Alsace Flashcards
What are the three levels of IGP in France?
Regional (6), Departmental and Zonal (small specific regions within a department)
Name two distinct German influences that can be found ion Alsace bottles
Label by varietal not by region, flute bottle shape
Describe the Geography of Alsace.
Vosges mountains to the West, Rhine and Black Forest to the East
What are the seasonal hazards experience in Alsace?
hail, frost in the spring, noble rot
How are the best vineyards placed in Alsace?
On steep slopes, south aspect. Between 200-400m. Most found in Haut Rhin
Where is bulk wine produced in Alsace?
Bas Rhin, in the flat lands
What do the Vosges mountains contribute to the climate in Alsace?
Rain shadow effect. Only 5inches per year - lowest rain fall in all of France
What are the 4 noble grapes?
Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat
How many Grand Crus are there in Alsace?
51
How many Grand Crus allow grapes other than noble grapes. What are their exceptions?
Zotzenberg - allows Sylvaner Altenberg Bergenheim- allows blending Kaefferkopf - allows blending
What are other grapes found in Alsace (other than noble grapes)?
Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Noir, Chasselas, Sylvaner, Chardonnay, Klevener (Savagnin Rose)
What are the bottling/labelling rules of Alsace?
Varietal labelling, 100% varietal, 100% vintage, bottled in Alsatian flutes, bottled within the region
What are the two main classifications in Alsace? Grapes, yield, % production
Alsace AOP (1962) - 100hl/ha , 9 grapes allowed (from anywhere in Alsace), 80% of production Alsace Grand Cru AOP (1975) - noble grape varieties only, 55hl/ha, 4 % of production
What are some issues with the Grand Crus of Alsace?
-quick development of GC’s without developing Premier Crus first -inadequate definition of size and exact borders of individual GC -lack of respect respect for terroir when boundaries not defined -not all grapes work properly in specific vineyards -best production is now “Clos” located inside GC’s
Vendanges Tardives (VT)
late harvest wines, rich full bodied, not necessarily sweet - have to know producers
Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
Sweet dessert wine from botrytis affect grapes. Made in small quantities only in exceptional vintages.
Edelzwicker
term used for blends, commonly pinot blanc
Reserve, Reserve Particuliere (Alsace)
best cuvees or lots, no legal status
Pinot Auxerrois blend
A blend of Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc
Pinot Klevner / Clevner d’Alsace
Synonym for 100% Pinot Blanc or a blend of the Pinot family and chardonnay
Lieuy-Dits
A named place. A vineyard with recognized status but not recognized by AOC system
Gentil
unofficial term. Blend (“edelzwicker”) of 50% min noble grapes plus whatever else
Ageing requirements for Cremant d’Alsace
min 9 mo on lees, 3 mo in bottle (traditional method)
What are the grapes allows in Cremant d’Alsace
Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling. Rose = 100% Pinot Noir
Who are some Alsacian producers making a dryer style?
Trimbach, Hugel, Sparr, Marcel Deiss (organic & co-picking, co-fermenting)
Name an Alsacian producer making an off-dry style?
Josmeyer
Name two Alsacian producers making a rich style
Hugel, Zind-Humbrecht
Subzones of Alsace
Blienschwiller, Cotes de Barr, Klevener de Heiligenstein, Scherwiller, Vallee Noble, Val Saint Gregoire, Coteaux du Haut Koenigsbourg, Wolxheim, Bergheim, Cote de Rouffach, Ottrott, Rodern, Saint-Hippolyte
