WINES OF THE WORLD 🇫🇷 France - Alsace Flashcards
Climate of Alsace
Continental climate. Warm, dry and sunny days. Rainfall from westerly winds, but protection by the Vosges Mountains and so just 600 mm. Föhn wind has a drying influence. High diurnal range.
Key elements in the topography of Alsace
Vosges mountains to the west that provide protection from rain and winds. The best vineyards are at 200-250 m (up to 450 m) with S, SE and SW aspects. Lesser quality vineyards are between foothills and Rhine river.
Type of soils in Alsace
Soils on the hillside have lower fertility and better draining, while those on the plain are deep and more fertile.
Hazards in Alsace
Summer drought (no irrigation). Rainfall can be during flowering, fruit set and harvest. Powdery and downy mildew, the grape vine moth, and esca.
Main grape varieties of Alsace
Riesling, Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sylvaner, Muscat.
Noble grape varieties in Alsace
Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat.
Main appellations within Alsace
- Alsace AOC
- Alsace AOC + commune
- Alsace AOC + lieu-dit
- Alsace grand cru (only for noble varieties)
Main training systems in Alsace
Single or double Guyot. Higher training (1-1.2 m) to reduce the spring frost and humidity risk, higher canopies (up to 1.9 m) to maximise the exposure, larger space between rows to avoid shading. Typical planting density is 4,400-4,800 vines/ha. Terraces on the steepest slopes.
Key winemaking operations for Alsace wines
Chaptalisation in cool years (EU rules). Pre-fermentation skin contact or keep the grapes in the press for a long time to extract aromas and improve the texture. Cool fermentation temperatures for Muscat, Riesling, and Sylvaner, while Gewurztraminer stays at mid-temperatures (high alcohol and no banana aromas). Many cellars are naturally cool, otherwise temperature control. Inert fermentation vessels (large old oak or stainless steel tanks). Ambient yeasts are used by smaller and high-quality producers (terroir-expressive wine). No malo for white grape varieties.
Harvest for wines from Alsace
Long harvest (early September - late October). Grand cru vineyards are picked by hand, according to AOC regulations.
Key maturation practices in Alsace
Ageing in the same large neutral containers on fine lees (freshness), without lees stirring (primary fruit aromas)
Types of wines made in Alsace
90% white wines from single grape varieties and unoaked style. Slightly reduction of still wines in favour of Cremant d’Alsace increase. High number of bottlings having several styles from single grape variety (20-35 for med- to large wineries), this gives a general image of Alsace and the individual producer.
Types of businesses that operate in Alsace
Small scale production. Avg size of holdings is under 3.5 ha. Many growers sell to co-operatives or larger wineries. Significant producers are Hugel, Trimbach, and Zind-Humbrect. Cave de Turckheim as co-operative.
How the Vosges mountain help to protect the vineyards of Alsace
The Vosges mountains are situated to the west of the vineyards and this creates a rain shadow and protection from the dominant westerly winds and clouds. Most rain falls to the west of the mountains and the vineyards are drier, warmer and more protected than land outside the shadow of the Vosges mountains. The Alsace vineyards have higher temperatures and more sunshine hours making this a unique climate at this latitude.
Why Alsace’s landscape is often described as a ‘mosaic of terroirs’
The soils are varied with the higher, steeper slopes having thin topsoil which promotes slower growth, better drainage for the roots and ultimately a more balanced vine producing high-quality grapes. On the plains nearer the river Rhine, the soils are more fertile which results in high vigour vines that produce higher yields of lesser quality fruit.
