Alsace Flashcards
Describe the basic geography of Alsace. (Location, climate, geographical landmarks, and soil)
Alsace is in Northeastern France, 300 miles east of Paris, just along the border of Germany. The vineyards run North to South, covering the foothills of the Vosges Mountains directly west of them. The vineyards are flanked on the East by the Ill river (6 miles away) and Germany’s Rhine river (12 miles away). The cover of the Vosges mountains provide a rain shadow effect, and the climate here is sunnier and drier than the rest of France. Soil in Alsace is widely varied, forming a checkerboard of chalky vineyard sites combined with clay, limestone, granite, schist, volcanic sediment, and sandstone.
Name some of the best recent vintages of Alsace.
1989*** 1990*** 1995 1997 2002 2005*** 2007 2010
What kind of wine is made in Alsace?
90% white wine. One of few regions in the world devoted almost exclusively to white wines.
About how much of each grape varietal is planted in Alsace?
(ABOUT) 20% Riesling 20% Gewurztraminer 20% Pinot Blanc 15% Pinot Gris 10% Pinot Noir 7.5% Sylvaner 7.5% Muscat and other varietals
What are the four “noble” grapes of Alsace? What is notable about these varietals in Alsace?
Riesling Gewurztraminer Pinot Gris Muscat They are the only varietals that are allowed to be labeled Grand Cru.
How are Alsatian wine labels different?
They are labeled by varietal, not region.
What is the minimum amount of a varietal that must be used for the grape to be named on an Alsace AOC label?
100% Alsatian wine makers focus on showcasing the character of the terroir and grape varietal.
What are late harvest Alsatian wines called?
Vendange Tardive
What is the name given to the rich, concentrated, late-harvest, botrytis-affected wines of Alsace?
Selection de Grains Nobles
Is there Chardonnay in Alsace?
Yes - It is permitted only for use as a blending grape in cremant d’Alsace.
How many Grand Cru vineyards are in Alsace?
51
How much of total Alsatian wine production does Cremant d’Alsace account for?
25%
When were Alsatian wines first given Grand Cru designation? What controversy surrounded it?
1983 The standards set for Grand Cru designation (like vineyard boundaries and maximum yield) were considered too lenient by many producers.
Name three vineyards (and their respective producer) that are known for great Alsatian Riesling.
Clos Ste.-Hune (Trimbach) Fronholz (Domaine Ostertag) Altenberg de Bergheim (Domaine Marce Deiss)
What varietals are in Pinot d’Alsace?
All the Pinots (Noir, Gris, and Blanc) and sometimes Auxxerois.
