France - Alsace Flashcards
Alsace geography
Northeastern France, on the border with Germany
What Mountain range makes up the western border of Alsace
Vosges Mountains
Alsace is subdivided into two regions. What are they
Bais - Rhin
Haut - Rhin
Geography of Bais Rhin
Lies to the north, has a lower in average elevation and is less protected from the Vosges Mountains
Geography of Haut Rhin
Lies to the south, has a higher average
elevation, and is more protected from the Vosges Mountains. Many of the best regarded vineyard sites are located in the Haut-Rhin
Describe Alsace climate
Cool, continental climate with a dry, sunny growing season
Describe Alsace physical features
Vosges Mountains
Rhine River
What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewürztraminer
Muscat
Red grape varies
Pinot Noir
Is Grand Cru labeled on the bottle
No
White Grape Varieties (there are 8)
Auxerrois
Chardonnay
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
Pinot Gris
Pinot Blanc
Riesling
Silvaner
Describe soil in Alsace and why it’s like that
Soils vary widely in their type and origin as a result of a long history of geological activity.
Chasselas ⚪
Describe the types of soils
Marl, limestone, gneiss, schist, sandstone, granite, clay, and volcanic soils.
What makes up the eastern border of Alsace
The Rhine River
What does Vin rouge mean
Red wine in French
What does Vin Gris mean
A delicate, pale version of rosè in French
What does Vin Rosè mean
Rose in french
How do the Vosges Mountains improve the region
-Creates a rain shadow that affects vineyards
- One of France’s driest and sunniest climates.
-Long, cool, and dry growing season
- Better vineyards planted on slopes facing east/southeast.
How much wine is made from white wine varieties
Over 90% of Alsace wines are made from white grape varieties
Is there oak in Alsace?
Large neutral casks, little to no use of new oak.
What type of wine is made in Alsace
Sparkling, dry, off-dry, and sweet wines are made
What is the best time to drink wines from Alsace
Between 1 to 4 years
What type of bottles do they use in Alsace
Flutes
What are some features of wines from Alsace
- dry
- lots of fragrance
- light spiciness
What type of casks are used
Foudres - large neutral casks
What type of wine labels are used
Crémant
Edelzwicker
Gentil
Sèlection de Grains Noble
Is AC vin d’alsace and AC Alsace the same classification?
Yes
What color are most bottles
Green
What is the minimum alcohol content for Wines categorized as AC Alsace of AC Vin d’Alsace
8.5 abv and must be made from one of the permitted grape varieties or a blend of two or more
If a wine is from Alsace and is blended with two or more the AC allowed grapes what is it called
AC Edelwicker
If a wine is from Alsace and is a blend of two or more grape varieties but must contain a minimum of 50% Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and of Muscat. What is it called
AC Gentil
What type of wine is Crémant d’Alsace AOP:
Traditional method sparkling
wine
As of 2007 how many vineyards fans under the classification of AC Alsace Grand Cru
51
Examples of important Alsace Grands Crus Vineyards
-Schlossberg
-Brand
-Goldert
-Hengst
What grape is known to be a good common base for cremant d’Alsace
Pinot Blanc ⚪
Which grapes are allowed in Alsace Grand Cru AOP
Riesling
Pinot Gris,
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
Pinot Noir (added in 2022)
Which grape got added to Alsace Grand Gru AOP, and in what year?
Pinot Noir 🔴
2022
Three (3) Exceptions to the Alsace Grand Cru AOP grape variety rule
- One of the Grand Crus uses Sylvaner
- Two of them allow blending
- Two allow red wine
Is the grape or vineyard typically named on the bottle in Alsace
The grape is typically what is on the bottle. It some do state the origin on the label
What are the label requirements for a wine if labeled under a Grand cru Appellation (what has to be shown on the label)
Show the name of the vineyard and vintage on the label
In Alsace , if the grape name is on the label what percentage by law must that wine make up of that grape?
100%
Alsace AOP wines must be bottled in what?
The traditional “Vin du Rhin” / “Flûte d’Alsace” bottle
Describe Vendange Tardive (VT)
Late-harvest, rich, full-bodied,
not always sweet
What is the most planted grape in Alsace
Riesling ⚪
What is the difference between German and Alsace Riesling
Alsace Riesling is traditionally:
- dryer
- fruitier on the nose
- marked with minerality
- oily texture
- fuller body
Than German Riesling
What food pairs well with Alsace Riesling
- Hors-d’oeuvres
- oysters
- shellfish
- fish dishes
- veal
- pork
- roasted chicken
Describe Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
Botrytis-affected grapes, made in small quantities, only in top vintages.
Other foods that pair well with Alsace wines
Many rich, smoky cured meats such as
bacon and sausages.
Producers/Proprietary Brand
Trimbach
Domaine Weinbach
Marcel Deiss
Hugel et Fils
Pierre Sparr
Zind-Humbrecht
History and Lore of Alsace
This region has a history of French and German political rule because it was a strategic area that the two countries fought over for many years.
Alsace has a distinctive culture, evident in its architecture, language, and food.
This wine from Alsace has citrus / spicy bouquet, medium to full bodied, slightly sharp but yet smooth and dry. Also ages very well
Pinot Gris 🔴 (red grape but white wine)
What does Pinot Gris from Alsace pair well with
- veal
- pork
- poultry
- light spicy dishes
What is the climate of Alsace
Cold Continential
Why is Alsace unique regarding the bottling regarding French law
The only AOC in France that is allowed to designate its wine by varietal
True or False
Alsace is the only region in France that is legal to grow Riesling
True
First grand Cru of Alsace
Schlossberg
What AC in Alsace allows Chardonnay
Cremant d’Alsace
What is unique about Pinot Noir from Alsace
It’s the only Alsace wine to be permitted to be sold in Bourgonge style bottles
Do they use oak in Alsace
Rarely, if used it is old oak cask ( has no effect on the flavor of the wine)
What are the soil types of Alsace
- granite
- limestone
- schist
- clay
- gravel
- chalk
- loess
- pink sandstone (grés de Vosges)
