Alsace Flashcards
Factors affecting climate.
Vosges Mountains (west) -Create rainshadow to protect region from the harsh, rainy, weather.
Rhine River (east)
- Water source
- Reflect light on to vineyards
- Retain heat
Importance of Vosges
- Create rainshadow for region
- Protects from harsh, rainy climate from France and the Atlantic
Sub-Districts
Bas-Rhin (north)
Haut-Rhin (south)
Location of Best Vineyards
Haut-Rhin (over 2/3 of grand cru vineyards are lcoated here).
Variety of soils in best sites
Marl, limestone, gneiss, schist, sandstone, granite, clay, and volcanic soils.
Noble Grape Varietals
Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling
Other allowed varietals
Pinot Blanc, Chasselas, Sylvaner, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir
Appellations of Alsace
Alsace/ Vin d’Alsace AOP
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
Cremant de Alsace AOP
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
- 51 Grand Cru Vineyards
- 4 grape varietals allowed to be planted in AOP
Alsace AOP
- One AOP covering entire region
- All wines must be bottles in the traditional Flute d’Alsace bottle
Cremant d’Alsace AOP
-Methode Traditionnelle sparkling wines that are usually made from blend of grapes
Lieu-dit
Specific part of vineyard or plot that is recognized for its historic or geographical differences
Climat
Named vineyard
Vendange Tardive (VT)
- Late-harvest (may also be affected by botrytis)
- Rich and full-bodied, but not always sweet
Selection de Grains Nobles
- Always affected by botrytis
- Made in small quantities
- Made only in vintages where growing conditions are conducive to their production.
Edelzwicker
- “Noble Mixture” (typically inexpensive wine)
- Blends
- No minimum cepage requirements
- Does not need to be vintage dated
Gentil
- Blend
- 50% of the blend must be composed of noble varietals
When was the first Alsace Grand Cru established?
- 1975
- Other sites added in 1983, 1992, 2007
Rangen Grand Cru AOP
- Located in village of Thann
- Most southern Grand Cru
- High altitude, extreme exposure
- Only grand cru with volcanic soils (heat retentive)
- Morning mist (formation of botrytis)
-Producer: Domaine Zind Humbrecht
Geisberg Grand Cru AOP
- Inbetween 3 Grand Cru sites: Ribeauville (south), Kirchberg (west), Osterberg (east).
- Steep, terraced site
- Triassic limestone, sandstone, marl
- Site faces fully south
- Top site for Riesling
-Producer: Trimbach “Cuvee Frederich Emile” (since 2008 all Gesiberg Riesling)
Muenchberg Grand Cru AOP
- Most northern grand cru site
- Named after monastic settlement 12th century
- Red sandstone with volcanic sediment soil
What is the grand cru for Sylvaner ?
Zotensberg
