Alsace

Question 1

What is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 1

Cool to moderate continental

Question 2

What are the benefits of the Vosges Mountains for vintners in Alsace?

Answer 2

• Provide shelter from prevailing westerly, rain-bearing winds
• Keep away clouds, allowing for sunny summers and dry autumns

Question 3

What are the noble varieties of Alsace? What can these grapes be used for that other varieties cannot?

Answer 3

• Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat

- VT, SGN, and Grand Cru wines

Question 4

Describe Vendanges Tardives (VT) wines

Answer 4

• It means “late harvest.”
• Must have a minimum sugar ripeness
• Best wines made from grapes that have undergone passerillage and have some influence from noble rot

Question 5

What is Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN)?

Answer 5

• Sweet wine from Alsace
• Minimum sugar ripeness higher than VT wines
• Usually requires noble rot
• Not produced every year
• Always small quantities

Question 6

What is the most widely planted noble variety in Alsace?

Answer 6

Riesling

Question 7

Describe Alsatian Riesling

Answer 7

• Medium - to full body
• Dry
• Medium alcohol
• High acid
• Citrus / stone fruit aromas, with a pronounced stony character
• Not as floral as German rieslings

Question 8

Describe Alsatian Gewurztraminer

Answer 8

• Spicy nose of lychees / roses / sweet baking spices
• Golden color due to light pink skins
• Full bodied, with rich and oily texture
• Medium acid
• High alcohol (14% is not uncommon)

Question 9

Describe Alsatian Pinot Gris

Answer 9

• Rich, with full body and high alcohol
• Less aromatic
• Notes of dried fruit and a honeyed character

Question 10

Describe Alsatian Muscat

Answer 10

• The best are Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
• Intensely aromatic
• Flavors of orange blossom, rose, and grape
• Light to medium body
• Low to medium acid
• Muscat Ottonel is also planted, but it is less aromatic

Question 11

What are some of the “non-noble” varieties of Alsace and give a brief definition of each?

Answer 11

• Pinot Blanc: widely planted, light, simple, refreshing
• Auxerrois: similar to Pinot Blanc, slightly spicier
• Sylvaner: losing plantings, delicately perfumed, some richness (less than Gewürztraminer)
• Pinot Noir: only black grape permitted in Alsace, made in a light and fruity style