Alsace Vintages

Question 1

2014

Answer 1

Cool temperatures throughout August made 2014 a high-acid vintage for Alsace, which bodes especially well for Crémant. Late harvested whites were not a strong suit, but dry whites exhibit good typicality, albeit in a relatively restrained way.

Question 2

2013

Answer 2

A stop-start growing season produced a very small crop which, but for harvest rains, would have been perfectly formed. Those that brought in grapes early fared the best.

Question 3

2012

Answer 3

2012 went well for the Alsatians. Volumes were roughly average, and quality was very pleasing, thanks to a warm, steady August and a cool, dry September that kept vineyards disease-free. The Crémants, Pinots Noir and Gris, and Gewürztraminers are all especially successful.

Question 4

2011

Answer 4

Good quality in an early-maturing, drinkable style - but not so impressive as 2010 or the superior 2009s.

Question 5

2010

Answer 5

Lower yields than 2009, by about 20% overall. Quality is heterogenous thanks to some chaotic weather patterns, meaning that selectivity is the key to finding the best wines.

Question 6

2009

Answer 6

This year produced some of the most consistently healthy grapes ever in Alsace, translating into exemplary varietal character throughout the region.

Question 7

2008

Answer 7

Challenging weather conditions looked ominous for Alsace this year, but the wines have turned out to enjoy good concentration with balancing high acidity. Quality is not as high as the 2007 vintage. The Crémants are amongst the best.

Question 8

2007

Answer 8

Very good vintage, even earlier than 2003, with extremely healthy, ripe grapes.

Question 9

2006

Answer 9

Firm wines slightly lacking flesh.

Question 10

2005

Answer 10

Pure, expressive, well balanced wines with good ripeness.

Question 11

2004

Answer 11

Challenging vintage with quite a bit of rain.

Question 12

2003

Answer 12

Very difficult in view of the high temperatures. Acidity levels were so low that growers were, for once, allowed to add acid, though few of them really got the hang of it. Early maturing wines.

Question 13

2002

Answer 13

Fine weather at flowering followed an exceptionally cold winter so crop-thinning was necessary for high quality. The summer was much better than in most of France but rain in early October threatened the health of some grapes.

Question 14

2001

Answer 14

Flowering was extended by low temperatures. Late autumn warmth made up somewhat for a coolish summer and wet September, which robbed the region of a great vintage but there are some excellent wines drinking well now.

Question 15

2000

Answer 15

An exceptional vintage in every sense with a very early flowering and a very favourable growing season. A little rot of all sorts developed at the end of August and rains in October were sometimes heavy but good quantities of excellent wines, including late harvest styles, were produced.

Question 16

1999

Answer 16

Rain plagued the growing season and brought rot and mildew. Fine weather began in mid August and continued for a month so that careful vignerons looked forward to good quality but hopes were dashed by yet more rain.

Question 17

1998

Answer 17

Early harvest of very ripe grapes with some botrytis.

Question 18

1997

Answer 18

Some really excellent wines. Early harvest of very ripe grapes plus some outstanding sweet, later picked wines.

Question 19

1996

Answer 19

Solid but not desperately exciting wines.

Question 20

1995

Answer 20

Varied year in which those who picked low-yielding vineyards well after the rains made great Rieslings, some very ripe. Rot threatened everyday wines. Slightly reduced crop.