Alsace Flashcards
- On what sort of land in Alsace is Pinot Blanc grown?
- For what is it widely used?
- Flat, fertile plains
- Sparkling wines
What are 3 less-planted white varieties in Alsace?
- Pinot Blanc
- Auxerrois
- Sylvaner
What is the only black variety permitted in Alsace?
Pinot Noir in a light and fruity style
Why is the less aromatic variety Muscat Ottonel planted more widely than Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains?
It can be relied on to crop more regularly
Which Alsatian variety:
- Intensely aromatic
- Orange blossom, rose, grape
- Light-Medium body
- Low-Medium acidity
- Prone to poor fruit set and rot
Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
Which 2 varieties of Muscat are grown in Alsace?
- Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
- Muscat Ottonel
Which Alsatian variety:
- Rich, full body
- High alcohol
- Medium-high acidity
- Rich texture
- Pronounced intensity
- Fresh and dried fruits
- Honey
Pinot Gris
Which Alsatian variety:
- Pungent aromatic spice
- Lychee, rose, sweet baking spices
- Light pink tinge to skin
- Golden colour
- Full body
- Oily, rich texture
- Low-medium acidity
- High alcohol
Gewürztraminer
Which Alsatian wine:
- Medium-full body
- Dry
- Medium alcohol
- High acidity
- Citrus and stone fruit
- Stone and steel character
- Less floral than in Germany
Riesling
What is the most widely planted Alsatian variety?
Riesling
- In what style are SGN wines always made?
- What varies from bottle to bottle?
- Sweet
- Extent of the influence of noble rot
In what style can VTs be made?
Dry-medium sweet
What has the recent trend towards wines with some sweetness at Grand Cru level presented as a problem?
The fact that Alsace has no official labelling scheme to indicate sweetness so consumers do not know what style they are buying
When does bottling usually occur in Alsace?
The spring after the harvest, when the wine is still fresh
- What do traditional Alsace producers ferment their wines in?
- What effect does this have on the wine?
- What else might be used?
- 100+ year old large oak barrels
- Thick tartrate deposit prevents wood or oxygen having any effect
- Stainless steel temperature controlled tanks
Is MLF permitted to happen in Alsace?
Mostly not, but some producers choose to allow it
Can a blended Alsatian wine be high quality?
Yes, as they can come from Grand Cru sites, but this is very rare indeed
What 2 terms would indicate a blended, inexpensive Alsatian wine?
1) Edelzwicker
2) Gentil
Many Alsace growers have a number of small plots, planted with different varieties.
Why is this a logistical challenge?
(2 points)
The grapes ripen at different times, meaning:
1) The harvest is spread from September to November or even beginning of December for VT or SGN wines
2) It is labour intensive as several rounds of picking are required
- What method of viticulture are practised in Alsace?
- Why is it possible there?
- Organic and biodynamic
- Low disease pressure due to dry and sunny conditions
How are grapes in Alsace grown on:
1) The slopes (3 points)
2) The plain
1) - Vines trained low for radiated heat
- Rows oriented towards the sun
- Hand-harvested
2) Vines trained high to minimise frost risk
What is the soil type of Alsace?
Extremely varied: it has a dramatic geological history, and a clear influence on wine production.
- Where are the lesser vineyards in Alsace?
- What is grown there?
- On the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine
- Grapes for Crémant d’Alsace
Where are the best vineyard sites in Alsace?
Middle of steep slopes with south- and south-east aspects
What is an issue in Alsace in dry years?
Drought
- Alsace lies in the rain shadow of which mountains?
- What other effect do they have on the climate?
- The Vosges Mountains
- The lack of clouds leads to sunny summers and dry autumns
What is the climate of Alsace?
Cool-moderate continental
- Which 2 regulations are shared by SGN and VT?
- What 3 things are different for SGN?
1) - Must have a minimum level of sugar ripeness
- Must be from a single noble variety
2) - Higher minimum sugar levels than for VT
- Almost always affected by noble rot
- Not produced annually, and only ever in small quantities
In the best Vendanges Tardives, what will the grapes have undergone?
(2 points)
1) Passerillage
2) Noble rot development
What must VT wines have a minimum of, and on what does the minimum level depend?
- Sugar ripeness
- The grape variety
What does Vendanges Tardives mean?
Late harvest
From what type of grape must Vendanges Tardives wines be made?
A single noble variety
What is the major controversial issue surrounding Alsace Grand Cru?
Vineyard boundaries and size are often too large, encompassing land not worthy of Grand Cru status
What must the label of an Alsace Grand Cru state?
3 points
- Name of vineyard
- Vintage
- Variety (where appropriate)
What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace?
- Riesling
- Muscat
- Gewürztraminer
- Pinot Gris
From what must Alsace Grand Cru wines be produced?
A single noble grape variety
How many vineyards have an Alsace Grand Cru appellation?
Over 50
Do villages have the right to add their name to an Alsace wine?
For certain style of wine, but it is rare in practice
What does it indicate if a grape variety features on the label in Alsace?
100% of the grapes will be from the named variety
What do the terms ‘Réserve Personelle’ and ‘Cuvée Spéciale’ denote in Alsace?
They indicate a producer’s higher quality wines but have no legal status
Why does the simplicity of the Alsace appellation system cause problems?
There is no legal way of distinguishing between different levels of quality
What are the 2 Alsace classifications which depend upon sugar ripeness of the grapes?
- Vendanges Tardives
- Sélection de Grains Nobles
Which 2 types of appellation can apply to use the terms VT and SGN?
Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru
What are the 2 principal Alsace appellations for still wines?
Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru
What about Alsace is unusual for a French region?
Most of its wines are varietals labelled
What would you expect from a wine if you saw ‘Edelzwicker’ or ‘Gentil’ on the label?
For it to be an inexpensive blended wine
