Alsace, Jura, Savoie Flashcards
What are the white varietals of Alsace, the red?
riesling, gewurtztraminer, muscat, pinot gris, (pinot blanc)
pinot noir
Describe the classic Alsace style of white wine?
Powerful, dry, and aromatic…always made with the philosophy of the purest expression of the grape and the ground in which it is grown. - blending is almost unthinkable
made in stainless steel or neutral foudres, rarely ever new oak. and almost never malolactic
What is VT in Alsace? describe it
Vendange Tardive: made from super ripe, late harvested grapes. Doesn’t mean it is sweet. Hand-harvested at unenriched sugar levels.
Only made in favorable years.
What is SGN in Alsace? describe it
Selection Grains Nobles: an even more rare and concentrated version of VT wines. These however are almost always sweet and infected with botrytis. extremely dense concentration.
Describe the stylistic differences in the Haut Rhin and Bas Rhin in Alsace.
Haut Rhin - 2/3 of grand cru vineyards are here and known for it’s higher quality. The foothills of the Vosges in the south is where the highest quality grapes are grown.
Grand Cru in Alsace: How many vineyards, labeling laws, exceptions?
25 originally then additional 26 added. Can only be riesling, gewurtztraminer, pinot gris, and muscat.
Bust label the Grand Cru vineyard it comes from. 4% of total production. Hand Harvesting only
Some high end producers like Hugel protest it by using a different name than Grand Cru to identify such as Jubile.
Greatest differences between Alsace riesling and Mosel Riesling?
Mosel is known for nuanced wines, low alcohol, and balanced with a pinch of sweetness.
Alsace are very very dry, steel and minerals dominate the palate and lime citrus.
List some great Alsace Riesling producers and vineyard sites
Trimbach: Clos St. Hune and Cuvee Frederic Emile
Domaine Weinbach: Cuee Ste-Catherine
Domaine Ostertag: Fronholz
Domaine Zind Humbrecht: Clos Saint Urbain Rangen de Thann
Grapes of the Cotes du Jura AOP?
Red: Ploussard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir
White: Chardonnay, Savagnin (must equal 80% of wine)
What is Vin Jaune? Most well known AOP?
100% Savagnin. kept in barrel til december 15 of the 6th year after harvest, then they are put into burgundy barrels with space left. after time, just like sherry, a veil of yeast forms ontop and protects from oxidation. Must be bottled in the squat Clavelin 62 cl. bottle. US doesn’t let this bottle importation.
Chateau Chalon
What is Vin de paille?
Ripe, but not botrytised grapes are left to dry for a minimum of six weeks after harvest. high RS levels, high acidity and high alcohol
what is a clavelin?
a squat 62cl bottle. (not able to be imported into the US. to be what remains of a litre of wine after the statutory six years ageing in cask on ullage sous voile
What bodies of water affect Savoie?
Lake bourget and Lake Geneva (Lac Leman)
What varietal does Roussette de Savoie AOP produce?
Altesse grape
What varietals can be produced in Vin de Savoie AOP?
White: jacquere, altesse, Roussane, and Chardonnay
Red: Gamay, Mondeuse, Pinot Noir
