D3 - Alsace

Question 1

What is Alsace’s climate like, and what causes it?

Answer 1

Continental – warm, sunny and unusually dry climate due to it being in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains.

Question 2

Why is the growing season so long in Alsace?

Answer 2

It has a northerly latitude.

Question 3

• What is Alsace’s annual rainfall?
• What pressure does that put on the vineyards?

Answer 3

• 600mm/year;
• Drought pressure (irrigation is not permitted).

Question 4

Besides being in a rain shadow, what other drying influence is there in Alsace?

Answer 4

Föhn wind – a drying wind that raises the temperature and reduces fungal disease risk.

Question 5

• The better vineyards in Alsace are at what elevations?
• What direction do these better vineyards face?

Answer 5

• 200/250m - 450m asl;
• South/southeast/southwest for maximum sunlight interception.

Question 6

Where and in what kind of soils are the lesser-quality vineyards of Alsace planted?

Answer 6

• The plains between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine river;
• Deeper, more fertile soils that promote vegetative growth and high yields.

Question 7

What do the less fertile, better-draining soils of Alsace (and most regions) promote?

Answer 7

• Slower growth;
• Better fruit quality.

Question 8

Riesling is cold hardy.

Why does it have some protection against spring frost?

Answer 8

It buds late.

Question 9

Select the correct answer.

Riesling needs a growing season that’s:

a. short
b. long
c. cloudy

Answer 9

b. long

Question 10

Give a quick SAT on Alsace Riesling.

Answer 10

• Dry;
• Medium to full body;
• Medium alcohol;
• High acidity;
• Citrus, peach, stony.

Question 11

Gewurztraminer is the opposite of Riesling’s budding and ripening timing.

When does Gewurztraminer bud and ripen?

Answer 11

Buds early, ripens early.

Question 12

When is Gewurztraminer usually harvested in Alsace?

Answer 12

Late so it achieves fully ripe skins, maximizing the aromas and avoiding unripe tannins.

Question 13

Give a quick SAT on Gewurztraminer.

Answer 13

• High alcohol;
• Medium to full body;
• Low acidity;
• Lychee, apricot, rose, spice.

Question 14

Like Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris is __ budding and __ ripening.

Answer 14

Early budding, early ripening.

Question 15

Both Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer accumulate high ___ levels leading to medium to high alcohol levels.

Answer 15

Sugar

Question 16

AOC regulations in Alsace dictate vines must be trained how?

Answer 16

Single or double Guyot.

Question 17

Why are the fruit zones and canopies trainer higher in Alsace than in other regions?

Answer 17

• Fruit zone – to reduce the risk from frost and humidity, especially on the valley plain;
• Canopy – to maximize exposure to the sun.

Question 18

Fungal disease might be low in Alsace, but what other afflictions does the region suffer?

Answer 18

• Vine moth;
• Esca.

Question 19

About __% of Alsace’s vineyards are certified or in conversion as organic, above France’s 14% national average.

Answer 19

35%

Question 20

Most white grapes in Alsace are fermented at lower temperatures except Gewurztraminer.

Why is that?

Answer 20

A slightly higher fermentation temperature ensures that the yeast can ferment effectively to high alcohol levels.

Low fermentation temps can lead to banana flavors, which are undesirable in Gewurztraminer.

Question 21

Why is malolactic conversion typically avoided on the white wines from Alsace?

Answer 21

The aim is to preserve primary fruit aromas and flavors.

Question 22

Maximum yields in Alsace range from __ hl/ha for Grand Crus to __ hl/ha for Alsace AOC.

Answer 22

• Grand Crus – 55 hl/ha, though 50 hl/ha for some Grand Crus (e.g. Rangen);
• Alsace AOC – 80-100 hl/ha depending on the grape.

Question 23

Co-ops in Alsace, most of which have good reputations, represent __% of sales.

Answer 23

40%

Question 24

All still wines from Alsace must be bottled in this shape bottle, and none can be bottled in this.

Answer 24

• Must be in flute-shaped bottle;
• None can be B-I-B (Bag-in-Box).

Question 25

In 2022, which two vineyards in Alsace became Grand Crus for Pinot Noir?

Answer 25

1. Hengst;
2. Kirchberg de Barr.

Question 26

Name a Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace that is allowed to produce a blended white wine.

Answer 26

Altenberg de Bergheim