Alsace Flashcards
What is the climate in Alsace?
Cool to Moderate, Continental
What is the name of the mountain range that protects vineyards from the rain-bearing westerly winds?
What are these ranges called in Germany?
Vosges
Haardt
What is increased due to the blocking effect of the Vosges Mountains? What effect does this blocking have on Autumn conditions?
Sunlight
Dry as a result
What is a climatic issue in the warmer years in Alsace?
Drought
Where are the best vineyards located?
Steep, east or south-east facing slopes
Why is there a great variety of soils in Alsace?
Is this reflected in the wines, here more than other regions of the world?
Dramatic geological history
Yes
Expand VT and SGN
Which wines must have a higher minimum sugar ripeness ?
Vendanges Tardives
Selecition de Grains Nobles
SGN (usually sugar is achieved through botrytis)
What are the two principal categories of appellations for still wines in Alsace?
Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru
What two processes might the grapes for the best Vendanges Tardives (VT) wines have undergone?
Passerillage Botrytis (maybe)
Alsace can be broken into the plains of the Rhine and the foothills of the Vosges, where would vines be trained low and oriented to maximise sunlight?
Slopes
Why would vines be trained high on plains?
To minimise the risk of spring frosts
What makes Organic and Biodynamic viticulture possible in Alsace?
Sunny, dry conditions
Why would a grower’s vintage be spread out over a significant period of time?
Many small plots with different varieties that ripen at different times (particularly with VT and SGN)
What are the four ‘noble’ varieties in Alsace?
Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat
What 3 styles of wine are limited to the use of the four noble varities?
Vendanges Tardives
Selection de Grains Nobles
Grand Cru
What juice is mainly used in blends? These blends will be labelled either Edelzwicker or Gentil
Juice not selected for varietal wines
Can blends be included in Grand Cru?
Yes but very rare
Traditional makers ferment their wines in large very old oak barrels, what further prevents the wood from having any impact on the wine? What is more common now?
A thick tartrate layer
Temperature controlled stainless
When are most wines released?
The next spring
Can many Alsace wines age in bottle?
Yes
What issue has arisen with the popularity of noticeably sweeter wines being produced, particularly at the Grand Cru level and in VT wines?
There is no official labelling scheme
Vendanges Tardives wines cover a range of which sweetness levels?
Dry to Medium sweet
How do Alsace Rieslings compare to German Rieslings? Less…?
Less Floral
What grape is the most widely planted in Alsace?
Riesling
List characteristics of the best Rieslings (body, sweetness, alcohol, acid, 2 clusters, 2 distinct notes)
Medium - Full Dry Medium alcohol High acid Citrus and Stone fruit Stony or Steely
What grape is known for it’s pungent, aromatic spicy nose of roses, lychee and sweet baking spices?
Gewurtztraminer
List structural characteristics of Alsace Gewurtztraminers (body, texture, acid, alcohol)
Full-bodied
Oily
Low - medium acid
High alcohol
Best Pinot Gris from Alsace is rich and full-bodied with pronounced flavour intensity. What are some typical flavours? Acid levels?
Fresh and dried fruit
Honey
Medium to High acid
Out of Muscat Blanc a Petite Grains and Muscat Ottonel, which is more intensely aromatic? Name three aromas.
Which is more widely planted?
Muscat B a PG
Grape, Orange blossom, rose
Ottenel is more widely planted as it crops more reliably
Where does Pinot Blanc tend to be grown?
The plains
Auxerrois can be compared to which other grape but is a bit spicier and full bodied?
Pinot Blanc
What is the only black grape allowed to be planted in Alsace?
Pinot Noir
