France Alsace and the Lorraine Flashcards
What is the Capital of Alsace - Lorraine?
Strasburg
When was Alsace occupied y Nazi Germany?
1940’s
Thirty year war began and ended when?
1618-1648
Initially a war between various Protestant and Catholic states in the fragmented Holy Roman Empire,
became less about region but more a continuation of the France–Habsburg rivalry for European political pre-eminence.
Alsace established AOC when?
1962
What are two départements?
Bas Rhin and Haut Rhin
Over two-thirds of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in which département?
Haut
What city is the driest in France?
The Capital Colmar in Haut Department
Alsace Explain
Vosges Mountains- west also known as Haardt Hills offer Rain Shadow effect
Semi continental climate
geologic mosaic
steeper mountain slopes = schist, granite and volcanic sediment.
Lower slopes sit on a limestone base
Plain at the base of the mountains consists of richer alluvial clay and gravel soils
local pink sandstone is known locally as what in Alsace?
grés de Vosges
What are the four “noble” grapes of Alsace
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat and Gewurztraminer
What clones of Muscat can exist in the Noble classification?
(either Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains or Muscat Ottonel),
The region’s main appellation—Alsace AOP, or Vin d’Alsace AOP allows what other grans other than the 4 Nobles to be bottled varietally?
Pinot Blanc (Klevner), Chasselas (Gutedel), Sylvaner, and Pinot Noir
Alsace AOP wines must contain 100% of the printed grape other than what exception?
Pinot Blanc may be blended with Auxerrois
Alsace most planted single variety?
Riesling (Although together Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois collectively hold the largest volume of appellation production).
Alsace Riesling descriptions
Alsatian Rieslings are characteristically dry, more powerful, and higher in alcohol
pronounced acidity and minerality. With sweetness creeping steadily upward in recent years, Alsatian AOP law mandates, from 2008 forward, that standard Riesling wines must be dry in style.
No new oak
Alsace Pinot Gris descriptions
Pinot Gris, formerly called Tokay d’Alsace or Tokay Pinot Gris, is perhaps Alsace’s quintessential wine: the grape here achieves its fullest, richest expression, with spicy-smoky qualities and a frame solid–though hardly high– acidity.
No new oak
Savagnin is known locally in Alsace as ?
Klevener
5 communes may bottle this wine varietally under the existing Alsace AOP: Heiligenstein itself, Bourgheim, Gertwiller, Goxwiller, and Obernai.
What wine?
Savagnin Rose, or Klevener de Heiligenstein