Alsace Flashcards
Cotes de Toul AOP?
AOP near Lorraine.
Reds from Pinot Noir.
Whites from Auxerrois and Aubin.
Roses in Vin Gris style from gamay and Pinot Noir.
Moselle AOP?
AOP near Alsace upgraded in 2011.
R/W/R from Auxerrois and Pinot Noir
Name the permitted varietals used for Alsace AC?
Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Sylvaner, Pinot Noir and Chasselas
Which Alsatian Grand Crus allow blending?
Kaefferkopf and Altenberg de Bergheim
What Grand Cru vineyard allows Sylvaner?
Zotzenberg
What percentage of vineyards in Alsace are Pinot Noir?
About 10%
What style of viticulture is popular in Alsace and why?
Biodynamic because Rudolf Steiner lived close to the area
Crement d’Alsace AOP?
MT sparkling from Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay.
Riesling, Pinot Gris and Auxerrois are also allowed.
What is the only AOC that allows Chardonnay in Alsace?
Cremant d’ Alsace
Characteristics of an Alsatian Riesling?
Dry, more powerful and higher in alcohol. Among most long lived dry whites in the world, due to acidity in minerality.
Must Alsatian Riesling be dry?
Yes, standard Riesling must be dry according to a 2008 law.
What are the former names for Pinot Gris in Alsace AOP?
Tokay d’ Alsace
Tokay Pinot Gris
What are the characteristics of Alsatian Pinot Gris?
Full, rich with spicy- smokey qualities and good acidity
What are the characteristics of Alsatian Muscat?
Highly aromatic with fragrant floral and grapey notes
Alsatian Gewürztraminer?
Highly aromatic, perfumed sweet spices and tropical fruit sometimes off dry.
Edelzwicker?
Noble mixture- Alsatian blended wine.
No vintage required.
Not legally obligated to contain more than one grape.
Gentil?
Designation for superior Alsatian blends must contain 50% noble grapes.
What is Alsace Grand Cru AOP?
Proposed in 1975, Enacted in 1983.
25 designated in 1983, 25 in 1985, Kaefferkopf in 2006.
Single varietal wines from noble grapes. Hand harvested. Higher minimum must potentials.
What are the two sweet wines of Alsace AOP? What are their criteria?
Vendanges Tendives.
Selection de Grains Nobles.
Maybe used in conjunction with Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Cru AOP.
Single Noble Varietal. Pass a blind tasting panel. Doesn’t have to be sweet.
Selections de Grains Nobles?
Botrytis affected fruit in Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Crus AOP.
Single Varietal. Picked in tries. Emphasis Botrytis. Typically dessert- like.
Where are the vineyards located in Alsace AOP?
At the foothills and lower slopes of the Vouges with southern or southeastern exposure
What are soils like in Alsace AOP
- Mix of chalk, loess and local pink sandstone (Gres de Vosges)
- Steeper slopes have schist, granite and volcanic sediment
- Lower slopes have limestone base
- Plains have richer alluvial clay and gravel
What % of Alsace AOPs production is white?
90%
What are the noble grapes of Alsace?
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner (Zotzenberg), Muscat (Muscat Blanc/ Rose a Petit Grains, Muscat Ottonel)
Besides the noble varieties, what are the allowed varieties in Alsace AOP?
Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Chasselas (Gutedel)
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
What is the exception to the rule that all wine bottled in Alsace AOP must have 100% of the varietal?
Pinot Blanc which is often blended with Auxerrois
What is the significance of the Vosges Mountains?
Provides rain shadow effect for Alsace, ensuring a dry sunny climate.
Alsace AOP climate?
Semi continental with little rainfall.
Generous sunshine ensures grapes ripen with more regularity than Loire or Bugundy
What is Klevener de Helilgenstein and where it is from?
The Alsace wine made from the Savagnin Rose grape.
The minimum alcohol content of Alsace Grand Cru?
11% ABV
Minimum Alcohol content for AC Alsace?
8.5% ABV
A sweet wine from Alsace might be labeled?
Selection de Grains Nobles
When did Alsace get AOC?
1962, last major French winemaking region to do so
What are the two departments of Alsace AOP?
Haut- Rhin
Bas- Rhin
Where are the best wines generally from in Alsace AOP?
The Haut- Rhin- 2/3 of the Grand Crus are located there
Vendage Tardives?
From Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Cru AOP single varietal. Emphasis varietal character. May show Botrytis. Passerillage is used. Can be dry.
Does Alsace AOP allow for Red and Rose wines?
Yes, from Pinot Noir
T or F: Only Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat and Gewürztraminer are planted on the SI Alsace Grand Cru vineyard sites.
True
Name the only Alsatian Cru allowed to produce Sylvaner
Zotenberg
How many times has Alsace changed hands?
5
What are the grape varieties allowed for a Grand Cru in Alsace?
Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris
What Grand Cru vineyards in Alsace may legally produce Sylvaner varietal wines?
Zotzenberg
What two Muscat varieties may be used for Alsace Grand Cru wines?
Muscat Blanc/ Rose a Petits Grains and Muscat Ottonel
Describe characteristics of an Alsace Pinot Gris?
Rich and high in alcohol.
Similar in color to Gewürztraminer but less aromatic
Luscious and full of fresh/ dried fruits and a smoky/ honey character
Describe characteristics of an Alsace Gewurz in terms of intensity, characteristics, acidity and alcohol levels
Pungent, aromatic, spicy nose, reminiscent of lychees, roses and cashews.
Low in acidity and high in alcohol.
Alsace: Winemaking, what is unusual about the vessels? What % of the varietal is typically listed on the label? What is unusual about the bottle?
Stainless steel or tartrate encrusted casks used to retain varietal character.
100% named varietal on label.
Bottles in region in Alsace flute.
Alsace: Grapegrowing, Where are best vineyards located? What is unusual about trade?
Best vineyard in Haut- Rhin, on east facing foothills of Vosges Mountains.
Majority of vineyards are small holdings, co- ops and merchants important.
Alsace: soils
Varied.
Slopes contain granitic, limestone, sandstone, clay loam and even volcanic.
Plains- alluvial
Alsace: Climate and weather
Cool, sunny, dry continental.
Protected from rain and wind from the west by the Vosges Mountains, giving long, dry autumns
The Rhine river separates the Southern part of Baden from what?
The Alsace wine area
T or F: although there are over 1200 wine producers in Alsace, the overwhelming majority of the region’s wine production is carried out by 175 firms
True
How many AOCs does Alsace possess?
3
Wine under Alsace Grand Cru designation may be dry or sweet. True or False?
True
Where are Riquewhir and Ribeauville located?
Alsace
What is Gentil and where can it be found?
Gentil is found in Alsace.
Blend of 2 or more grape varieties but must contain a minimum of 50% Riesling, Gewurz, Pinot Gris or Muscat
Where is Sylvaner a permitted varietal for Grand Cru classification?
Zolzenberg
True or false: Alsace grand Cru vineyards must be hand harvested
True
True or false: The Alsace AOC can be still or sparkling?
False
Why does the grape harvest in Alsace last three months?
The various mesoclimates, with different sun exposures, ripen grapes at different times.
The style of wine being crafted (dessert versus dry) impacts the harvest date.
The difference grape varieties all ripen at different times.
Alsace originally belonged to what country (prior to the 17th century)?
Germany
How many major soil types are in Alsace?
13
What Alsace grape is related to Melon de Bourgnone?
Auxerrois Blanc
What Alsace grape is believed to have been cultivated in Egypt?
Chasselas
What Alsace wine terms denote product?
Gentil, Edelzwicker and Crement d’ Alsace
What are the terms for Cremant nomenclature from driest to sweetest?
Brut
Sec
Demi- sec
What are some signs of evidence of German legacy in Alsace?
Flute bottles
Teutonic Phonics
Varietal Labelling
Cultivation of Riesling
What grape is permitted in Alsace Cremant production, but not still wine production?
Chardonnay
Klevener is also known as________________?
Savagnin Rose
What are the 3 AOCs from Alsace?
Alsace AOC
Alsace Grand Cru AOC
Cremant d’ Alsace AOC
What percentage of Alsace wine is produced in the grand Cru category?
4%
Steinkoltz
Grand Cru vineyards of Alsace
Limestone
Northernmost
What wine technique is disappearing in the cellars of Alsace?
Chaptalization, due to global warming, which is resulting in riper grapes with higher sugar levels.
What is the climate of Alsace?
Continental
What lands protect Alsace from Atlantic storms and winds?
Vosges Mountains
What people bought the vine to the Rhine river valley?
Romans
True or False: There are specific and stringent wine laws regarding residual sugar in Alsace.
False
True or false: Venganges Tardives may or may not be affected by botrytis at harvest
True
What varietals are legally permitted for Alsace Grand Cru AOC?
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Gewürztraminer
What is the most widely planted grape in Alsace?
Riesling
What Alsatian grape is believed to be native to Austria or Transylvania?
Sylvaner
True or false: the plain of Alsace was carved by the Rhine river?
False
What Alsatian grape was formerly known as Tokay?
Pinot Gris
True or false: Alsace receives the least amount of Rainfall in all of France
True
True or false: 90% of Alsace production is white wine?
True
True or false: Alsace has the highest (AOC grape) crop yields in all of France
True
The AOC for sparkling wines of Alsace made in the methode traditionelle is called:___________________
Cremant d’ Alsace
What are the dessert wines of Alsace?
Vendanges Tardives
Selections de Grains Nobles
When did the wines of Alsace hit their apogee?
The Renaissance
True or false: Cremant d’ Alsace may legally be made from all approved AOC grapes except Riesling.
False. Riesling is permitted, it is Gewürztraminer that is prohibited.
Which of the traditional grapes of Alsace is not indigenous to France?
Riesling
What are the two muscats grown in Alsace?
Muscat a petit grains
Muscat Ottonel
What Alsatian grape is believed to have originated in Northwest Italy or Greece?
Gewürztraminer
How many Grand Cru vineyards are in Alsace?
51
Middle Ages- Alsace
Was a province of the Germanic Holy Empire. France developed into a centralized national state in the 15th and 16th centuries, a position which brought them into direct conflict with the Spanish Hapsburg house, a branch of Europe’s most powerful dynasty. The French-Hapsburg rivalry catapulted the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) in Europe from a localized German religious dispute into a general European war for political dominance. In 1639, French armies seized a majority of the region of Alsace to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Spanish Hapsburgs. The Treaty of Westphalia concluded the war in 1648 and cemented France’s ownership of Alsace until Germany claimed the territory with Lorraine at the conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. Alsace-Lorraine enjoyed an extremely brief period of total independence as the abdication of Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm brought the end of World War I, but French troops quickly moved on Alsace-Lorraine and its capitol, Strasbourg, and re-incorporated the region into the country within a month. Despite a short occupation by Nazi Germany in the early 1940s, Alsace remains French.
Winegrowing in Alsace dates to the first millennium.
160 Alsatian villages were growing the vine by 1000, this peaked in the 16th century. The brutal Thirty Years’ War demolished winegrowing in the region and the political instability of the following 300 years repressed the resurgence of the vine. French control following World War I reasserted viticulture in Alsace, many of the region’s current vineyards date to 1945 and after. 1945= divergence in French and German winemaking styles; German wines = sweet, whereas Alsace = dryness for a more powerful and food-friendly wine. In 1962, Alsace finally achieved AOC status—the last major French winemaking region to do so.
Alsace, France’s smallest région, is divided….
into two départements, Haut-Rhin and Bas- Rhin. This division provides a useful convention for quality of wine: generally the premier wines originate in the Haut-Rhin, and over two-thirds of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in the département.
Geographically, Alsace is separated from……
the remainder of France by the Vosges Mountains in the west. The mountains provide a “rain shadow” effect; Alsace is one of France’s driest and sunniest climates.
Colmar, capital of the Haut-Rhin département, is the driest city in France.
The vineyards of Alsace exist in a thin strand along the lower slopes and foothills of the Vosges, and the exact aspect and location of each vineyard is of importance in this semi-continental climate. The better vineyards enjoy southern, southeastern, or warm eastern exposures to maximize sunlight. However, despite its northerly location, Alsatian vines typically ripen with greater regularity than those in the Loire or northern Burgundy, due to the sheer number of sunlight hours in the summertime.
Alsace- Soil types….
The land is a geologic mosaic; granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, loess, and the local pink sandstone—grés de Vosges—can be found throughout the region. Although it varies from village to village, the steeper mountain slopes are composed of schist, granite and volcanic sediment. The lower slopes sit on a limestone base, and the plain at the base of the mountains consists of richer alluvial clay and gravel soils. Reflection on soil type is critical in consideration of the appropriate grape variety.
In Alsace, white grapes are paramount….
and 90% of AOP wine is white. As of 2008, this figure represents 18% of France’s total AOP still white wine production.
Despite the presence of Pinot Noir…..
the four “noble” grapes of Alsace—Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat (either Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains or Muscat Ottonel), and Gewurztraminer—occupy the premier sites and are, with minor exceptions, the only grapes planted in the region’s grand cru vineyards.
Alsace wines generally state the variety on the label……
With the exception of Pinot Blanc, which is often blended with the similar but not synonymous Auxerrois, all varietally labeled Alsace AOP wines must contain 100% of the printed grape. Even if bottled as a single variety, Auxerrois may be accorded the title of “Pinot Blanc” on the label. White wines simply labeled “Pinot,” on the other hand, may contain any proportion of related varieties—Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Auxerrois.
Alsatian Rieslings are characteristically ……
dry, more powerful, and higher in alcohol than their German cousins. They are amongst the longest- lived dry whites in the world, due to a pronounced acidity and minerality. With sweetness creeping steadily upward in recent years, Alsatian AOP law mandates, from 2008 forward, that standard Riesling wines must be dry in style.
Pinot Gris, formerly called Tokay d’Alsace or Tokay Pinot Gris, is…….
is perhaps Alsace’s quintessential wine: the grape here achieves its fullest, richest expression, with spicy-smoky qualities and a frame of good acidity.
Muscat and Gewurztraminer are both highly aromatic;
Muscat shows fragrant floral and grapy notes whereas Gewurztraminer tends toward perfumed, sweet spices and tropical fruit. Both are lower in acidity, but Gewurztraminer is higher in alcohol and more likely to be off-dry. New oak is usually not a factor in the vinification of these varieties, although many producers use large neutral casks for fermentation and aging.
Klevener
Another pink variant of Traminer—known as Savagnin in the Jura—retains a few plantings around the commune of Heiligenstein in the Bas-Rhin; his Savagnin Rose, or Klevener de Heiligenstein, is less intensely aromatic than Gewurztraminer but higher in acidity. 5 communes may bottle this wine varietally under the existing Alsace AOP: Heiligenstein itself, Bourgheim, Gertwiller, Goxwiller, and Obernai.
Edelzwicker
(“noble mixture”) usually indicates its own inverse: an inexpensive blended wine. Alsace AOP wines labeled Edelzwicker do not need to be vintage-dated, nor are they even legally obligated to contain more than one grape. In practice they are blends, however, and do not need to indicate any percentages or grapes on the label. “Gentil” is a superior designation for blends, requiring a minimum of 50% noble grapes. Any other Alsace AOP grape may compose the remainder, and the base wines must be vinified separately. Finally, some producers advocate field blends as the best approach for serious wines. In this case, the grapes are typically vinified together and produced under a vineyard name. Marcel Deiss is one of the staunchest advocates of using this approach as a means of emphasizing Alsatian terroir.
Grand Cru AOP wines are produced only from the noble Alsatian grapes and are typically single-varietal wines…..
although this is no longer required by law. The grands crus Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf may blend according to certain prescribed proportions. In addition, Zotzenberg is a historical site for Sylvaner, and as such the grape is permitted in Grand Cru AOP varietal wines from the vineyard. Hand-harvesting is mandatory for all grand cru wines. Minimum sugar levels at harvest are higher than those for Alsace AOP, and yields are more restricted. The minimum potential alcohol is 11% for Riesling and Muscat and 12.5% for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, although certain vineyards mandate higher amounts. In 2011, the number of actual Alsace Grand Cru AOPs was increased from one to 51 as each vineyard received its own appellation and cahier des charges, pivoting from the Chablis model to that of the Côte d’Or. This shift may ease further restrictions or expansions of the grape varieties, yields, and techniques allowed for each grand cru.
The rapid development of the Alsatian grand cru system, coupled with the lack of an intermediary premier cru level, has engendered controversy.
Some producers choose not to utilize grand cru labeling as the politics of vineyard selection may have, they feel, outweighed the specificity of site. Trimbach has traditionally released their Riesling Clos-Ste-Hune as Alsace AOP without any mention of the large Rosacker Grand Cru on the label. (However, the venerable house released its first vintage of Geisberg Grand Cru with the 2009.) The house of Hugel likewise chooses not to promote admissible wines as Alsace Grand Cru AOP.
In 1984, two new designations for late-harvest wines: Vendanges Tardives and Sélections de Grains Nobles
These two terms imply sweetness and may be printed on either Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Cru AOP labels, provided the wines contain a single, noble variety and pass a blind tasting panel. Grapes destined for Sélection de Grains Nobles are generally picked in tries, and suppress varietal character in return for the complexities of botrytis. Vendanges Tardives, on the other hand, may show botrytis character but emphasizes varietal purity. Quality VT wines usually originate from vines in a state of passerillage. VT and SGN wines are not obligated by statute to be sweet; in practice SGN wines are always dessert-like but VT wines may vary in actual sugar, and can be quite dry. Grapes for both wines must be hand-harvested at specific, unenriched minimum sugar levels: Vendanges Tardives requires a minimum of 235 grams per liter for Muscat and Riesling, and 257 grams per liter for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. Sélection de Grains Nobles requires 276 grams per liter for Muscat and Riesling and 306 grams per liter for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. At 306 grams per liter, these wines are amongst the highest minimum must weights in France.
Pinot Noir is the only…..
Red variety permitted for Alsace AOP wines.
Pinot Noir may contribute to the Crémant d’Alsace AOP blend……
although Pinot Blanc is the workhorse for these sparkling wines. Crémant d’Alsace is the only appellation in the region to allow Chardonnay; Riesling, Pinot Gris and Auxerrois are also authorized. Sparkling wine production has developed into a profitable and expansive pursuit for Alsatian houses, commanding nearly a quarter-share of the appellation’s output.
The neighboring région Lorraine has declined as a winegrowing area.
In the Côtes de Toul AOP, light red wines are produced from Pinot Noir and white wines contain Auxerrois and Aubin. Rosé wines, made in a pale vin gris style, include a high proportion of Gamay and Pinot Noir. The small Moselle AOP, upgraded from VDQS in 2011, produces red, white, and rosé wines, principally from Auxerrois and Pinot Noir. As the Moselle River flows north from France, it forms the border between Luxemburg and Germany. As its waters pass Trier, the river carves through the sheer slopes of one of Germany’s greatest regions for the Riesling grape: the Mosel Valley.
Hugel
One of the best-known and oldest wine producers in Alsace, having been established in 1639. The family business is run today by the 12th and 13th generations. The Hugels, based in Riquewihr, make fine wines from their own 30 ha/74 acres of vineyard around the village planted mainly with Riesling and Gewurztraminer, together with a little Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Their Tradition range can be excitingly full and the Jubilee range masterful. The Hugel family also pioneered the resurrection of Alsace’s late-harvest wines and were instrumental in drawing up the rigorous requirements for these vendange tardive and sélection de grains nobles wines. They are arch exponents of these styles themselves, and produce them, and the Jubilee range, exclusively from their own alsace grand cru vineyards. The Hugel family, of which six family members worked in the Riquewihr wine business in the mid 2000s, have long been champions of maximizing quality in Alsace’s finest wines, and are vociferous opponents of the Alsace Grand Cru appellation, which they feel is no guarantee of quality. The Hugels buy in grapes, never wine, for their basic generic range of wines from about 100 ha/250 120 ha/300 acres of vineyard under contract from more than 300 growers. Marc Hugel is in charge of winemaking.
Trimbach
Family-run wine producer based at Ribeauvillé in alsace. The company was established in 1626. Its wines are characterized by very fine fruit and high acidity. Riesling constitutes half of production and even its most basic offering can stand many years’ bottle ageing. Two of its most famous bottlings are Rieslings: the very fine, rare, and long-lived Clos Ste-Hune (in fact from the Alsace Grand Cru Rosacker) and Cuvée Frédéric Émile, named after the 19th century Trimbach who expanded the business to become an important merchant house as well as vine-grower. The family owns 45 ha of vineyards in eight different villages around Ribeauvillé, famous for the diversity of its soils. Recent additions have included 2 ha in the Grand Cru Schlossberg and holdings in Geisberg and Kirchberg rented from the local convent.
Alsace- History
Has switched back and forwards from German to French rule. Alsace was a part of Germany until WW1. During thistle produced bulk wine of bad quality. This changed when Alsace went back to french rule. 1925 Banning hybrid vines and AC legislation took place in 1962, with bottling in the area of production using the traditional Alsace flute bottle made law in 1972.
Grower/ producers own more than 50% of v/yards. Co- ops about 2/3s and negotiants own less than 5% but they buy large quantities of the remaining growers. 5000 growers, 3100 farm less than 2 hectares. V/ yard land is divided into small parcels and most growers do not rely solely on grape growing/ winemaking for their income.
25% is exported, principal export markets in defending order are: Belgium/ Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, USA. Wine from growers accounts for 23% of sales, co-operatives 37% and negotiants 40%.
Alsace AC and Alsace Grand Cru AC
Two ACs for still wine. Simplicity can cause problems when growers want to distinguish between qualities of different labels produced. Often find Cuvee Speciale or Reserve Personnelle on the label, which have no legal status.
Alsace AC (Vin de Alsace AC)
80% of total production. Grape variety will appear on label (apart from a small number of blends), if variety is stated the wine must be produced exclusively from that variety. Maximum yields are 80hl/ha for white and 75hl/ha for Pinot Noir
Alsace Grand Cru AC
Individual vineyards producing the finest wines. Name of vineyard and grape appear on label. 51 Vineyards qualify for Grand Cru status. Produced from Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztaminer or Pinot Gris. 100% single varietals. Exceptions are the blends (Kaefferkopf, Attenberg de Berheim only) and Sylvaner (Zotzenberg only). Maximum yields lower than Alsace AC and grapes must be hand pruned. New plantings in Grand Cru areas must exceed 4500 vines per hectare and be pruned between 8-19 buds per m2. Syndicate Viticole for each Grand Cru area control the chaptalisation, grape varieties, harvest date, PLC levels, etc
Vendage Tardive (VT)
Late Harvest made from the four noble varieties, must be 100% single varietals. Grapes must have potential alcohol o 14% for Riesling and Muscat and 15.3% for Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. Chaptalisation is forbidden. Finished wine will have some level of residual sugar.
Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN). Selection of Nobly Rotted Grapes, also from the four noble varieties, must be 100% single varietals. Sweet wine produced in outstanding vintages. Must have some level of Botrytis and potential alcohol of 16.4% for Riesling and Muscat and 18.2% for Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer.
Alsace- Location
Situated in Eastern France on the border with Germany, next to the river Rhine, separated by the Vosges mountain chain from the rest of France.
Alsace- Climate
Driest area in France, Vosges Mountains range protects from the prevailing westerly, rain bearing wind. 1800+ sunshine hours, hot summers and long dry autumns make for near perfect vine growing conditions. Occasional summer storms with hail. Cold winters allow for vine rest. Occasional extreme winter temperatures cause vine death.
A warm mescolimate close to Colmar gives a daily temperature of 1 degree higher than Alsace average.
Soil types of the lower slopes- Alsace
- Plantings on slopes of varying steepness with a soil depth of 50cm to 6m
- Calcareous- depending on amount of clay present fertility will vary. Soil is dry and pebbly. Found between Ribeauville and Rouffach
- Calcareous Sandstone- less clay, better drainage but less fertile
- Clay/ Marl- small pebbles on heavy almost impermeable soil, rich in fertilising elements.
- Calcareous/ marl- poor, deep soils rich in calcium, best suited to the vine
Soil type of the Plains- Alsace
Base of lowest slopes, where drainage is good, water available and certain sunshine. Large soil variations here, care needed with rootstock choice to suit soil
Alsace- Grape Varieties
Grape variety is dominant feature of the front label. 100% of named grape must be in the wine. Riesling, Gewurztraimer, Pinot Gris and Muscat considered ‘noble’ varieties, suitable for production of Grand Cru, Vendage Tardive and Selection de Grains Nobles wines. Wine making reflects the character of the grape. Drier and fuller bodied than equivalent German wines. Pinot Gris and Gewurztainer often with some residual sugar. Suitable vines and rootstock have been identified for each commune. Analysis of soil for organic, phosphoric and potassium content is used to define Grand Cru sites. Range of varieties with different flowering and ripening times planted to spread the risk.
Riesling- Alsace
Finest Alsace variety. Produces fine strong fruit character, full nose and high acidity. Typical alcohol of 11.5- 12.5%. Hardy grape, late ripening, suitable for late harvest. Granite and Schist most suitable soil types. 25% of all plantings in Alsace are Riesling. Best vineyards found around the towns of Wolxheim, Dambach- la- ville and Scherwiler, good vineyards found around Ammerschwir, Hunawihr, Husseren- les Chateau, Kayersberg, Orschwihr, Ribeauville, Thann and Riquewihr.
Gewurztraminer- Alsace
Gewurz is German for spice. Aromatic, spicy notes of lychees, rose water, full palate with some sweetness. Skin of grape has a light pink tinge giving a hint of colour. Low acidity and high alcohol common. Planted on deep marl soils in the Voges foothills and accounts for a fifth of Alsace plantings. Best wines found around Barr, also Bergheim, Eguisheim, Kayersberg, Kientzheim, Turckheim and Pfaffenheim.
Pinot Gris- Alsace
Was known as Tokay d’ Alsace, now objected by EU because Pinot Gris has never been used in the production of Hungarian Tokaji. Wine produced is rich and alcoholic, less aromatic nose but luscious and full of flavour on the palate, with balancing acidity. Also used for production of Cremant d’ Alsace. Variable yield and prone to difficulties with fruit set, grows best on deep soils rich in clay and fine particles or volcanic rock. Best wines produced near Obernal and extreme north at Cleebourg. Good wines made around Babenheim, Kientzheim, Mittelwhir and Guebwiler.
Muscat- Alsace
Area under decreasing rapidly due to susceptibility to rot, only 3% of total vineyard area. Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains produces better quality but Muscat Ottonel widely planted as more reliable. Wine produced is dry with a distinctive grape nose and musky palate. Likes sandy or calcareous soils and good wines grown in Gueberschwhir, Mittelwihr, Katzenthal and Wetteolsheim.
