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Wset Diploma Unit 3 > Alsace > Flashcards

Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

Annexed by France

A

17th

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2
Q

Back into new German empire

A

1871

This led to production of cheap blending wines

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3
Q

Phylloxera & oidium crisis

A

Late 19th/ early 20th

Hillsides abandoned when replanting

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4
Q

Replanting of hillsides under French rule

A

1918

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5
Q

Export impossible under German rule

A

1939- 1945

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6
Q

Acceleration of replanting better sites thanks to export

A

1960s- 1970s

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7
Q

Climate

Good growing season?
Key influencers?
Rain and sun?

A

Cool continental w/ long summers (long cool growing season) but very cold winters

Vosges Mountains protect -> dry and sunny

1800 hours of sunlight and 500mm of rain/ year

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8
Q

Three different viticultural areas?

A

Northern slopes (Bas Rhin. Wetter -> less protection)

Southern slopes (Haut Rhin. Drier -> good protection + lots of grand cru)

Plaine d’Alsace (Lesser vineyards)

*the best sites are south east facing & 420m high.

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9
Q

Soil and topography

Then and now?
How many soil types?
Where are they?

A

50 years ago the Black Forest and the Vosges use to be one.

Terroir is diverse and rich -> 20 major soil formations.

Steep slopes -> Granitic, schist, sandstone & Volcanic
Gentil slopes -> Clay, marl, limestone
La Plaine d’Alsace -> Alluvial, eroded from Vosges, Rich & Fertile

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10
Q

Cepages Nobles

Grand Cru, SGN and VT

A

FOUR noble grapes

Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Muscat

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11
Q

Whites Vs Reds

% of planting?

A

Whites dominate w/ 92%

Reds 8% (Pinot Noir)

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12
Q

Riesling 25%

A

Planted in Alsace since 15th

Hardy & versatile
Expressive, high quality potential.
Ageing potential
Fuller, drier + more mineral vs German

SGN & VT

Bone dry, floral, gunflint, mineral, retains fruit w/ age
Best in Wolxheim, Dambach la Ville & Scherwiller

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13
Q

Gewürztraminer 19%

A

Signature grape of Alsace
Full bodied, Oily & aromatic.
Dry to off dry, low acid, high alcohol w/ spicy aromas
SGN & VT

Best are around Barr (Bas- Rhin),
Richer and more aromatic in southern Alsace.

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14
Q

Pinot Gris 15%

A 
Formerly Tokay until 06
Aromatic like Gewürztraminer 
Acid like Riesling
SGN & VT
Best in the north
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15
Q

Muscat 0.5%

A

Muscat blanc a petits Grains & Muscat Ottonel
Aromatic & Grapey
Dry, low alcohol, low acid
SGN & VT.. but rare

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16
Q

Pinot blanc/ Auxerrois/ Klevner 21%

A

Dry, light, none aromatic table wine

Much for Cremant

17
Q

Sylvaner 8.6%

A

Difficult to grow, bitter and firm

Medium alcohol, drink young, best in warm vintages

18
Q

How many ha?

A

16,000ha across 119 communes

19
Q

Viticulture

Slopes
Plain

A

Double guyot system

Slopes- Vines sun orientated and trained low as benefit from sun

Plain- trained high to minimise spring frost.

*Strong organic and biodynamic ethos since 70’s. Helps in dry conditions. 100 producers now cultivate this way. Eg. Zind Humbrecht.

20
Q

Winemaking

What is the aim?

Method?

A

Aim is to keep primary fruit and maintain tradition.

  • Pneumatic pressing with whole bunches for gentle pressing.
  • limited skin contact.
  • Cooler & longer fermentation. 14-16C
  • Old large oak casks/ Stainless for fermentation.
21
Q

How many growers?

How is the trade split?

A

There are 4,800 growers

Sales are split between

A.) Producteur-Negociants 43%
B.) Cooperatives 37%
C.) Individual winegrowers 20%

22
Q

Worth of industry?

A

Industry is worth €500m (half of Burgundy)

150m bottles/ year

Accounts for 18% of French AC white

23
Q

Schlumberger

A

1810

140ha (70ha Grand Cru e.g Kitterle) Largest Alsace Grand Cru producer.

Latte Raisonnee since 03, some biodynamic since 06

24
Q

Hugel

A

1639- 13th gen based in Requewihr

25ha (50% Grand Cru but doesn’t like to state)
Negociant business for additional wines
110,00 cases/ year. 80% exported

25
Q

Trimbach

A

1626 - Ribeauville

High end Riesling w/ fine fruit and acid (Clos st Hune)
9000btls/ year
Negociant business for additional wines.
Also does not state Grand Cru.

26
Q

Alsace AC

A

All grapes

70% total production

Varietal but some blends (Edelzwicker)

Flutes mandatory; if varietal -> 100% variety

27
Q

Alsace Grand Cru AC

A

51 Grand Cru since 75

Well defined areas, for only 4 noble varieties -> as 100% single variety.

Stricter rules around yields, picking (hand picked) & vinification.

28
Q

Cremant d’Alsace AC

A

22% since 1976

PG, PN, Riesling, Chardonnay

29
Q

Vendages Tardives

A

4 nobles -> 100%
Single vintage
Picking after certain date

Potential alc of 14% (Riesling + Muscat), 15.3% (PG + Gewürztraminer)
Chaptalisation forbidden

30
Q

SGN

A

4 nobles -> 100% single varietal

Only outstanding vintages

Potential alc 16.4% (Riesling & Muscat), 18.2% (PG & Gewürztraminer)
W/ botrytis

Wset Diploma Unit 3 (4 decks)

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