Alsace Flashcards
What are the 4 designated noble grapes in Alsace?
Riesling
Gewürztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Describe Vendange Tardive.
Translates directly as late harvest, The grapes maybe picked only when official authorization is given. The trouble with vendange tardivr wines is that they can vary from almost dry to really sweet karma yet no hint of sweetness level is given on most white labels.
What is the minimum must weight for VT?
235 g/L for Riesling, Muscat, Muscat Ottonel
257 g/L for Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer
What does SGN stand for?
Sélection de Grains Nobles
What is SGN?
Signifies a wine made from even riper grapes, often at least partially concentrated by the botrytis fungus. These relative rarities are easiest to make in the regions sunniest years. Their sweetness level can also vary quite considerably although individual producers will generally ensure that their SGNs are sweeter than their VTs.
What is the minimum must weight for SGN?
276 g/L Riesling, Muscat, Muscat Ottonel
306 g/L Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer
What was the first Alsatian grand Cru?
Schlossberg
What are the two départments that Alsace is divided into?
Haut-Rhin
Bas-Rhin
What is significant about Haut-Rhin?
Generally, the premier wines originate here and over two-thirds of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in the départment.
What separates Alsace from the remainder of France?
Alsace is separated by the Vosges Mountains in the west.
What do the Vosges Mountains provide?
A rain shadow effect, helping Alsace be one of France’s driest and sunniest climates.
What type of climate is Alsace known to be?
Semi-continental, Dry and sunny
What types of soils are found?
Granite Limestone Schist Clay Gravel Chalk Loess Grés de Vosges
What is the local pink sandstone called?
Grés de Vosges
What soil are the steeper mountain slopes generally composed of?
Schist, granite, and volcanic
What soil do the lower mountain slopes generally composed sit on?
Limestone base with richer, alluvial clay and gravel soils
What grape is more prevalent?
White. 90% of AOP wine is white.
Name other varieties in the Muscat family.
Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains
Muscat Ottonel
In Alsatian dialect, what is another name for Pinot Blanc?
Klevner
In Alsatian dialect, what is another name for Chasselas?
Gutedel
What is the requirement if a bottle is labeled by variety?
That the wine must contain 100% of the printed grape with the exception of Pinot Blanc which may be blended with Auxerrois.
If a white wine is simply labelled Pinot, it may contain a proportion of what related varieties?
Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois
What is the term written on a label of a wine that has no grape variety listed, typically indicating an inexpensive blended wine.
Edelzwicker (“noble mixture”)
What does gentile mean? What is the requirement?
A superior designation for blends, requiring 50% noble grapes.
