France - Alsace Flashcards
Name the two Départements of Alsace.
Bas-Rhin (North)
Haut-Rhin (South)
What is the climate of Alsace?
Cool Continental (with long Autumns)
What is the geographic barrier to the west of Alsace?
Vosges Mountains
What types of soil are found on the vineyard slopes?
Granite, limestone, sandstone, volcanic, clay, and loam
What types of soil are found on the plains?
largely Alluvial
What is the main vine training system used?
Double Guyot
What are the noble grapes of Alsace?
Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat
What other varietals are important outside of the nobles grapes?
Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir
Is MLF a common practice in Alsace?
No, with the exception of Pinot Gris
What are the ACs for Alsace?
Crémant d’Alsace AC
Alsace (Vin d’Alsace) AC
Alsace Grand Cru AC
Vendange Tardive (VT) Sélection de Graines Nobles (SGN)
When was the Vin d’Alsace AC created?
1962
What shape of bottle must a Vin d’Alsace be in?
Flûte d’Alsace
When was the Alsace Grand Cru AC created?
1975
How many vineyards are included in the Alsace Grand Cru AC?
51
What are the qualifications to be labeled Grand Cru?
- Must be a single noble varietal
- Max Yields are lower than Vin d’Alsace
- Sugar Ripeness must be higher than Vin d’Alsace
- Label must have:
1. Name of Vineyard
2. Vintage
3. Grape Varietal - Each GC has their own committee to decide quality