France - Alsace Flashcards
What is the approximate latitude of Alsace?
47.5 to 48.5 degrees North
What are the primary geographical features of Alsace?
The Vosges mountains to the west, and the Rhine river to the east.
What three towns mark the north, center, & south of Alsace? What River bank do they lie on?
Strasbourg, Colmar, & Mullhouse
How many Alsace Grand Cru Vineyards are there?
51
What are the general rules for Alsace Grand Crus?
Must be a varietal white wine from 1 of the 4 noble grape varieties: riesling, gewurz, pinot gris, muscat.
(there are a handful of blended & silvaner crus, but this applies to the vast majority)
They must be vintage dated, can’t be released til June 1st after harvest, and must come in a flute d’alsace.
Are usually dry, but can range the gamut. Vendages Tardives & Selections de Grains Nobles must be hand harvested and aged an extra year.
Yields and minimum alcohol is more regulated
Chaptalization is not allowed.
How much wine does Alsace make annually?
About 12.3 million cases
Can you tell me anything about wine production in Alsace?
There are a lot of producers with relatively few holdings. 38,300 acres between 4,930 growers.
Describe the geography of Alsace
a long thin region in the north east corner of france
75 miles long, between Baden & Champagne.
Divided between Bas Rhin & Haut Rhin administrative departments.
What is Alsace’s climate?
Cold continental, dry with abundant sunshine thanks to the rain shadow created by the vosges (cutting rainfall to a quarter of what it is to the east of those mountains)
What styles of wine are common in Alsace?
White grapes dominate, especially noble varieties, and 10 grapes in total are permitted in Alsace AOC wines: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Gewurtz, Pinot Blanc, Auxeroisse, Pinot noir, sylvaner,
Describe Alsace Appellation System
Three Primary AOCs
Alsace AOC
Alsace Grand Cru AOC
Crémant d’Alsace AOC
What are the rules for the Alsace AOC?
If a wine’s labeled with a variety it must be 100%
Varietal wines can be 1 of 10 grapes:
riesling, pinot gris, gewurtz, muscat
pinot blanc, pinot noir, auxerrois, chasselas, sylvaner, or klevener de heiligenstein (savagnin rose)
What are the rules for Crémant d’Alsace?
Must be traditional method sparkler from riesling and/or pinot gris, pinot blanc, pinot noir, auxerrois, chard.
Describe Alsace wine styles?
Most alsace wine is white, dry, varietal, moderately acidic, with an emphasis on fresh fruit & aromatics. Any oak used, even in red wine production, will be extremely neutral from tartrate crystal riddled old barrels.
Excessive sun the past decade (global climate change) has led to a little bit of RS alongside the high alcohol & phenolic ripeness
There are also sweet & dry late harvests (vendages tardives), and botrytis-affected sweet wines, selections de grains nobles.
Where are most Alsace Crus located?
In the Haut Rhin to the south
