FR: Alsace, Lorraine Flashcards
what is a vin de liqueur?
Also called Mistelle in french. It is unfermented grape juice fortified with brandy (grape distillate). More fruit flavors.
what is a vin doux naturel?
“naturally sweet wine” grape juice is allowed to ferment before being fortified with brandy. Less fruit flavors than vin de liqueur, more flavors of fermentation
What German wine region runs parallel to Alsace?
Baden, across the Rhine River. Pfalz is the contiguation of Alsace, so it continues northward
When did Alsace attain AOC status?
1962- the last major winemaking region in France to do so
What are the two départements in Alsace? Which is in the North? What are their capitols?
Bas Rhin - northern half. Strasbourg is capitol.
Haut Rhin - in the south. over 2/3 of the grand cru vineyards are here. Colmar is capitol.
What geographical feature separates Alsace from the rest of France?
The Vosges Mountains
List some of the soil types in Alsace
granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, loess
grés de Vosges - local pink sandstone
What type of soil is typically on the steeper mountain slopes in Alsace?
schist, granite, volcanic sediment
What type of soil is typically on the lower slopes in Alsace?
limestone
What type of soil is typically on the plains in Alsace?
richer alluvial clay, gravel
Alsace synonyms for Pinot Blanc
Pinot Vrai
Klevner
By what other name was the Clos Ribeaupierre known?
Clos du Schlossberg
Which Alsace Grand Cru allows Sylvaner?
Zotzenberg
Boeckel producer
Grapes not allowed in Alsace Grand Cru
Chasselas, Auxerrois, Sylvaner (except in Zotzenberg)
What does Gentil indicate on Alsatian wine?
Alsatian blend, must be at least 50% noble varieties, vinified separately and then blended
rest of the grapes may be other alsatian white grapes- i.e. Chasselas, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois
producers: Hugel, Meyer-Fonne, and Willm
What is edelzwicker?
A blend of any two of the approved white varieties of alsace;
may be vinified separately or together, and no vintage needs to be declared on the label
*allows co-fermentation.
In what village is the Clos des Capucins? Who makes this wine?
In the village of Kayserberg, at the foot of Schlossberg GC, owned by Domaine Weinbach
Clos St Hune
in Rosacker Grand Cru, in the village of Hunawihr
Trimbach monopole, 1.67 ha, planted with Riesling
Limestone soils, SE facing
Alsace houses traditionally opposed to Grand Cru bottlings
Léon Beyer
Trimbach
Hugel
What Clos is owned by Albert Mann? What village is it in?
Clos de la Faille, Wintzenheim
What four grapes are permitted for Alsatian Vendanges Tardives?
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Gewurztraminer
What is Alsace’s signature cheese?
Munster
Cuvée Frédéric Emile: who makes it? Blend of which grand crus?
A blend of riesling from the Grand crus Osterberg and Geisberg produced by Trimbach since 1898
What is unique about the 1989 vintage of Clos St Hune?
one of very few vintages released as Vendange Tardives, labelled ‘Hors Choix’
other VT vintages: 1983, 1997, 2007
Who owns the majority of Schlossberg Grand Cru?
Schlumberger
Clos St Urbain
where?
proucer
aspect
grade
In Rangen Grand Cru
Zind-Humbrecht monopole
mostly Riesling, with PG & Gewurz
South facing
Volcanic, sandstone, low clay content
60% grade- very steep
Which Alsace Grand Crus allow blends?
Kaefferkopf (Meyer Fonne producer)
Altenberg de Bergheim (Marcel Deiss producer)
Altenberg de Bergheim
grapes
producers
varietal Riesling, Gewurz, PG
blends: 0-70% Riesling, 10-25% Pinot Gris, 10-25% Gewurztraminer, max. 10% combined Chasselas, Muscat à Petits Grains, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc
authorized for blends in 2001
produfers: Marcel Deiss, Gustave Lorentz, Sylvie Spielmann
What are the largest and smallest grand crus in Alsace?
Schlossberg 80.28 ha
Kaefferkopf 71 ha
Kanzlerberg 3.23 ha
Rangen
clos here
soils
grand cru of Alsace.
Clos St Urbain (Zind-Humbrecht)
Clos St Théobald (Schoffit)
Varietal: all noble grapes, but known for PG & Gewurz
Volcanic soils! just east of the main faultline of the Vosges. sulfur rich = less risk of phylloxera
335 to 465 meters elevation
Kanzlerberg
smallest GC of Alsace at 3.23 ha
only 2 producers: Sylvie Spielmann, Gustav Lorenz
Schlossberg GC
village
soil
producers
largest grand cru in Alsace, in village of Kientzheim
granite soils. non contiguous- in 2 sections.
mostly planted to riesling
Weinbach, Trimbach, Albert Mann, Marcel Deiss
Secondary grapes in Alsace?
Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Chasselas (Gutedel)
Sylvaner
Auxerrois
Muscat
Muscat Ottonel
Klevener de Heiligenstein (Savagnin Rose)
Pinot Noir
Klevener de Heiligenstein
aka Savagnin Rose. These communes may bottle varietally under Vin d’Alsace:
Heiligenstein
Bourgheim
Obernai
Gertwiller
Goxwiller
For varietally labeled Alsatian wines, how much of the grape on the label must be present?
grapes allowed
100%
Vin d’Alsace may be varietal: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Chasselas, Sylvaner
What is a synonym for Chasselas in Alsace?
Gutedel
What was Pinot Gris formerly called in Alsace?
Tokay Pinot Gris
Tokay d’Alsace
An Alsatian wine labeled “Pinot” may contain what varieties?
Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois
What is Savagnin called in Alsace?
Klevner de Heiligenstein, or Savagnin Rose
When was Alsace Grand Cru first decreed? When did each grand cru receive it’s own AOP?
First in 1975, With Schlossberg as the single named vineyard.
1983: 24 more added
1992: 25 more added
2007: Kaefferkopf was 51st
2011: all 51 become their own appellations
Alsace Vendanges Tardives requirements
may be vin d’Alsace or Alsace Grand Cru
must be hand harvested
may show botrytis character
not necessarily totally sweet
Riesling & Muscat: 244 g/l must weight
PG & Gewurz: 270 g/l
Alsace Sélection de Grains Nobles requirements
may be vin d’Alsace or Alsace Grand Cru
must be hand harvested
must show botrytis character
dessert like sweet
Riesling & Muscat: 276 g/l must weight
PG & Gewurz: 306 g/l
Crémant d’Alsace AOC
grapes
aging
Pinot Blanc*, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois
Rose 100% PN
Traditional method. 9 months on the lees, 12 months total.
Rosé wines may be made by Maceration or Saignée.
double or simple guyot
AOC est 1976
Côtes de Toul AOP - grapes and styles
In Lorraine
white: Auxerrois and Aubin
red: Pinot Noir
rose: made in pale vin gris style from Gamay and Pinot Noir
Moselle AOP- grapes and styles
white: Auxerrois, Muller Thurgau, Pinot Gris
red: Pinot Noir
** only french region that allows varietal MT!
Moselle River- flows north, and forms border between Luxembourg and Germany.
What are the two AOPs in Lorraine?
Côtes du Toul
Moselle
Who makes Clos de la Faille?
Albert Mann, in Wintzenheim
Pinot Noir!
Clos Windsbuhl
Zind Humbrecht monopole vineyard, 5ha
Located on a hill above the village of Hunawihr, overlooking the village church.
Not in a Grand Cru, but close to Rosacker
Planted to Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris
Who makes Cuvée St Catherine?
Weinbach
Zind Humbrecht uses an indice on their labels to refer to what?
Residual Sweetness
Alsace grand crus that are planted 100% Riesling?
Muenchberg
Kastelberg
Geisberg
they all allow other grapes though
Which grand crus does Trimbach bottle?
Mandelberg
Schlossberg
Geisberg
Frederich Emile: Osterberg and Geisberg
Clos St Hune: Rosacker
What are the minimum must weights for Alsace Grand Cru wines?
Alsace Grand Cru:
Riesling, Muscat, Sylvaner: 168 g/l
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 193 g/l
Altenberg de Bergheim:
Riesling: 185 g/l
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 218 g/l
What is the min alc % for Alsace Grand Cru?
Riesling/Muscat/Sylvaner: 11%
Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer: 12.5%
Altenberg de Bergheim:
Riesling: 12%
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 14%
Final Blend: 14%
Kaefferkopf:
varietal same as base, Final Blend: 12%
When must producers declare intent to make Alsace Grand Cru?
Intent to produce Grand Cru wine must be declared before March 1 of the harvest year
Quintessence de Grains Nobles
an unofficial term for wines that significantly exceed the minimum requirements for SGN wines. The term was invented in 1983 by Domaine Weinbach to describe an exceptional cuvee of that year’s vintage, and while still used primarily by Weinbach, it has been adopted by a few other producers, including Marcel Deiss.
Why is thermovinifcation a commonly used technique in Alsace?
Botrytis + Pinot Noir
Botrytis develops an enzyme called laccase, that destroys color. The only way to rid of this enzyme is to heat the must to 70° C
Alsace 2020 rules for sweetness
from 2021 vintage forward, wines labeled Vin d’Alsace / Alsace AOP must be labelled with one of the following:
Dry (sec): sugar content of the wine does not exceed 4g/L
Medium-dry (demi-sec): sugar content of the wine is between 4g/L and 12g/L
Mellow (moelleux): sugar content of the wine is between 12g/L and 45g/L
Sweet (doux): sugar content of the wine exceeds 45g/L
producers making Schlossberg GC
Trimbach
Weinbach
Schlumberger
Albert Mann
Marc d’Alsace
Gewurztraminer
Minimum Alcohol: 45%
Distillation Procedures:
Only copper Alambic/Pot stills may be used
Distillate must be less than or equal to 68.5% alcohol
Authorized Additives:
Addition of color is not allowed
Maximum residual sugar is 10 g/l
Aging Requirements:
May not be aged in wood.
Aged a minimum of 3 months prior to sale.
Additional Requirements:
Chaptalization of the marc is not permitted.
Distillation must take place during a period of time starting two months after the declaration of the harvest and April 30th of the following year.
Kaefferkopf Grand Cru
in village of Ammerschwihr. non-contiguous! covers 3 hillsides and is 71 ha (second largest GC)
Varietal: Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris
blends: 60-80% Gewurztraminer, 10-40% Riesling, max. 30% Pinot Gris, max. 10% Muscat
Which 2 Alsatian Grand Cru’s were the first to approve Pinot Noir for usage? When?
Hengst
Kirchberg de Barr
2022
*approved by France, but not by the EU. So, it will be in effect unless rescinded by the EU - which is unlikely.
Clos St Landelin
Muré monopole.
Grand Cru Vorbourg
Clos Hauserer
Zind-Humbrecht, in Winzenheim
types of Muscat in Alsace
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains
Muscat Ottonel
Zind Humbrecht’s Clos Vineyards
Clos Windsbuhl
Clos Hauserer
Clos Jebsal
Clos St Urbain
Name 3 major producers of Cremant d’Alsace.
Wolfberger (6 to 7 million bottles per year)
Lucien Albrecht
Dopff & Irion
Albert Mann
Pierre Sparr
Joseph Cattin
Cuvée Theo
Domaine Weinbach
Riesling and Gewurztraminer, from Clos des Capucins
What are the 3 northernmost Grand Crus of the Haut-Rhin?
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kanzlerberg
Gloeckelberg
Clos St Theobald
Domaine Schofitt
in Rangen Grand Cru
What is the soil composition of Altenberg de Bergheim?
150 million year old Jurassic marl-limestone covered in red calcareous clay - a very unique setup. There is also a significant amount of gypsum in the soil.
What is the Tahlwendala?
A cool nighttime wind unique to slopes just north of Ribeauville, affecting the Osterberg, Geisberg and Kirchberg de Ribeauville Grand Cru’s
Alsace AOP most planted grapes
Riesling, closely followed by Pinot Blanc, then PG, then Gewurz
Alsace AOP styles made
blanc without variety
varietal blanc
rose/clairet/schillerwein (PN)
rouge: PN
VT, SGN: single varietal, made from and labeled as: Gewurz, Riesling, Muscat, Muscat Ottonel, PG
Alsace VT min abv
Riesling, Muscat: 14.5%
PG, Gewurztraminer: 16%
Alsace SGN min abv
Riesling, Muscat: 16.4%
PG, Gewurztraminer: 18.2%
Alsace varietal wines min abv (noble grapes)
Muscat 9%
Riesling 10%
PG, Gewurz 11.5%
.5% higher if labeled with subzone or lieu-dit
Alsace Grand Cru min abv
white wines
Riesling/Muscat/Sylvaner: 11%
Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer: 12.5%
Alsace max residual sugar
Riesling: 6 g/l (if the wines have been chaptalized), 9 g/l (if tartaric acid is less than 6 g/l), 12 g/l (if tartaric acid is greater than 6 g/l) –this does not apply to SGN or VT Riesling, or Riesling labeled with a lieu-dit
Rosé: 4 g/l
Rouge: 2 g/l
Clos Jesbal
Zind Humbrecht, in Turckheim
Alsace Grand Cru min abv
Pinot Noir
Kirchberg de Barr: 12%
Hengst & Vorbourg: 12.5%
Altenberg de Bergheim min abv
Riesling: 12%
PG, Gewurz: 14%
final blend: 14%
Kaefferkopf min abv
Riesling: 11%
PG, Gewurz: 12.5%
final blend: 12%
When is intent to make Alsace Grand Cru declared?
must declare BEFORE march 1 of harvest year
also must be vintage dated
Alsace Grand Cru aging
wines must age until June 1 year following harvest
VT & SGN: June 1 second year following harvest
Kaefferkopf grapes
Varietal: Riesling, Gewurz, PG
blends: 60-80% Gewurz, 10-40% Riesling, max. 30% Pinot Gris, max. 10% Muscat
Clos vineyards in Rangen
Clos St Urbain (Zind Humbrect)
Clos St Tehobald (Schoffit)
