Alsace Flashcards
How many AOCs are there in Alsace?
There are 53 in total:
Alsace AOC (including13 DGC and a number of LIEU-DITs)
Alsace Grand Cru - 51 of this classification
Cremant Alsace AOC
What is a DGC within Alsace AOC? How many are there?
A Denomination Geographiques Complementaire (DGC) is a “communal designation”, similar to a”village-level” in Bourgogne. There are 13 in Alsace.
What is a “ Lieu-dit” designation?
A Lieu-dit is a name given to a plot of land or vineyard within a single commune, because of it’s notable and significant expression of terroir. This is normally expressed in it’s traditional, historical name. It is a legally registered “cadastral unit”.
Where can grapes be sourced from for Alsace AOC class of wine? What styles are permitted?
They can come from any vineyard in Alsace. Wines can be white, red, rosé, dry or sweet, blend or varietal, and can be special cuvée, VT or SGN.
How does a DGC/Commune level differ from ALSACE AOC rules?
A DGC is a more restricted zone of production within an AOC. Quality standards are higher :
** varietals planted,vine density, pruning, trellising, grape maturity, yields**
and producers can add the name of the commune to the label. Each commune is authorised to produce specific wine styles from specific varieties.
How does Lieu-dit wines differ from DGC and Alsace AOC class?
They are intended to highlight the terroir characteristics of the wines. Lieu-dits have higher production standards than the others. There are limitations on:
** varietals planted,vine density, pruning, trellising, grape maturity at harvest, yields**
If labelled “lieu-dit” can only be red or white.
What is the “cahier des charges” and what does it contain?
It is a set of regulations which:
* delineates the production zone/s
* specifies viticultural practices and production standards.
Each AOC has one.
What are the main regulations for wines of Alsace Aoc?
- They can be made from any approved grape from within the stipulated zone ie Alsace vineyards
- they can be dry white, rose, red, sweet white.
- they can be single variety or blends.
- they can be VT or SGN.
- if varietal can display on label
- Must be bottled where produced
- must use Flute of Alsace bottle by law.
- rules set on varieties, density, pruning, trellising,maturity at harvest, yields.
Which grape varieties are specified for Alsace AOC wines?
White: (P) Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, (plus (S) Auxerrois and Chasselas)
Rose/Gris: (P) Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris (plus (S) Savagnin Rose/ Klevener de Heliginstein)
Red: Pinot Noir
(P) = Primary (S) = Secondary
What is an Alsace VT wine? Why is MLF not encouraged?
A Vendanges Tardive is a sweet wine made from hand-picked, overripe, late harvested (NOBLE) grapes. It may have some botrytis but this is not mandatory. It has considerable residual sugar (RS). MLF is not encouraged so that acid levels are maintained to balance this RS.
IT CAN ONLY BE CRAFTED FROM THE FOUR NOBLE GRAPES.
What is an Alsace SGN wine?
A Selection de Grain Noble wine is a late-harvest sweet wine made from berries which are hand picked, berry by berry, through multiple passes in the vineyard. Noble Rot is a requirement.
IT CAN ONLY BE CRAFTED FROM THE FOUR NOBLE GRAPES.
What are the four “Noble Grapes” of Alsace?
Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris.
What are the seven focal grape varieties of Alsace?
White: Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner
Rose/Gris: Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer
Red: Pinot Noir
Which are the “Ancillary” grapes of Alsace?
Auxerrois,Chardonnay, Chasselas, Savagnin Rose.
How is sweetness level determined in Alsace SGN and VT wines? What are minimum sugar levels for each.
As in the German tradition, they are measured in the MUST BEFORE fermentation. Sugar level and potential abv must reach prescribed levels at harvest to qualify. They are carefully monitored throughout fermentation to maintain balance in the final wine.
VT: Sugar level: Riesling/Muscat 244g/l - Gewurt./Pinot Gris: 270g/l
SGN: Sugar level: Riesling/Muscat 276g/l - Gewurt./Pinot Gris: 306g/l
Are the other terms found on Alsace labels such as “prestige, reserve, reserve personnelle” regulated terms.
No they are unique to producers and their families of wine. They can be an indicator of quality in that range of wines.
How much of total production does Alsace AOC represent including DGC and Lieu-dit?
Circa 70% (64%,1%,4%)
When was Alsace AOC awarded?
It was awarded in 1945 post WW2 but not implemented until 1962
When was Alsace Grand Cru established.
- It was a single AOC, governed by a single cahier de charges, until 2011 when all of the grand cru vineyards where given an AOC of their own to allow for self-governance.(under auspices of INAO)
How many Grand Cru appellations are there now in Alsace? What % of total production do GC represent?
51 GC sites are recognised for their extraordinary terroirs.
GC represent 6% of total production
What are the permitted grapes for Alsace GC wines? What wine styles are permitted?
Grapes:
White - Riesling, Muscat, Sylvaner
Rose/Gris - Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris
Styles:
Dry white and sweet white. A special cuvee can appear on the label.
Note: this may change to allow Pinot Noir in 3 GC
Whilst Sylvaner is permitted in Alsace Grand Cru how is it restricted?
It is restricted for production in one GC only - Zotzenberg GC. However this GC can also craft wines from PG, Gewrtz, and Riesling.
Are GC vineyards or producers ranked in Alsace?
Vineyards (as in Bourgogne).
What reservations have been expressed about the 2011GC status in Alsace?
Some GC apellations are too large to deliver a signature profile in the glass;
Some of the original, highly regarded terroirs expanded beyond their boundaries as vignerons on the fringe petitioned to be included in GC status - With varying degrees of talent;
Some esteemed producers opted not to put the GC name on their already known brands.eg Clos St Hune
