Alsace as in WSETL3 Flashcards
Alsace has a cool to moderate continental climate. T/F
True
The lack of clouds result in ——— in Alsace.
sunny summers and dry autumns
Natural hazard in Alsace
Drought
The unique sunny summers and dry autumns in Alsace result in———
high levels of sugar ripeness
In Alsace the best vineyards are located on the steepest slopes with east and south-east aspects.
True
The more northerly part of the vineyard area has the coolest climate and the least protection from the Vosges.
True
The lesser vineyards lie on the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine.
True
The grapes from the lesser vineyards are often used for the production of Cremant d’Alsace, the local AC sparkling wine.
True
In Alsace, on the slopes vines are trained low to benefit from radiated heat and the rows are oriented to maximise the vine’s exposure to the sun.
True
In Alsace, on the plain the vines are trained high to minimise the risk of spring frosts.
True
Organic and biodynamic viticulture is widely practised in Alsace in part due to the low disease pressure in the sunny, dry conditions.
True
What are the two principal appellations for still wines in Alsace?
Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru.
For Vendanges Tardives (VT), for the best wines the grapes will have undergone passerillage and there may be some influence of Noble rot.
True
Selection de Grains Nobles usually achieve Noble rot.
True
What are the only grapes that can be used for VT and SGN?
The noble Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat
What are Edelzwicker and Gentil?
Blended wines from Alsace
What is the most common Alsace wine making technique?
fermentation in large old oak barrels/ stainless steel vats
MLF is normally not encouraged for aromatic varieties as this would mask the pure fruit flavours.
True
When is the bottling of Alsace wines occur?
in the spring following the vintage when the wines are young and fresh
Most Alsace wines are made in a dry style, but grand cru level wines are made in an off dry style.
True
VT wines can vary in style, ranging from dry to medium sweet.
True
SGN wines are always sweet although the extent of the influence of noble rot will vary from wine to wine.
True
Riesling is the most widely planted of the noble varieties in Alsace.
True
These wines are medium- to full -bodied, dry with medium alcohol, high acidity and display citrus and stone fruit aromas often with a pronounced stony/steely character.
Alsace Riesling
Alsace Riesling do not typically show as much floral character as those from Germany.
True
These wines are pungent aromatic spicy nose, reminiscent of lychees, roses and sweet baking spices, with golden colour.
Gewürztraminer
These wine from Alsace tend to be full-bodied with a rich oily texture, low to medium acidity and high alcohol - 14% abv is not uncommon.
Gewürztraminer
These wines are rich, full-bodied and high in
alcohol, often with more acidity than Gewurztraminer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
These wines have a similar color to Gewürztraminer but less aromatic. On the palate they are richly textured, intensely flavoured with fresh and dried fruit and a honeyed character.
True
These wines are intensely aromatic
with flavours of orange blossom, rose and grape.
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
These wine tend to have a light to medium body and low to medium acidity.
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
This grape are prone to poor fruit set and rot.
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
These Muscat grape variety is less aromatic than the other common variety in Alsace.
Ottonel
This wine has similar characteristics to Pinet Blanc, but is slightly spicier and more full-bodied.
Auxerrois
This grape variety can give wines that are delicately perfumed with some richness but far less than Gewurztraminer.
Sylvander
