Alsace

Question 1

What is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 1

Cool to moderate continental
The driest and sunniest climate in France’s wine region

Question 2

What is the name of the mountain range on Alsace’s western boundary that creates a rainshadow effect?

Answer 2

Vosges Mountains

Northerly part of the vineyards has the coolest climate and the least protection from the Vosges.

Question 3

Climate issue in Alsance

Answer 3

Drought

Question 4

The top vineyards and lesser vineyards of Alsace
Location

Answer 4

Top quality vineyards
・Steepest slopes with east and south-east aspects.

Lesser vineyards
・Lie on the plains between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine.

Question 5

The grapes from the lesser vineyards are used for the production of ___.

Answer 5

Crémant d’Alsace
The local AC sparkling wine.

Question 6

Vines planted on the slopes:

Machine or hand harvested?
Trained high or low to the ground?

Answer 6

・Hand harvested
・Trained low to the ground to take advantage of heat radiating off the ground and rows are oriented to maximize the vine’s exposure.

Question 7

Vines planted on the alluvial plains:

Trained high above or low to the ground?

Answer 7

・Trained high above the ground to mitigate sprint frost.

Question 8

Vine disease pressure in Alsace

What viticultural practices are widely used?

Answer 8

Dry and Sunny
= Vine disease pressure is low
= Organic and biodynamic farming/viticulture.

Question 9

Harvest in Alsace usually starts when and ends when?

Answer 9

The end of August (for sparkling wine) and run through November, or even beginning of December for VT and SGN wines.

Question 10

What are the noble grapes of Alsace?

Answer 10

Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewurztraminer
Muscat

These 4 grape varietals are the only ones allowed to go into Grand Cru, VT and SGN wines.

Question 11

Most wines in Alsace are bottled as:

single varietals
blends

Answer 11

Single varietals

Question 12

What are the two terms used in Alsace on bottles of inexpensive white blends?

Answer 12

Edelzwicker
Gentil

Question 13

What is the fermentation vessel used by traditional wine producers in Alsace?

Answer 13

Large, old oak barrels

These old barrels have a thick layer of tartrate crystal deposits inside of them, preventing the wood from imparting any influence on the wine.

Question 14

In Alsace, modern producers won’t use the traditional, large, old oak barrels. They’ll use this type of fermentation vessel.

Answer 14

Stainless steel tanks, making it easier to control fermentation temperatures.

Question 15

Malolactic fermentation (MLF) in Alsace

Answer 15

In Alsace, malolactic fermentation (MLF) usually blocked for most aromatic white grapes.

Because the softening effects of MLF and buttery aromas would stunt and mask the purity of fruit flavors in these aromatic varietals.

Question 16

When does the bottling usually take place?
Aging potential

Answer 16

In the spring following the vintage, while the wine is young and fresh.

Most wines are then ready to drink, but many are capable of of further evolution in the bottle.

Question 17

Generally speaking, what are the most common styles of wine made in Alsace?

Answer 17

Predominantly white wines made from aromatic or semi-aromatic grapes in dry, off-dry, and sweet styles.

Question 18

What are the 2 principal appellations for still wines in Alsace?

Answer 18

Alsace AOP
・Vast majority of all wine produced in Alsace falls under this AOP

Alsace Grand Cru AOP
・There are over 50 Grand Cru vineyards in Alsace that each have theor own grand cru appellation.
・An Alsace Grand Cru label must has the name of the vineyard, the vintage and the grape variety.
・To be Alsace Grand Cru the grape must be one of the 4 noble grape varietals.

Question 19

What are 2 classifications that can be used by Alsace AOP and Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines?

Answer 19

Vendanges Tardives
Sélection de Grains Nobles

Question 20

Define and Explain:

Vendange Tardive (VT)

Answer 20

Vendange Tardive (VT): “Late Harvest”

・Made only from the four noble varieties.
・May be dry to medium-sweet, and producer not required to indicate sweetness level on label
・Must have specific minimum sugar ripeness depending on grape variety.
・Grapes for the best wines will have undergone passerillage;
・May or may not show Botrytis;
VT may be printed on either Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Cru AOP labels.

Question 21

Define and Explain:

Sélection de Grains Nobles

Answer 21

Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN): “Selection of Nobly Rotten Grapes”

・Made only from one of the four noble varieties
・Made only in excellent vintages and only in small quantities
・Always sweet
・Must meet minimum sugar ripeness depending on grape varietal (Higher than those for VT)
・Usually achieved with noble rot

Question 22

Alsatian Riesling
2,3,4,6,7

Answer 22

2 Dry (Many are now being made with some residual sugar)
3 Medium to full bodied
4 High acidity
6 Medium alcohol
7 Citrus, stone fruit with stony, often with stony/steely character.

Question 23

Generally speaking, are Alsatian Rieslings drier or sweeter than their German counterparts?

Answer 23

Generally, Alsatian Rieslings are:

・drier
・less floral
・richer & fuller in body
​than German Rieslings.

Question 24

Alsatian Gewurztraminer
1,3,4,6,7

Answer 24

1 Rich oily texture. Some have golden colour
3 Full bodied
4 Low to medium acidity
6 High alcohol (Wines of14% abv are not uncommon)
7 Aromatic spicy nose, reminiscent of lychees, roses and sweet baking spices

Question 25

Gewurztraminer colour of skin

Answer 25

Light pink skins

Question 26

Alsatian Pinot Gris
1,3,4,6,7

Answer 26

1 Richly textured
3 Full bodied
4 More acidity than Gewurztraminer
6 High in alcohol
7 Pronounced flavour intensity with fresh and dried fruits and honeyed character.
However, less aromatic than Gewurztraminer

Question 27

What are the two Muscat varieties grown in Alsace?

Answer 27

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Ottonel

Question 28

Alsatian Muscat
3,4,7

Answer 28

3 Light-Medium body
4 Low to medium acidity
7 Orange bloom, rose and grape

Question 29

Difference between Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat Ottonel

Answer 29

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
・More aromatic but prone to poor fruit set and rot

Muscat Ottonel
・Less aromatic but more reliable

Question 30

Name white grapes planted in Alsace other than the noble grape varieties.

Answer 30

Pinot Blanc (Often used for sparkling)
Auxerrois
Sylvaner

Question 31

Pinot blanc tend to be grown in __.

Answer 31

More fertile soils of the plain

Question 32

In Alsace, if a grape name is on the label, what percentage of that grape must be in the bottle?

Answer 32

If the name of a grape is on the label in Alsace, 100% of that grape must be in the bottle.

There is one exception: Pinot Blanc. It is often blended with Auxerrois even though they are different grapes. Additionally, Auxerrois may carry the title of Pinot Blanc on a label even if it is bottled as 100% Auxerrois.