Alsace Flashcards
Describe the climate and sunshine hours in Alsace
Continental climate with warm summers and cold winters (inland location)
High sunshine hours.
Despite the northerly location it has a warm, sunny, dry climate
Alsace’s northerly latitude promotes a _____ growing season
Long growing season
What is the average rainfall in Alsace?
Describe rainfall patterns and how this might affect the growing environment
Moderate rainfall (600mm per annum)
Drought can be an issue.
Rain is spread through the year
Wettest months are in summer (August)
Driest in autumn around harvest (late harvest styles)
Rain can affect flowering and fruit set, but autumns are generally dry meaning harvest is not usually an issue
What is the name of the wind that blows through Alsace and what effect does it have on the growing environment?
The Fohn
This is a warm, drying wind which raises temperatures and reduces disease pressure in the vineyards
What is the name of the mountain range in Alsace?
What effect does this have on the growing environment?
Vosne mountains
Act as a rainshadow to the region: most rain from the Atlantic falls to the west of the mountains
Describe the altitude and exposition you would expect for the best vineyard sites in Alsace
Best vineyards are planted at 200-250m on south, south east or south west facing slopes
How are vines typically trained in Alsace?
Double or single guyot is required by AOC regulations
High training mitigates frost risk and humidity
High canopy means maximum sunlight, but vines must be spaced apart to avoid shading.
What densities would you expect for vine plantings in Alsace?
4,000 to 4,800 vines per hectare is normal, with higher density plantings on the slopes
High canopy means maximum sunlight, but vines must be spaced apart to avoid shading
On the steepest slopes terracing may be necessary, as in some Grand Cru sites
What percentage of vineyards in Alsace are organically farmed?
How does this compare to the French national average?
15% - more than average which is 10%
In Alsace, what are the typical soil types found in:
- Steeper slopes. (3)
- Lower slopes. (1)
- Flatter plains. (2)
- Schist, granite, volcanic sediment.
- Limestone.
- Alluvial clay, gravel.
Name the 7 most planted grapes in Alsace. Which of these are considered noble grapes?
Riesling (noble) Pinot Blanc Gewurztraminer (noble) Pinot Gris (noble) Pinot Noir Sylvaner Muscat (noble)
What is special about the noble varieties in Alsace?
Noble varieties are permitted in Grand Cru wines and regulated wine styles such as vendange tardive and sélection de grains nobles
What sort of fermentation temperatures are used for Gewurztraminer?
Why?
Moderate temps for Gerwurz
Pronounced flavours are unaffected, higher temp ensures yeast can ferment effectively to higher ABV levels. Lower temps can give undesirable banana flavour
Is more red or white wine produced in Alsace?
90% white, most wines are single varietal
Describe typical winemaking options for Alsace white wines
- Chaptalisation is permitted and used in cooler years
- Prefementation skin contact is an option to extract more flavour and texture.
- Cool fermentation temps for Riesling, Sylavaner and Muscat
- Moderate temps for Gerwurz
- Temperature control is common
- Usually inert vessels: stainless steel or large oak casks
- Quality producers prefer ambient yeasts
- MLF is generally avoided to preserve pure fruit flavours
- Age on lees without stirring to preserve primary fruit
