Grapes and wines of Alsace

Question 1

Describe the climate of Alsace and key features affecting weather and grape growing

Answer 1

Cool to moderate continental climate
Vosges Mountains shelter vineyards from prevailing westerly, rain-bearing winds. Lack of clouds results in sunny summers and dry autumns.
Sunny Summers and dry autumns ensure grapes achieve high levels of sugar ripeness.
Drought can be an issue.

Question 2

Describe the locations and quality of the best vineyards, and the soil characteristics of Alsace

Answer 2

Best vineyards on steepest slopes with east and south-east aspects
Most northerly part of vineyards have coolest climate, with least protection from Vosges.
Lesser vineyards lie on plain between Vosges foothills and Rhine.
Soil types vary widely due to dramatic geological history. This has a clear influence on the variety of styles produced

Question 3

Where are grapes predominantly grown for the production of Crémant d’Alsace?

Answer 3

On the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine

Question 4

Describe typical grape growing practices of Alsace

Answer 4

Wide variation depending on location of vineyards (plain or slopes)
Slopes: trained low to benefit from radiated heat, rows are oriented to maximise vine’s exposure to the sun. Hand harvesting
Plain: trained high to minimise risk of spring frosts
Organic and biodynamic viticulture is widely practiced because of low disease risk in sunny dry conditions

Question 5

What is unique about the harvest of Alsace?

Answer 5

Growers face a challenge of harvesting a number of small plots of vines planted with different varieties which all ripen at different times.
This means the harvest can extend over a long period: starting from the middle of September and through till the end of November or even the beginning of December for VT and SGN wines

Question 6

Describe the Alsace appellation hierarchy and classifications

Answer 6

Alsace: usually single varietal with label (must be 100%). Small number of blends.
Alsace Grand Cru: >50 vineyards, HAVE to be of a single noble grape variety (some exceptions…). Label states name of vineyard, vintage, grape variety

Classifications:
Vendanges Tardives (VT): only one of noble varieties, specified minimum sugar ripeness (depending on variety). Can have passerillage or some noble rot.
Sélection de grains nobles (SGN): only one of noble varieties, specified minimum sugar ripeness (depending on variety) - higher than VT and usually achieved via noble rot. Not produced every year, very small quantities.

Non-legal classifications:
Réserve personnelle
Cuvée spéciale

Question 7

List the noble varieties

Answer 7

Pinot Gris
Gewurtzraminer
Muscat
Riesling

Question 8

Are Alsatian wines typically single varietal or blended? Give two terms sometimes seen on blended wines.

Answer 8

Usually single varietal. Blends are usually inexpensive and made from juice not selected from varietal wines, and can be labelled Edelzwicker or Gentil.

Question 9

Describe typical winemaking practices of Alsace

Answer 9

As most grapes are aromatic varieties, winemaking is focused around retaining aromas and flavours of grapes.
Traditionally fermented in large oak barrels i.e. foudres which have a thick tartrate deposit preventing any influence on wine.
Modern cellars use stainless steel vats with temperature control for fermentation.
MLF is not usually encouraged as it may mask the pure fruit flavours
Bottling takes place in spring following the vintage while wine is young and fresh - some examples can age in bottle.

Question 10

Explain the ‘sweetness’ issue in Alsace wines

Answer 10

No official requirement to indicate on label for level of sweetness of wine. NOTE VT can even range from dry to sweet, while SGN wines are always sweet with varying extent of noble rot.
It’s best to know the house style of a producer to know what to expect.

Question 11

Describe a good Riesling of Alsace

Answer 11

Medium to full bodied
Dry with medium alcohol (although many now have residual sugar)
High acidity
Citrus and stone fruit aromas often with a pronounced stony/steely character

Question 12

Describe a good Gewurtzraminer of Alsace

Answer 12

Pungent aromatic spicy nose: lychees, roses and sweet baking spices.
Full-bodied, rich oily texture
Low to medium acidity
High alcohol (up to 14% is not uncommon)
Typically golden in colour due to the light pink tinge from the grape skin

Question 13

Describe a good Pinot Gris of Alsace

Answer 13

Rich, full-bodied and high in alcohol
Usually more acidic than Gewurtzraminer
Golden in colour, less aromatic than Gewurtzraminer
Can be richly textured on the palate with pronounced flavour intensity, fresh and dried fruits and honeyed character

Question 14

What types of Muscat exist in Alsace?

Answer 14

Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains (prone to poor fruit set and rot)
Muscal Ottonel (less aromatic, more reliable crop)

Question 15

Describe a good Muscat of Alsace

Answer 15

Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains
Intensely aromatic, flavours of orange blossom, rose, grape
Light to medium body
Low to medium acidity

Question 16

What other varieties exist in Alsace and what characteristics do they have?

Answer 16

Pinot Blanc: sparkling wines (grown on fertile plains), and is generally light, simple and refreshing as a still wine (non-aromatic style)
Auxerrois: similar to Pinot Blanc, slightly spicier and fuller bodied, can be blended with Pinot Blanc
Sylvaner: delicately perfumed wines with some richness (less than Gewurtzraminer), best drunk young
Pinot Noir: only black variety, lacks weight and concentration of Burgundy Pinot Noir, lightly fruity red or rose (some examples of more concentrated wines with new oak flavours exist)

Question 17

What is sparkling wine known as in Alsace? Which varieties and winemaking is used?

Answer 17

Crémant d’Alsace
Aromatic varieties e.g. Muscat and Gewurtzraminer are NOT permitted.
Chardonnay is allowed, alongside other regional non-aromatic varieties.

Traditional method, min. 9 months on lees.