Ch 17 - Alsace Flashcards
What is the climate in Alsace? How does this impact grape growing?
Cool to moderate continental with lack of rain and lack of clouds = sunny summers, dry autumns. This means the grapes can achieve high levels of sugar ripeness.
What are the main hazards in Alsace? What natural features offer protection from the hazards?
Westerly, rain-bearing winds. The vosges mountains provide shelter from these. Drought can be an issue.
Where are the best vineyards in Alsace?
On the steepest slopes with east and south east aspects.
What are features of the more northerly part of Alsace?
Coolest climate and least protection from the Vosges.
Where are the lesser vineyards in Alsace? What are the grapes used for here?
On the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine. Crémant d’Alsace - AC Sparkling wine.
What is the soil like in Alsace? How does this impact wine?
Great variety of soils in the foothills of the vosges due to dramatic geological history. This is a key factor that contributes to the variety of styles produced and its influence on wine is more clear here than in many other regions.
What are the grape growing practices in Alsace?
Depend on whether vineyards are on slopes or plain. On slopes - trained low to get radiated heat and rows oriented to maximise sun exposure. Harvest by hand. On plains vines are trained high to minimise spring frosts. Organic and biodynamic viticulture widely practised due to low disease pressure in the sunny, dry conditions.
What is a challenged faced at harvest in Alsace?
Many growers have a number of small plots with different varieties which ripen at different times, so vintage is spread over a long period. Normally starts towards middle of September and may last right to end of November or even beginning of December for VT and SGN wines.
What are the labelling terms in Alsace?
Alsace - majority of production. Single grape variety and varietally labelled - means it is 100% that variety. Some blends may be made and some villages may add name to appellation for some styles - rare.
Alsace Grand Cru - produce from a single noble grape variety (Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, PG) however some exceptions exist. Label must state name of vineyard, vintage and grape variety (where appropriate). Controversy exists around vineyard boundaries as some consider they are far too large and include land not worthy of the appellation. Some therefore choose not to label theirs Grand Cru.
Vendanges Tardives. Late Harvest - only made from one of the noble varieties and must have specific minimum sugar ripeness depending on variety. Best will have undergone passerillage and some may have noble rot.
Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN) - only made from one of the four noble varieties and must have a certain minimum sugar ripeness depending on variety. Higher minimums than for VT and usually with noble rot. Not made every year and only in small quantities.
What are the noble grape varieties in Alsace?
Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat.
What style of wine are the majority of Alsace wines?
Varietal - blends will be less expensive and often from juice that was rejected for the varietals and will be labelled Edelzwicker or Gentil. There are some high quality and even Grand Cru blends but they are very rare.
What is winemaking in Alsace focused on and why?
Most of the varieties are very aromatic and so winemaking focuses on retaining those aromas and flavours. Traditional produces may ferment in large old oak. These may be mnore than 100 years old and have a thick tartrate deposit which prevents the wood influencing flavour. Stainless steel is more common now facilitating control of temps during fermentation.
Is MLF used in Alsace?
Not usually as it can mask pure fruit flavours but some may allow it.
How are Alsace wines matured? Comment on ageing of Alsace wines.
Normally won’t undergo much maturation and would be bottled in the spring following vintage while wine is young and fresh. Most are ready to drink but many are capable of further evolution in bottle.
Comment on the labelling of sweetness in Alsace.
Most wines used to be dry but now more sweeter ones are being made. There is no official labelling to indicate sweetness which is difficult for consumers. VT wines can vary from dry to medium sweet with no indication. SGNs are sweet but the extent of noble rot influence will vary. Therefore knowing house-style is important.
