Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

Climate of Alsace?

A

Warm, sunny, dry
Vosges mountains
Moderate rainfall
Irrigation not permitted
High sunshine
Fohn wind (warm, drying)

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2
Q

Current plantings of Alsace?

A

Still wines decreasing
Sparkling increasing

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3
Q

Soil/slopes of Alsace?

A

S/SW/SE slopes
High altitude for quality
Deep/fertile in plains, lower fertility on slopes

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4
Q

Riesling in Alsace?

A

Cold-hardy
Late-budding
Needs full sun exposure, good drainage, long growing season
Good disease resistance

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5
Q

Riesling tasting note?

A

Dry
H acid
M/F body
M alc
Lemon, grapefruit, peach, stone

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6
Q

Gewurztraminer in Alsace?

A

Early budding
Early ripening (picked late)
Vigorous - moderate productivity (coulure)
Prone to chlorosis, desiccation of stems, powdery mildew, grape vine moth, grey rot

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7
Q

Gewurztraminer tasting note?

A

Pronounced intensity
Lychee, peach/apricot, rose, spice
M/H alc
M/F body
L acid
Dry -> sweet

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8
Q

Describe Auxerrois?

A

Early ripening
Low aromatics
Can be labeled Pinot Blanc

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9
Q

Auxerrois tasting note?

A

Low intensity
Apple/peach
M acid
M alc

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10
Q

Describe Pinot Gris?

A

Early budding
Early ripening
Moderate yields
Susceptible to botrytis and downy mildew
Rapid increase of sugar levels/acid decrease

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11
Q

Pinot Gris tasting note?

A

Shift to drier style
M/H alc
Med int
Peach/apple
F body
M acid
Rich, oily texture
Honey/smoke with age

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12
Q

Describe Sylvaner?

A

Declining
Old vines on slopes
Pinot Gris/Blanc are taking over - easier to grow

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13
Q

Muscat in Alsace?

A

Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains and Muscat Ottonel
Ottonel is later ripening and good to avoid autumn rains

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14
Q

Vineyard management in Alsace?

A

Single or double gGuyot
High training - 1/1.2m off ground
Canopies higher - sun exposure
Grand Cru picked by hand
More organic than average in France3e
Powdery/Downy mildew, grape vine moth, esca

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15
Q

Winemaking in Alsace?

A

Cool fermentation (except Gewurz - mid-range due to higher alc)
Pre-fermentation skin contact or extended pressing sometimes used for more flavor/texture
Lees but no stirring
MLF avoided
Little new oak
Sweetness scale added to labels from 2021 vintage

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16
Q

Laws in Alsace AOC?

A

Chaptalisation legal within limits
High yields, different for each varietal

17
Q

Describe Grand Cru?

A

Introduced in 1975
Single varietal wines from 4 noble grapes
Moderate yields
Ex. - Rangen, Schoenenbourg
All 51 grand cru vineyards have become an individual grand cru - each have their own rules

18
Q

Describe Vendange Tardive?

A

Noble varietals only
Dry or sweet
No botrytis requirement
Mus/Ries - Min sugar 235g/L
PG/Gew - Min sugar 257g/L

19
Q

Describe Selection de Grains Nobles?

A

Noble varietals only
Sweet
Botrytis fruit
Mus/Ries - Min sugar 276g/L
PG/Gew - Min sugar 306g/L

20
Q

Wine business in Alsace?

A

Over 40% Co-Op
25% export
Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, North America
Flute bottle only