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FWS > Unit 2 - Alsace > Flashcards

Unit 2 - Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

Name the three key historical events leading to Alsace switching hands between France and Germany

A

1) France annexes Alsace at the end of the 17th c. after the 30 years war
2) Germany reclaims France at the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871
3) Alsace returned to France at the end of WWI 1918
4) Alsace occupied by Germany during WWII
5) Alsace returned to France in 1945

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2
Q

In what ways are wines of Alsace an amalgamation of German wine?

A

1) Flute bottle
2) Labelled after variety rather than place
3) Shared grape varieties

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3
Q

Describe the dimensions of Alsace region

A

Runs north to south (between 47th and 49th parallel north) as a slender strip of land 120km (75 miles) long, around 5.8km (3 miles) width. Not all under vine.
Zone of production encompasses 53,000 acres/21,200 ha

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4
Q

What climate is Alsace?

A

Continental: hot summers, cold winters.

Some annual variations on summers (not consistently hot and sunny)

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5
Q

What moderating factors are important in Alsace?

A

Seasonal and diurnal temperature swings.
Les Vosges forms rain shadow for Alsace from Atlantic influences (which brings rain clouds via west winds) = some of the lowest rainfall in France (15.5-19.5 in/394-495mm per year). Instead, Alsace receives 1,800h of sunshine per year.

NOTE weather patterns can vary a lot across the area too.

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6
Q

Where are vineyards mostly planted?

A

On slopes of the Vosges foothills @ altitudes 660-1,320 ft/198-396m, facing south/southeast

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7
Q

What is the overall effect on high annual sunshine of Alsace coupled with its northerly location?

A

The sunshine helps to ripen grapes while the cooling effects make them ripen slowly with more complex aromatics

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8
Q

Describe Springtime in Alsace

A

Mild, often accompanied by frosts which can severely decrease potential crop yield

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9
Q

Describe viticultural practice on plains to mitigate frost damage

A

Vines are trained high (allows air flow, also buds grow above where cool air settles closer to the ground)

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10
Q

Describe Summertime in Alsace

A

Warm, dry and sunny. Sporadic thunderstorms and hail, with drought posing a serious problem in some years..

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11
Q

Describe viticultural practices on slopes to mitigate Summers

A

Vines trained slightly closer to the ground to maximise heat and reflected sunlight

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12
Q

Describe Autumn in Alsace

A

Humid - often enabling noble rot to develop. Chances of thunderstorms and hail.

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13
Q

Describe Winter in Alsace

A

Cold. Vines undergo true dormancy - important for some vines e.g. Riesling which needs to undergo true dormancy each winter, otherwise will degenerate.

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14
Q

What is the Rhine graben?

A

A grave-like trench: its vertical uplifts include the wine region of Alsace on one side and Baden on the other.

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15
Q

Give one other example of a famous region that runs along a graben

A

Bourgogne and Jura form the uplifts of the Saône

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16
Q

Describe the Paleozoic Era in Alsace

A

542-251 mil years ago (about 300mil years ago)

Pressure caused huge up thrust of cooling magma which solidified into igneous rock.

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17
Q

Describe the Mesozoic Era in Alsace

A

150 mil years ago
Jurassic transitioned into Cretaceous time division.
Alsace covered by inland sea, and over millennia the igneous rock eroded and was covered by sedimentary deposits.

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18
Q

Describe the First Phase of the Cenozoic Era in Alsace

A

50 mil years ago
Mammals dominate earth. Huge upheaval and buckling of land forms as Afro-Arabian and Euro-Asian crustal plates collide. Great dome of earth rises in Alsace and falls along parallel fault lines.

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19
Q

Describe the Second Phase of the Cenozoic Era in Alsace

A

Western side of graben fractures in multiple places/fault bundles subsequently developing cross faults. These exposed many different soil types from many different geological epochs. Fault blocks eroded and formed Vosges foothills.

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20
Q

Where is the best soil in Alsace?

A

Slopes of Vosges foothills, but rich, deep and fertile soils at base of slopes can produce good wine if it consists of high-caliber slope wash

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21
Q

Describe the key components of the 13 different major soil types in Alsace

A

(alone or in combination) Incorporating volcanic elements, granite, gneiss, schist, sandstone, limestone, marl, sand, loess, and loam

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22
Q

Name all the primary grape varieties (from most widely planted to least widely planted)

A 
Riesling
Pinot Blanc (Pinot Vrai/Klevner)
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Pinot Noir
Sylvaner
Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc 
Muscat Ottonel
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23
Q

Name all the secondary grape varieties (from most widely planted to least widely planted)

A

Chardonnay (only cremant!)
Chasselas
Auxerrois Blanc
Klevener de Heiligenstein

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24
Q

Generally, if a grape variety is listed on the label, the wine must be ___ varietal

A

100%

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25
Q

Describe Gentil wine category

A
  • Blended
  • Min. 50% of a ‘noble’ grape variety (Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer)
  • Can include blend with Sylvaner, Chasselas, Pinot Blanc
  • Separate vinifications
  • Finished wine must undergo tasting panel approval
  • Vintage must appear on label
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26
Q

Describe Edelzwicker wine category

A
  • Blended
  • Includes any of white grapes approved for Alsace AOC
  • Can vinify together or separately
  • Vintage is optional
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27
Q

List all blended wine categories of Alsace

A

Gentil
Edelzwicker
Most Cremants

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28
Q

Describe a wine labelled “Pinot Blanc” or “Klevner”

A

NB Klevner is a synonym for Pinot Blanc

Can be 100% Pinot Blanc or 100% Auxerrois Blanc, or blend of both

29
Q

Describe a wine labelled “Pinot d’Alsace”

A
  • Can contain either of the following: Auxerrois Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir vinified as white wine, Pinot Gris.
  • No mins/max
  • Law allows it to be either 100% of a single variety, but typically is a blend
30
Q

Which producer represents 33% of the Alsace market in the USA?

A

Trimbach

31
Q

On average, how many wines are produced each year?

A

6-8, with larger producers with at least twice as many.

32
Q

Why can so many wines be produced by Alsatian winemakers?

A

7 different primary grapes, many of which are bottled by variety. Also separately bottlings can occur for different terroirs, single vineyards, and sweet wines.

33
Q

What proportion of production does white wine represent in Alsace?

A

90% of all production

34
Q

What laws exist on limiting residual sugar in Alsace wines?

A

As of 2008 vintage, Riesling was given max R.S. of 0.9% (9g/L), which does NOT apply to GC or wines labelled with lieu-dit (nor VT/SGN wines)

35
Q

How are most white wines fermented?

A

In stainless steel or large neutral oak casks (not temperature controlled because cellars are naturally cool).
NO new oak, NO MLF
-Wines meant for ageing undergo long fermentation and occasionally undergo sur lie ageing

36
Q

How is Pinot Noir changing in Alsace?

A

Historically, the northerly location of Alsace meant Pinot Noir struggled to develop pigment well, which was also exacerbated by high yields, hence PN of Alsace being labelled as ‘almost-red’. However, with warmer average temperatures, we are beginning to see deepening pigmentation in reds, coupled with efforts to decrease yields to maximise phenolic maturity thus achieving more saturated colours.

37
Q

Describe laws around production of Crémant d’Alsace

A
  • Hand-picked
  • White varieties must be whole-cluster pressed
  • Rosés are made exclusively from Pinot Noir, can be made via saignée or maceration
  • Wine must age min. 9 months sur lie, and cannot be released less than one year after tirage/bottling
38
Q

Name the sweetness designations of Crémant d’Alsace

A 
Extra Brut: no dosage
Brut: <1.2% RS
Extra Sec (Extra Dry): 1.2-1.7% RS
Sec (Dry): 1.7-3.2% RS
Demi-Sec: 3.2-5% RS
39
Q

What can Crémant d’Alsace be produced from?

A
  • 100% of either Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling
  • Blanc de Noir e.g. 100% Pinot Noir
  • Mostly blends of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Auxerrois, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir
  • NB Gewurztraminer is forbidden
40
Q

What is VT wine?

A

Vendanges Tardives - late harvest made from Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat or Gewurztraminer

  • Not independent AOC, can be categorised as Alsace AOC (including communal or lieu-dit) or Alsace Grand Cru AOC
  • Contain considerable RS
  • Grapes are hand-picked late in the season when berries are over ripe
  • Sometimes affected by noble rot, although not mandatory requirement
  • Fermentation terminates naturally when yeasts die and leave unfermented RS in wine
  • MLF is not encouraged
41
Q

What is SGN wine?

A

Sélections de Grains Nobles - late harvest wines made from Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, or Gewurztraminer affected by noble rot

  • Not independent AOC, can be categorised as Alsace AOC (including communal or lieu-dit) or Alsace Grand Cru AOC
  • grapes are hand-picked by berry through multiple passes in the vineyard
42
Q

Highlight key dates in AOC implementation in Alsace

A
  • Original regional AOC ordinance written in 1945
  • Legislation implemented officially in 1962
  • GC vineyards began to receive AOC status in 1975
  • Crémant d’Alsace given AOC status in 1976
  • in 2011 given two sub-categories: communal and lieux-dit
  • Recently, each of 51 GC’s were given AOC status
43
Q

How many AOC-recognised GC’s are there in total in Alsace?

A

51

44
Q

Are there any IGP wines in Alsace?

A

No

45
Q

Outline rules for Alsace AOC

A
  • Grapes can come from any vineyard in Alsace (although most producers will estate-bottle, co-ops can pull grapes from anywhere)
  • Can be white, red, rosé, dry, sweet, blend, varietal, can have special cuvée on label.
46
Q

Outline rules for Alsace Communal AOC?

A
  • Sub-category, NOT independent AOC
  • Recognises wines of higher character
  • Higher quality standards than for AOC Alsace
  • Can add commune name to label
47
Q

List all 13 Alsace Communal AOC’s

A 
Bergheim
Blienschwiller
Coteaux du Haut Koenigsbourg
Côtes de Rouffach
Côtes de Barr
Klevener de Heiligenstein
Ottrott
Rodern
Scherwiller
St. Hippolyte
Vallée Noble
Val St.-Grégoire
Wolxheim
48
Q

Outline rules for Alsace Lieu-Dit AOC?

A
  • Subcategory, NOT independent AOC
  • Named after specific recognised plots/vineyards
  • Meet stringent production standards i.e. limitations on grape varieties, specified vine density, pruning methods trellissing, higher grape maturity levels at harvest, more restricted yields
  • Higher standard than for communal appellations
49
Q

What is a lieu-dit?

A

A name given to a plot of land or vineyard because of its notable and significant expression of terroir.

50
Q

Describe rules around Alsace GC AOC’s

A
  • Grapes have to have been grown on Grand Cru vineyard
  • Mostly single varietal (exceptions are Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf)
  • Only white wine: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner ONLY for Zotzenberg GC
  • Can be dry or sweet wines
  • NB Grape variety labelling NOT mandatory
  • Special cuvée can appear on label
51
Q

How many AOCs are there in total in Alsace?

A

53

52
Q

Give two notable exceptions of GC blends

A
  • Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim

- Alsace Grand Cru Kaefferkopft

53
Q

Give the rules of Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim wine

A
  • Can be single variety (Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling) or blend
  • IF blend = at least 50% Riesling (max 70%), with min. 10% and max 25% Gewurztraminer and/or Pinot Gris, as well as max 10% Chasselas, Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir ONLY IF vines were planted before 2005
54
Q

Give the rules of Alsace Grand Cru Kaefferkopf wine

A
  • Can be single variety (Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris) or blend
  • IF blend, must contain 60-80% Gewurztraminer, 10-40% Riesling, max. 30% Pinot Gris, Muscat à Petits Grains Rose, Muscat Ottonel - together can’t be more than 10% of blend
55
Q

List max yield for White Alsace AOC

A

4.8 tons/acre (80hl/ha)

56
Q

List max yield for Pinot Noir Rosé Alsace AOC

A

4.5 tons/acre (75hl/ha)

57
Q

List max yield for Pinot Noir Red Alsace AOC

A

3.6 tons/acre (60hl/ha)

58
Q

List max yield for White Alsace Communal AOC

A

4.3 tons/acre (72hl/ha)

59
Q

List max yield for Red Alsace Communal AOC

A

3.6 tons/acre (60hl/ha)

60
Q

List max yield for White Alsace Lieu-Dit AOC

A

4.1 tons/acre (68hl/ha)

61
Q

List max yield for Red Alsace Lieu-Dit AOC

A

3.6 tons/acre (60hl/ha)

62
Q

List max yield for Grand Cry AOC

A

3.3 tons/acre (55hl/ha)

63
Q

List max yield for Crémant AOC

A

4.8 tons/acre (80hl/ha)

64
Q

What is the benefit of growing grass between rows of vines?

A
  • Prevents loss of topsoil from erosion
  • Competes with vines for water and minerals, leading to lower yields
  • Absorbs humidity and minimises threat of fungal disease
65
Q

What is the benefit of using a plow in vineyards?

A

-Encourages vine roots to grow deep into soil, where roots can tap into more minerals this way, and are less susceptible to taking on too much water after rain

66
Q

What is special about harvest time in Alsace?

A

It is never uniform - every site receives different amounts of sunshine, and soils can/cannot reflect light and heat, impacting ripening.
-Lasts for a long time because of many different grape varieties which each have different ripening curves, as well as multitude of wine styles

67
Q

When does harvest occur in Alsace?

A

Sept-Nov

68
Q

When are Alsace wines best drunk?

A
  • Between 6 months to 5y after release
  • Riesling is longest lived, can last decades if properly cellared and loses up-front fruit character, developing subtle notes of pine nut
69
Q

How are Alsace wines best served?

A
  • Young, high acid wines best served chilled
  • Older wines can be best at cellar temperature
  • Higher quality wines should be less chilled

FWS (15 decks)

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