Alsace (R) Flashcards
What is important about the bottling of Alsace AOP wines?
Must be bottled in traditional Flute d’Alsace shaped bottle
Alsace - red grape varieties?
- Pinot Noir
What grapes can be used for VT and SGN wines?
- Riesling
- Geewurztraminer
- Muscat
- Pinot Gris
How many AOP’s in Alsace?
2
What do the Vosges Mountains create for the region?
Rain shadow
How does the geography of the Haut-Rhin differ from that of the Bahs-Rhin?
- Higher elevation
2. Location of best vineyard sites (presumably due to more protection from the Vosges Mountains)
How does the geography of Bahs-Rhin differ from that of the Haut-Rhin?
- Lower elevation
2. Less protection from the Vosges Mountains
<p>Alsace - historical background?</p>
<p>1. Isolated region
<br></br>2. Heavily disputed
<br></br>3. Alternating French and Germanic rule, results in wines strongly connected to each
<br></br>4. Prominent Germanic grapes with French winemaking techniques</p>
What type of vessel is used for fermentation and aging in Alsace?
Neutral casks
The region of Alsace is divided in half between two departmental boundaries. What are they?
- Bahs-Rhin to the North
2. Haut-Rhin to the South
Which grape varieties are allowed to be planted in Alsace Grand Cru AOP vineyards?
- Reisling
- Gewurztraminer
- Muscat
- Pinot Gris
True or False: Alsace is one of the wettest regions in France.
FALSE
What causes the rain shadow in Alsace?
Vosges Mountains
What area does the Alsace/Vin d’Alsace cover?
The entire region
What characterizes a VT wine in Alsace?
- Late harvest (MAY be affected by botrytis)
2. Rich, full-bodied but not always sweet
What style of wine is Cremant d’Alsace?
Sparkling
Are Cremant d’Alsace typically single variety or blends?
Blends
Alsace lies between the __________ Mountains to the __________ and the __________ River to the __________.
- Vosges; west
2. Rhine; east
Where are vineyards planted on the Vosges Mountains? (topography)
Rolling foothills
What characterizes the soils in Alsace?
Tremendous diversity because of ancient geological activity
What are the various soil types in Alsace?
- Marl
- Limestone
- Gneiss
- Schist
- Sandstone
- Granite
- Clay
- Volcanic Soils
What method is used to make Cremant d’Alsace?
Methode Traditionelle (technically methode champenoise or methode classique)
What characterizes an SGN wine in Alsace?
- always affected by botrytis
- Made in very small quantities
- Only in vintages when growing conditions are conducive to production
Is oak used in Alsace?
Little to no use of new oak
Which way do the better vineyards face on the rolling slopes? (aspect)
East-southeast
What percentage of wines are made from white grape varieties in Alsace?
Over 90%
How are most wines labeled in Alsace? (regional wine law)
By single grape variety utilized
What characterizes the viticulture on Alsace?
- Long, Cool, dry growing season due to rain shadow
2. Better vineyards are planted on lower slopes facing east-southeast
Wines labeled by variety must be __________% of the grape indicated.
1
Define the term SGN in Alsace.
Selection de Grains Nobles
What characterizes the topography along the Rhine River?
Flat plains
How many grand cru vineyards in Alsace?
51
Alsace - location?
Northeastern corner of France
What effects does the rain shadow cause in Alsace?
- Drier Climate
- Sunnier Climate (not necessarily warmer)
- Long Growing Season
- Riper Grapes
- Higher alcohol potential
- Full-Bodied Wines
Alsace - white grape varieties?
- Reisling
- Gewurztraminer
- Muscat
- Pinot Gris
- Pinot Blanc
- Sylvaner
Name the AOP’s in Alsace.
- Alsace/Vin d’Alsace AOP
2. Alsace Grand Cru AOP
Define the term “VT” in Alsace.
Vendange Tardive
Alsace - climate?
- Cool continental (due to northernly latitude)
- dry, sunny summer due to rain shadow from Vosges Mountains
- Alsace is one of the driest regions in France
What impact does the Vosges Mountains rain shadow have on the region?
- Protects from harsh, rainy weather from Northern France and Atlantic
- Creates dry, sunny summers
