OW - FR - Alsace, Jura and Savoie Flashcards
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
When did Alsace receive AOC status?
1962
Last major French winemaking region to do so
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
What are the two departments of Alsace AOP?
Haut-Rhin
Bas-Rhin
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
Where are the best wines generally from in Alsace AOP?
The Haut-Rhin - 2/3 of the Grand Crus are located there
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
What is the significance of the Vosges Mountains?
Provide a rain shadow effect for Alsace, ensuring a dry, sunny climate.
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
What is the climate in Alsace AOP?
Semi-continental with little rainfall
Generous sunshine ensures grapes ripen with more with more regularity than Loire or Burgundy
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
Where are the vineyards located in Alsace AOP?
At the foothills and lower slopes of the Vosges with southern, southeastern or warm exposure
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
What is the soil like in Alsace AOP?
Mix of chalk, loess and local pink sandstone (gres de Vosges)
Steeper slopes have schist, granite and volcanic sediment
Lower slopes have limestone base
Plains have richer alluvial clay and gravel
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
What percentage of Alsace AOP’s production is white?
90%
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
What are the noble grapes of Alsace AOP?
Riesling Pinot Gris Gewurztraminer Sylvaner (Zotzenberg) Muscat (Muscat Blanc/Rose a Petit Grans, Muscat Ottonel)
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
Besides the noble varieties, what are the allowed varieties in Alsace AOP?
Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Chasselas (Gutedel)
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
What is the exception to the rule that all wine bottled in Alsace AOP must have 100% of the varietal?
Pinot Blanc which is often blended with Auxerrois
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
What can be in a wine labeled Pinot” from Alsace AOP?”
Pinot Noir
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Auxerrois
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
What are the characteristics of Alsatian Riesling?
Dry, more powerful and higher in alcohol
Among most long lived dry whites in the world due to acidity in minerality
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
Must Alsatian Riesling be dry?
Yes, the standard Riesling must be dry according to a 2008 law.
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
What are the former names for Pinot Gris in Alsace AOP?
Tokay d’Alsace
Tokay Pinot Gris
Alsace, Jura and the Savoie
What are the characteristics of Alsatian Pinot Gris?
Full, rich with spicy-smoky qualities and good acidity