand Cru appellations introduced in Alsace?
1983
How many vineyards qualified as Grand Cru when they were introduced in the Alsace?
25
How many vineyards qualify as Grand Cru in the Alsace now? (2024)
51
What is the general style of Alsace white wine?
Just like German, essentially about fruit rather than oak: if oak is used it is in the form of old oak.
Varying levels of residual sugar.
What used to be the Alsace Pinot Noir style?
Meagre, tart, dark rosé.
What is the more modern Alsace Pinot Noir style?
Deep-crimson, fleshy, able to take barrel age and reminiscent of red burgundy.
Where is the city of Colmar?
In the middle of the Alsace, in the heart of the Haut-Rhin
Where is the city of Mulhouse?
In the south of the Alsace
Where is the city of Strasbourg?
In the northeast of the Alsace
Where is the city of Sélestat?
Between Colmar and Strasbourg in the Alsace
What do the Vosges Mountains turn into over the German border?
The Haardt mountains: protecting the Pfalz
How much can a nearby dense pine forest lower the average temperature of a vineyard compared to a young oak wood?
A full degree Celsius!
What is Muschelkalk?
Fossil limestone
What soil are the Vosges Mountains famous for?
The famous Vosges Mountains pink sandstone used for many local churches: Grés de Vosges
Name three highly regarded producers form the Alsace
Trimbach
Zind-Humbrecht
Domaine Weinbach
What are the noble grapes used for Grand Cru in the Alsace?
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
When did the Alsace achieve AOC status?
1962: the last major wine region to do so
Which grapes are allowed to be bottled varietally in Alsace AOP?
The noble grapes
Pinot Blanc
Chasselas
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
How much of a grape does a wine need to contain in the Alsace AOP when it is mentioned on the label?
100%
Except for Pinot Blanc, which may be blended with Auxerrois
What may Auxerrois be labeled as in the Alsace AOP?
Auxerrois
But also Pinot Blanc, even if 100% Auxerrois