France-Alsace Flashcards
When were most vineyards of Alsace planted?
1945 after WWII
What stylistic shift of winemaking happened in Alsace after WWII?
marked stylistic shift between French/German winemaking styles
French began fermenting to dry
Name major eras and corresponding ownership of Alsace throughout history
- Middle Ages: Province of Germanic Holy Roman Empire
- 30 Yrs War (1618-1648): French seized it to shut out Spanish Habsburgs
- Franco-Prussian War (1871): Germany
- WWI: France reclaims
- WWII: German occupancy, but remains French
When did Alsace gain AOC status? Significance?
1962
last major region to do so
What are primary languages of Alsace?
French
German
Alsacien (distinct from either)
Which région is Alsace in? Along with which others?
Grande Est Région w/ Lorraine and Champagne as of 2016
What are major geo features of Alsace?
Vosges Mtns
Rhine River
Where are Vosges Mtns in Alsace?
W of Region, separating it from the rest of France
Where is Rhine river in Alsace?
E, forms border w/ Germany
What is the capital of Alsace?
Strausbourg
Where do the best vineyards of Alsace sit?
thin band along lower slopes of Vosges w/ S, SE, or (warmest) E exposures
What is the climate of Alsace?
semi-continental
driest and sunniest in FR
the vines of Alsace ripen w/ more regularity than what other 2 major regions of FR?
Loire
N Burgundy
Best and worst recent vintages of Alsace?
Best Recent=07-12 (07 Best)
Worst Recent=2014
Best and worst classic vintages of Alsace?
Best Classic=88-90
Worst Classic=1991
What is soil structure of Alsace?
Local pink sandstone=grés de Vosges
- Steeper mtn slopes=schist, granite, volcanic sediments
- Lower slopes=limestone base
- Plains=alluvial clay and gravel
What is gés de Vosges?
local pink sandstone of Alsace
how are varietals planted according to soil type in Alsace?
PG/Gewurtz best on Marl/Limestone (lower slopes)
Riesling/Muscat best on volcanic, granite/schist (higher slopes)
What are the départements of Alsace?
Haut-Rhin
Bas-Rhin
how much of Alsace GC is produced in Haut-Rhin?
2/3rds
What is the capital of Haut-Rhin? Unique about climate?
Colmar
driest city in FR
how much of Alsace production is White?
90%