Alsace Flashcards
What percentage of Alsacian wine is sold by independent growers?
20%
Describe the climate of Alsace.
Continental climate. little rainfall. hot summers, sunny, dry autumns. Autumns are long due to the influence of the Vosges mountains.
Which area has the coolest climate and the least protection from the Vosges?
Bas-Rhin
What are the most important grape varieties of Alsace?
Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, pinot Blanc, Sylvaner and Pinot Noir
What percentage of wine production does Alsace AC account for?
70%
In Alsace, if a grape varietal appears on the label, what percentage of that grape must be used?
100%
What are the two ACs in Alsace?
Alsace AC and Alsace Grand Cru AC
How many Grand Cru vineyards are there in Alsace?
51
Which 4 grape varieties are permitted for Grand Cru status in Alsace?
Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, or Pinot Gris
What are the two classifications for Alsacian wine?
Vendange Tardive and Selection de Grains Nobles
Describe wines classified as Vendange Tardive.
Late harvest wines. Must be from the 4 noble grape varietals. Must have a sugar ripeness of 14% abv for Riesling and Muscat and 15.3% for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. wines can vary in style from dry to medium sweet.
What is the level of sweetness required for VT wines?
there is not requirement. wines can vary in style from dry to medium sweet.
What does Selection de Grains Nobles mean?
Selection of nobly rotten grapes
Describe SGN wines.
must be made from one of the four noble grape varieties. Must have a sugar ripeness of 16.4% abv for Riesling and Muscat and 18.2% for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. They are always sweet.
What are the 4 noble grape varieties in Alsace?
Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris.
Describe the typical characteristics of the best Alsacian wines with the exception of VT and SGN wines.
they are traditionally dry and full bodied with spicy notes to accompany the fruit. They are usually high in alcohol due to the hot summers.
What is the most widely planted variety in Alsace
Riesling
Describe a typical Alsacian Riesling.
full bodied, medium to medium+ alcohol, high acid, flinty mineral character.
What grape is responsible for the best SGN wines?
Riesling.
What grape is responsible for the best VT wines?
Gewurztraminer.
Describe a typical Alsacian Gewurztraminer.
pronounced aromas of lychees, rose and baking spices. full bodied with rich oily texture, medium to low acid, high alcohol.
Describe the characteristics of Alsacian Pinot Gris.
rich, full bodied. high in alcohol. fresh and dried fruit and a smoky, honeyed character . same golden color as gewurzraminer but less pronounced aromas.
What are the two departments of Alsace? Where are they located?
Haut-Rhin to the south and Bas-rhin to the north.
Do most alsacian wines go through Malolactic fermentation?
No because it would mask the pure fruit flavors.
