FWS - Alsace Flashcards
What are the primary grapes in Alsace?
Riesling Pinot Blanc (Pinot Vrai or Klevner) Gewurztraminer Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Sylvaner Muscat à petits grains blanc (high quality, flavour some) Muscat Ottonel (cross between Chasselas and Muscat d’Elisentadt)
When did Alsace reach it pick of prosperity?
Mid-renaissance 16th century. Then under German control.
What is the size of Alsace?
Small strip.
120Km long, 5.8Km wide
21,200ha planted
What is the climate fo Alsace?
Continental climate with high diurnal temperature swing.
What is the yearly amount of rain?
Alsace receive 394/495mm of rain/year.
The west side of the Vosges receive 2,286mm of rain/year in comparison
How many sunshine hours does Alsace received?
1,800 hour of sun a year.
Where are the vineyards of Alsace planted?
They are Planted on the Voges slop facing South / South-East from 198-396m altitude.
Specificity of the spring season in Alsace:
Mild.
Frost are common resulting in reduced crops. on the plain.
High trained vine to avoid frost damage
Specificity of the summer season in Alsace:
Hot and dry with sporadic thunderstorm and hail. drought can be an issues some year.
Vines are trained closer to the ground on the slop to maximise heat and reflected sunlight.
Specificity of the autumn season in Alsace:
Usually humid.
Development of noble rot
Chance of hail and thunderstorms
Specificity of the winter season in Alsace:
Very cold, putting the vine in true dormancy
Where is Alsace geologically located ?
Located on the Upper Rhine Graben, part of the European rift that formed in the cenozoic era (65my to now).
What is the characteristic of the soil in Alsace?
Very divers soils resulting in the diversity of grapes within the region.
Each grapes is planted on the soil best suited to it.
How many soils types? What are the soils?
13 soils type in Alsace:
Volcanic limestone Granite marl gneiss loess Schist sand Sandston loam
What are the secondary grapes in Alsace?
Chardonnay
Chasselas
Auxerrois Blanc (Gouet x Pinot Blanc. very neutral)
Kelvener de Heiligenstein (non-aromatic version of Savagnin Rosé).
What is Kelvener de Heiligenstein?
The non-aromatic version of Savagnin Rosé
What is Edelzwicker wine?
Blend wine made from any grapes allowed in the appellation Alsace AOC
What is a Vin Gentil?
- A wine made of at least 50% of noble grapes.
- The rest is made of Sylvaners, Chasselas, Pinot Blanc
- Must be tasted by a panel before being sold.
What is Klevner?
A wine made either from 100% Pinot Blanc, 100% Auxerrois or blend of the two.
What is a Pinot d’Alsace
A wine made with Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc/Noir/Gris.
How is the Alsace wine industry broken down?
4,000 growers 1,200 producers 900 estates 19 Co-op 73 Négociants
What is the split of red, white and rose production?
90% of the production is white.
The rest os made up of red and rosé.
What are the rules for Crémant d’Alsace?
- Made using the method traditional
- 9 months minium sur-lie.
- Not to be sold within a year after tirage/bottling.
- Mostly made form blend of Pinot blanc, Chardonnay, Auxerrois, Riesling, Pinot Gris - Gewürztraminer is forbidden.
- Some 100% varietal: Chardonnay / Pinot Gris / Riesling
- Rosé are made form Pinot Noir. need to be from saignée.
- Maximum yield of 80hl/ha
What are different styles of Crémant and their sugar level?
Extra Brut = no dosage Brut <12g/l Extra sec <17g/l Sec <32g/l Demi-sec <50g/l
