Alsace & Lorraine Flashcards
Name some moderating weather factors in Alsace?
Rain Shadow effect from Vosges Mountains - Alsace is one of the driest and sunniest climates.
Rhein River
Describe the climate of Alsace? Preferred vineyard sites?
Semi-continental climate. Best vineyards enjoy S, SE, or E exposures for max sunlight. Most vineyards are along the lower slopes and foothills of Vosges Mountains. High # of sunlight hours
Soil types for Alsace?
Granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, loess, Gres de Vosges a local pink sandstone called.
Difference between higher slopes vs lower slopes soil types?
Higher - generally more schist, granite and volcanic sediment.
Lower - limestone base, richer alluvial clay and granite soils.
Soil is critical in determining which grape variety for a given site.
What other grapes may be bottled varietally in Alsace?
Pinot Blanc (Klevner), Pinot Noir, Chasselas (Gutedel), Slyvaner.
All must be bottled at 100%
Alsace Riesling characteristics?
Last to ripen, most widely planted grape in Alsace. More dry, powerful and higher in alcohol than German producers. Among longest lived dry white wines in the world.
Alsace Pinot Gris characteristics?
Quintessential grape for Alsace, formerly known as Tokay Pinot Gris. Reaches full & rich expression, with spicy-smoky qualities, well balanced high acidity,
Alsace Gewurtztraminer characteristics?
Perfumed, sweet spices, tropical fruits. Lower acidity, usually off-dry and higher alcohol than Muscat. Large neutral casks for fermentation & aging. Pink berry clone of parent grape Traminer.
Alsace Klevener characteristics?
Related to Traminer and Gewurtztraminer. Known as Savagnin in Jura. Less intensely aromatic than Gewuzt, but higher in acidity. Five communes bottle under Alsace AOP
Heiligenstein, Bourgheim, Gertwiller, Goxwiller, and Obernai.
What does ‘gentil’ refer to on Alsace bottling?
a superior designation for blends that contain a minimum of 50% noble grapes. Any other Alsace AOP grape may compose the remainder, and the base wines must be vinified separately.
Timeline for Alsace Grand Crus history?
1962 - gained AOP status
1975 - Schlossberg.
1983 - 24 more added
1992 - 25 more added
2007 Kaefferkopf last added
for Total 51
Name 3 Grand Crus of Alsace that allow blending
- Altenberg de Bergheim 50-70% Riesling & 10-25% Gewurtz (Marcel Deiss)
- Kaefferkopf 60-80% Gewurzt & 30% max Pinot Gris (Dom. Audrey et Christian Binner L’Originel)
- Zotzenberg with Sylvaner (Boeckel)
Yield limits for Grand Cru in Alsace
55 hl/ha for any grape variety from a grand cru
What percentage of wine production in Alsace is from Grand Crus vineyard sites?
4% total wine production contributions
8% regions vineyard surfaces
90% of Alsace production is white
Name 3 Grand Crus
- Rangen - high elevation, 1400ft, all volcanic soil, most southern Dom. Zind-Humbrecht.
- Geisberg - high elevation 1100ft, south facing. Really windy, Limestone, sandstone, marl. Dom. Trimbach.
- Schlossberg - higher up to 1150, south facing with granite soils, also largest 80.3 ha Dom. Weinbach
Name a bottle for Domaine Weinbach
Clos des Capucins Cuvée Ste Catherine Schlossberg Grand Cru Riesling
Fragrant, floral tangerine peel. Ripe fruit driven with tangerine, ripe lemon and crisp apple.