Alsace Flashcards
What factors affect the climate in Alsace?
- Rhine River
- Vosges Mountains - rain shadow, continental climate
What is the driest growing region in France
Alsace
Which region has the highest proportion of biodynamic producers
Alsace
What are the sub districts of Alsace, and what are they known for?
Bas Rhin - North - (lower Rhine) - lower elevation. 14 GC
Haut Rhin - South - (upper Rhine) - higher elevation, majority of the quality wines, 33 GC
Is chapitalisation allowed in Alsace?
Yes, in all but VT and SGN wines
Where are the best vineyards in Alsace?
14 Grand Cru in Bas Rhin
33 GC in Haut Rhin
What are the soils of Alsace
Varied - ‘Mosaic of Terroirs’
What are the styles of wine from Alsace
90% white
Some red/rose/gris from PN
VT - late harvest, maybe NR. Dry to sweet.
SGN - botrytised. Always sweet. Both nobel varietals
23% of production is Cremant
What is Klevener (de Heiligenstein)
Alsace name for Savagnin rose (from Heiligenstein)
Define AOC Edelzwicker
Used to designate any blending of white AOC Alsace grape varieties, without any indication of percentage.
Define Gentil
AOC Alsace wines fulfilling blending standards.
At least 50% of Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris and/or Gewurztraminer.
Vinified separately
Define Lieux-dits (in Alsace)
Individual vineyards/plots. Term can be added to communal and Grand Cru
What is the largest Alsace GC?
Schlossberg (Haut Rhin) with 80 ha
What is the smallest Alsace GC?
Kanzlerberg (Haut-Rhin) with 3.2 ha
Which Alsace GC(s) are blending allowed?
Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf
What varietals are allowed in Alsace GC?
One of the nobel varietals (other than 2 exceptions)
What are the nobel varietals of Alsace?
Reisling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer
