Alsace Flashcards
What is the climate of Alsace?
Cool-continental
What are the main wine styles of Alsace?
- Dry, white wines
- 90% white wine production
How does Alsace label their wines?
By grape variety (not region) - similar to Germany
What does it mean if there is one grape varietal listed on an Alsatian wine?
- 100% of the listed varietal
Edelzwicker
- Noble wine
- A blend of the allowed white grapes in the region
What are the characteristics of Riesling from Alsace?
- Most important grape varietal
- Top region for Riesling
- Dry
- Fully ripened grapes
- Fruity
- Citrusy
- High Alcohol
What are the characteristics of Gewurtztraminer from Alsace?
- Exotic fruit
- Spicy
Describe Pinot Gris from Alsace
- Formerly known as Tokay or Tokay d’Alsace
- Rich & Full
- Almost honeyed
What are some other notable grapes grown in Alsace?
- Muscat
- Sylvaner
- Pinot Noir
What two major factors affect the climate of Alsace?
- Vodges Mountains (west)
- Rhine River (east)
How do the Vosges mountains affect Alsace?
- Protect from severe weather
- Protect from winter storms
- Lies in the “rain shadow” - driest region in France
- Sunny, dry conditions in summer
Cremant d’Alsace
- Sparkling wine
- Methode Champenoise
Vendange Tardive
- Wines made form ultraripe, late harvest grpaes
- Fermented completely dry
- High alcohol + Full flavors
- Varietal over Botrytis
Selection de Grains Nobles
- Sweet dessert wines
- Made from fully ripened grapes + botrytis
- Honeylike flavors
- Botrytis over Varietal
How is Alsace divided?
Two departements:
- Haut Rhin
- Premier Wines
- Bas Rhin
What are the four “noble” grapes of Alsace?
- Riesling
- Pinot Gris
- Muscat
- Gewurtztraminer