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
How would an Alsace Riesling compare to a dry Mosel Riesling??
Alsace Rieslings are typically dry, broader in body, higher in alcohol, slightly lower in acidity and riper, richer flavours than a Mosel dry riesling.
How can you tell if an Alsace wine is dry or off dry?
Not really possible - Historically there has been little consistency in fermenting to full dryness vs. leaving some residual sugar; buyers need to know the style of a particular producer before buying.
What grapes can be used for Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles wines?
Riesling Pinot Gris Gewurztraminer Muscat (Noble grapes)
In what year was Alsace returned to France and adopted the AOC system?
1945
What is the average size of vineyard holding in Alsace?
Under 3.5ha - many sell to co-ops or larger wineries
What percentage of Alsace wine is sold by co-ops?
40% - these have a reputation for good quality
What percentage of Alsace wine is sold in France?
75%
What style of bottle must all Alsace wine be in? Why might this be a problem?
A tall bottle called Flûte d’Alsace
Problems with brand identity as consumers mistake Alsace wine for German
What are the key characteristics of Alsatian Pinot Gris?
Full bodied
High in alcohol
Medium acidity
Spicy, smoky qualities.
Alsace Grand Cru wines are produced only from the Noble Varieties and are single-variety wines.
What are the 3 exceptions and what is different about them?
Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf may blend varieties.
Zotzenberg is a historical site for Sylvaner.
What does ‘Vendages Tardives’ (VT) mean?
Late harvest. May be affected by Botrytis. Rich, full-bodied but not always sweet.
What characteristics do VT wines and SGN wines emphasize?
Vendanges Tardives wines emphasize varietal purity over Botrytis flavors.
SGN wines supress varietal characteristics in favor of Botrytis complexities.
How many Grand Cru vineyards are in Alsace?
51
What year was the first Alsace Grand Cru status given and what is the vineyard?
1975
Schlossberg
What are the key characteristics of Muscat?
Light to medium body
Medium alcohol
Low to medium acidity
Intensely aromatic, floral and grapey.
4 examples of Alsace producers:
Hugel.
Trimbach.
Marcel Deiss.
Zind-Humbrecht.
What are the two principal appelations of Alsace?
Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru
What is ‘Selection de Grains Nobles’ (SGN)?
How often and in what kinds of quantities are these wines made?
Wines from Alsace that are always affected by Botrytis.
Made in very small quantities, only in vintages when growing conditions are conducive to production.
What is the name of the river on the eastern side of Alsace?
the Rhine
What effect do the Vosges Mountains have on Alsace?
6 specific effects this has on the vineyards/the wines produced from them:
A rain shadow effect protecting the vineyards from harsh, rainy weather from N. France/ the Atlantic.
- Drier Climate
- More sunshine
- Long growing season
- Riper grapes
- Higher alcohol potential
- Fuller-bodied wines
What 2 factors have engendered controversy regarding the Alsace Grand Cru system?
- Rapid development.
- Lack of intermediary Premier Cru tier.
What are the 2 main divisions of Alsace, where are the best vineyards in Alsace located and why are they considered higher quality?
- The Bas-Rhin to the north, lower quality vineyards due to lower elevation and less protection from Vosges.
- Haut-Rhin to the south, higher quality vineyards due to higher elevation, more protection from Vosges.
What are the 2 kinds of Muscat grown in Alsace, and which one is used for the best wines?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains (used for the best wines.)
Muscat Ottonel.
What are the key characteristics of Alsatian Gewurtztraminer?
Perfumed, sweet spices, tropical fruit.
Low acidity, high alcohol, likely to be off-dry.
