General Alsace Flashcards
What are the top 3 varieties planted in Alsace?
1 Riesling (21.8%) #2 Pinot Blanc (21.2%) #3 Gewurtztraminer (19.2%)
What are the winemaking requirements for Edelzwicker? ‘Gentil’?
Edelzwickermust is cofermented.
Gentil is 50% noble varieties and vinified separately.
*By practice, not regulation.
What varieties are permitted for Cremant d’Alsace?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois
What varieties are permitted for rose Cremant d’Alsace?
100% Pinot Noir
Name 4 main soil types of Alsace.
Granite, Sandstone, Marl, and Limestone
What is gres de Vosges?
local pink sandstone
Which 5 communes may varietally label Klevener?
Heiligenstein, Bourgheim, Gertwiller, Goxwiller, Obernai
What are synonyms for Klevener? Klevner?
Klevener = Savagnin Rose Klevner = Pinot Blanc
Name 3 good vintages in Alsace since 2000.
2000, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2017
What are the two subregions of Alsace?
Bas Rhin (N): lower altitude. richer alluvial clay and gravel Haut Rhin (S): higher altitude / mountainous. schist, granite, and volcanic soils.
Which of the subregions is home to the most grand crus? What %?
Haut Rhin is home to approx 2/3 of the grand crus.
If a variety is on the label in Alsace, what % must be form that variety?
100%
What are the permitted training methods in Alsace?
Only single or double guyot
What is the bottle style in Alsace?
Alsace mandates bottling in the Flute d’Alsace (Rhin bottle).
Which 3 clones of Muscat are permitted for Alsace?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, Muscat Rose a Petits Grains, Muscat Ottonel
Name 3 subzones that require Pinot Noir.
Ottrot, Rodern, and St Hippolyte
What varieties are permitted for Marc d’Alsace?
Only Gewurztraminer.
What percentage of Alsace production is sparkling?
25 percent
What percentage of the total of France’s still white wine production does Alsace account for?
Alsace produces 18% of France’s still white wines!!!
What percentage of Alsace production is white wine?
90% of Alsace AOP production is white
If “Pinot” is on the label, what varieties could be in the wine?
Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Auxerrois
What is VT and SGN and when did these terms become part of regulations?
Vendange Tardive (VT): more about emphasizing varietal purity. May show botrytis. Might be dry or sweet. Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN): not technically required to be sweet, but in practice always is. Always shows botrytis.
What are the required must weights for VT and SGN?
Muscat & Riesling 244 g/L (235 before 2016) VT 276 g/L SGN Pinot Gris & Gewurtz 270 g/L (257 before 2016) VT 306 g/L SGN
