Alsace Flashcards
In regards to labeling, what makes Alsace unique from other major French wine regions?
Most of the wines are labeled by varietal.
Generally speaking, what are the most common styles of wine made in Alsace?
Predominantly white wines made from aromatic or semi-aromatic grapes in dry, off-dry, and sweet styles.
Besides still white table wines, what other still styles of table wine are made in Alsace?
Still red + rosé wines made from Pinot Noir.
The reds are light + fruity in style – nothing like Burgundy.
What is the sole black grape allowed to be planted in Alsace?
Pinot Noir
What is the climate of Alsace?
Cool to moderate continental
What is the name of the mountain range on Alsace’s western boundary that creates a rainshadow effect?
Vosges Mountains
What is the eastern boundary for Alsace?
The Rhine River, which is the natural boundary with Germany.
In which direction do the top vineyards of Alsace face?
The top vineyards of Alsace are on steep slopes facing east and southeast.
Gentler morning sun (vineyards facing east) is better for the grapes than hot afternoon sun (vineyards facing full south which would get sun all day).
The majority of grapes that go into Crémant d’Alsace come from where: top of the slopes, mid-slopes, or plains?
The majority of grapes that go into Crémant d’Alsace come from the alluvial plains, located between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine, rather than the prized hillsides or slopes.
What factor contributes to the broad range of wine styles in Alsace?
The geological complexity of the soils is the main contributor to the broad range of styles in Alsace.
Soils found in Alsace include:
Hillsides - granite, limestone, sandstone, clay, loam, volcanic
Valley floor - alluvial
Of all the French regions covered in WSET 3, which one is the smallest?
Alsace
France’s wine region with the driest and sunniest climate is:
Provence Rhône Valley Alsace
Alsace
The dry and sunny climate in Alsace means that vine disease pressure there is:
Low High
low
Because Alsace has such dry conditions with lots of sunshine, what viticultural practices are widely used?
Organic and biodynamic farming/viticulture.
Vines planted on the slopes:
Machine or hand harvested? Trained high or low to the ground?
Vines planted on slopes are:
Hand harvested; Trained low to the ground to take advantage of heat radiating off the ground.
In Alsace, vines planted on the alluvial plains are:
Machine or hand harvested? Trained high above or low to the ground?
Usually machine harvested;
Trained high above the ground to mitigate frost.
Harvest in Alsace usually starts when and ends when?
In typical vintages harvest will start in mid-September and run through November, and sometimes will end in December depending on whether the producer has decided to make VT or SGN
What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace?
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
These 4 grape varietals are the only ones allowed to go into Grand Cru, VT and SGN wines
Most wines in Alsace are bottled as:
single varietals blends
single varietals
What are the two terms used in Alsace on bottles of inexpensive white blends?
Edelzwicker
Gentil
What is the fermentation vessel used by traditional wine producers in Alsace?
Large, old oak barrels
These old barrels have a thick layer of tartrate crystal deposits inside of them, preventing thewood from imparting any influence on the wine.
In Alsace, modern producers won’t use the traditional, large, old oak barrels. They’ll use this type of fermentation vessel.
Stainless steel tanks, making it easier to control fermentation temperatures.
In Alsace, why is malolactic fermentation (MLF) usually blocked for most aromatic white grapes?
The softening effects of MLF and buttery aromas would stunt and mask the purity of fruit flavors in these aromatic varietals.
What are 2 classifications that can be used by Alsace AOP and Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines?
Vendanges Tardives
Sélection de Grains Nobles
As of the 2021 harvest, Alsace wine producers must indicate the level of sweetness on their back labels.
In ascending order, what are the levels of sweetness that can be used?
Dry (sec): sugar content of the wine does not exceed 4g/L.
Medium-dry (demi-sec): sugar content of the wine is between 4g/L and 12g/L.
Mellow (moelleux): sugar content of the wine is between 12g/L and 45g/L.
Sweet (doux): sugar content of the wine exceeds 45g/L.
Define and Explain:
Vendange Tardive (VT)
Vendange Tardive (VT):”Late Harvest”
Made only from the four noble varieties;
May be dry, off-dry, or medium-sweet, and producer not required to indicate sweetness level on label;
Grapes for the best wines will have undergone passerillage;
May or may not show Botrytis;
VT may be printed on either Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Cru AOP labels.
Define and Explain:
Sélection de Grains Nobles
Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN): “Selection of Nobly Rotten Grapes”
Made only from one of the four noble varieties;
Made only in excellent vintages in small quantities;
Always sweet;
Must meet minimum sugar ripeness depending on grape varietal; Must show Botrytis, though levels vary producer to producer
Which noble grape is the most widely planted and the last to ripen in Alsace?
RIESLING
Generally speaking, are Alsatian Rieslings drier or sweeter than their German counterparts?
Generally, Alsatian Rieslings are:
drier
less floral
richer & fuller in body
Describe Gewurztraminer’s palate.
High alcohol
Full body, oily in texture
Low to medium acidity
Lychee, rose, and aromatic baking spices
Which white grape varietal in Alsace has light pink skins?
Gewurztraminer
Describe the palate of Alsatian Pinot Gris.
High alcohol
Full, rich body
Medium acidity (usually more than Gewurztraminer)
Less aromatic than Gewurz, but intensely flavored with fresh/dried fruit and honey
Describe Muscat’s palate.
Light to medium body
Medium alcohol
Low to medium acidity
Orange blossom, rose, grapey
What are the two Muscat varieties grown in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Ottonel
Which Muscat variety in Alsace is prone to poor fruit set and rot?
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Which Muscat variety in Alsace is less aromatic but more reliable?
Muscat Ottonel
What are the 2 principal appellations for still wines in Alsace?
Alsace AOP:
nearly 80% of all wine produced in Alsace
Alsace Grand Cru AOP:
Each of the 51 Grand Cru vineyards in Alsace is its own AOP ;
An Alsace Grand Cru label will have the name of the vineyard and the grape;
To be Alsace Grand Cru the grape must be one of the 4 noble grape varietals (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, or Gewurztraminer).
In Alsace, if a grape name is on the label, what percentage of that grape must be in the bottle?
If the name of a grape is on the label in Alsace,100% of that grape must be in the bottle.
There is one exception: Pinot Blanc. It is often blended with Auxerrois even though they are different grapes. Additionally, Auxerrois may carry the title of Pinot Blanc on a label even if it is bottled as 100% Auxerrois
What environmental issue can be a threat to Alsace?
Spring frost
Freezing temperatures can damage and even devastate tender new shoots and buds, which can ultimately lead to crop loss
Name three grapes planted in Alsace other than the noble grape varieties.
Sylvaner
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Noir
As of the 2021, what must all Alsace wine producers now indicate on their back label?
Alsace wine producers are to be legally obliged, from the 2021 harvest, to indicate on the label the sweetness level of their wines using a ‘standardised sweetness indicator’
Edelzwickers do or do not need to be vintage-dated?
Alsace AOP wines labeled Edelzwicker do not need to be vintage-dated, nor are they even legally obligated to contain more than one grape
The 51st Grand Cru of Alsace, _______, was added in 2007.
As of 2018, 51 lieux-dits are listed as Grand Cru, the latest addition being Kaefferkopf of Ammerschwihr in January 2007
What grape is Clos Ste. Hune produced from?
In which Grand Cru vineyard is Clos Ste. Hune?
Riesling
Rosacker, in Hunawihr
In what year did Alsace receive AOP status?
1962
Most of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in which département?
HAUT RHIN
Alsace AOP law mandates that from 2008 forward standard Riesling wines must be _______ in style.
Since 2008, and with alcohol levels rising, Alsace Riesling is usually made in a dry style
The most common pruning system in Alsace is _______ _______.
single or double Guyot system.
All wines in Alsace must be in a flute bottle except for two. What are the exceptions?
Is chaptalization permitted in Alsace?
yes
What was the first Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace?
Altenberg de Bergbieten
