Alsace Flashcards
(31 cards)
Where is Alsace located?
In the East of France near the Germany Boarder
The northest point of Alsace is close to Strasbourg
On the East of the Vosges Mountains
What is the climate of Alsace ?
Cool to moderate continental climate
Explain the factors that are influencing climate in the vineyards of Alsace
Vosges Mountains shelter the vineyards from the prevailing westerly, rain bearing winds
Lack of clouds results in sunny summers and dry atumns
Some vineyards are planted on slopes and oriented to maximize sun exposure
The grapes can achieve high levels of sugar ripeness, although in the driest year drought can be an issue
What are the climatic hazards of Alsace?
Risk of Drought in the driest years
Risk of Spring frost on the plain area
What make Alsace unusual for a french region?
Most of its wines are varietally labelled
What styles of wine can you find in Alsace ?
Focused on armoatic white grape varieites made in dry, off-dry and sweet styles
Some red wine si also made
Describe the location of the different vineyards qualities in Alsace
Best vineyards: Located on the steepest slopes with east and south-east aspect.
the northerly part of the vineyard has the coolest climate and the least protection from the Vosges
Lesser vineyards: lie on the plain between the Vosges Foothill and the Rhine. The grapes are often used for Crémant d’Alsace
Where are located the vineyards for Crémant d’Alsace ?
In the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine
Describe the soils of Alsace
Great variety of soils in the vineyards that lie on the foothills of the Vosges
the goelogical complexity of soils contributes to the variety of styles of wines produced and is more clear than in many other regions
Describe the grapegrowing practices in Alsace
Slopes
- vines are trained low to benefit from radiated heat
- rows are oriented to maximise the vines exposure to the sun
- Harvesting is done by hand
Plain
- Trained high to minimise the risk of spring frosts
- organic and biodynamic viticulture is widely pratised , due to te low disease pressure in the sunny, dry conditions
Growers have a number of small plots, with different varieties, that ripen at different times. The harvest may be spread over a long period. From August for sparkling wine, to en of november or early december for VT and SGN wines.
What are the principal Asaltian appellations?
Alsace
Alsace Grand Cru
Both of them can apply these terms depending on the sugar ripeness:
**Vendanges Tardives (VT)
Sélection de grains nobles (SGN) **
What are two additionnal label terms that producers use to distinguish their wines ?
Réserve personnelle
Cuvée spéciale
These have no legal status
Describe the Alsace Appellation
- Account for the vast majority of the region’s production
- Most wine are made from a single grape variety and are varietally labelled
- If it is labelled 100% must come from a single variety.
- Small number of blends are also made
- Some villages have the right to add their name to this appelation for certain styles of wine, but it is rare
Describe Alsace Grand Cru appellation
- over 50 vineyards that have their own grand cru
- Must be produced from a single noble grape variety but a few exceptions do exist
- Label must state the name of the vineyard, the vintage and the grape variety
Many grands crus are considered by some top porducers to be far too large and encompass land not worthy. Som choose not to label their wines as grand cru.
Describe Vendanges Tardives (VT) appellation
Can only be made from on of the four noble varieties
Must have a minimum sugar ripeness depending on grape variety
The best wines will have undergone passerillage and may have some noble rot
Wines are vary from dry to medium sweet
Describe Sélection de grains nobles (SGN) appellation
Can only be made from one of the four noble varieties
Must have a minimum sugar ripeness depending on variety, higher than those for VT
Are usually achieved with noble rot
Not produced every year and only in small quantities
Wines are SWEET
What are the four noble grape varieties of Alsace ?
Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris
Is the majority of Alsace wines blended or single varietal ?
Single Varietal
What is the quality of Alsace blended wines and how are they called ?
Blended wines tend to be inexpensive and made from juice not selected for varietal wines
Called Gentil or Edelzwicker
Some high-quality blends also exists , including grand cru, but very rare.
On what Alsace winemaking is focused ?
To retain the aromas and flavours of aromatic grapes
What is the traditional winemaking techniques used for Alsace wines?
- Fermenting wines in large old oak barrels, moften more than 100 year old.
- Thick layer of tartrate deposit , which prevent the wood from having any influence on the wine
What is the modern winemaking technique used for Alsace wines ?
- Use of stainless steel vats - facilitating control of temperatures and the time of fermentation
- Malolactif fermentation is often not encouraged, to keep the pure aromatic flavours
- Bottling usually takes place in the spring following the vintage, while the wine is young and fresh.
- Most wines are ready to drink, but many are capable of evolution in the bottle
Describe the sweetness in wines of Alsace
Traditionnally dry, but in recent years, more and more wines at grand cru level are made with noticeable sugar.
VT wines can vary from dry to medium-sweet
SGN are sweet wines
Since 2021, all producers must indicate thhe level of sweetness of their wine. The terms are standardied by EU regulations:
sec, demi-sec, moelleux and doux.
Describe Alsace Riesling
Most widely planted of the noble varieties
Medium to full bodied
dry with medium alcohol, high acidity,
citrus and stone fruit aromas, with stony/steely character
Some are made with residual sugar
