Alsace Flashcards
(46 cards)
- On what sort of land in Alsace is Pinot Blanc grown?
- For what is it widely used?
- Flat, fertile plains
- Sparkling wines
What are 3 less-planted white varieties in Alsace?
- Pinot Blanc
- Auxerrois
- Sylvaner
What is the only black variety permitted in Alsace?
Pinot Noir in a light and fruity style
Why is the less aromatic variety Muscat Ottonel planted more widely than Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains?
It can be relied on to crop more regularly
Which Alsatian variety:
- Intensely aromatic
- Orange blossom, rose, grape
- Light-Medium body
- Low-Medium acidity
- Prone to poor fruit set and rot
Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
Which 2 varieties of Muscat are grown in Alsace?
- Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
- Muscat Ottonel
Which Alsatian variety:
- Rich, full body
- High alcohol
- Medium-high acidity
- Rich texture
- Pronounced intensity
- Fresh and dried fruits
- Honey
Pinot Gris
Which Alsatian variety:
- Pungent aromatic spice
- Lychee, rose, sweet baking spices
- Light pink tinge to skin
- Golden colour
- Full body
- Oily, rich texture
- Low-medium acidity
- High alcohol
Gewürztraminer
Which Alsatian wine:
- Medium-full body
- Dry
- Medium alcohol
- High acidity
- Citrus and stone fruit
- Stone and steel character
- Less floral than in Germany
Riesling
What is the most widely planted Alsatian variety?
Riesling
- In what style are SGN wines always made?
- What varies from bottle to bottle?
- Sweet
- Extent of the influence of noble rot
In what style can VTs be made?
Dry-medium sweet
What has the recent trend towards wines with some sweetness at Grand Cru level presented as a problem?
The fact that Alsace has no official labelling scheme to indicate sweetness so consumers do not know what style they are buying
When does bottling usually occur in Alsace?
The spring after the harvest, when the wine is still fresh
- What do traditional Alsace producers ferment their wines in?
- What effect does this have on the wine?
- What else might be used?
- 100+ year old large oak barrels
- Thick tartrate deposit prevents wood or oxygen having any effect
- Stainless steel temperature controlled tanks
Is MLF permitted to happen in Alsace?
Mostly not, but some producers choose to allow it
Can a blended Alsatian wine be high quality?
Yes, as they can come from Grand Cru sites, but this is very rare indeed
What 2 terms would indicate a blended, inexpensive Alsatian wine?
1) Edelzwicker
2) Gentil
Many Alsace growers have a number of small plots, planted with different varieties.
Why is this a logistical challenge?
(2 points)
The grapes ripen at different times, meaning:
1) The harvest is spread from September to November or even beginning of December for VT or SGN wines
2) It is labour intensive as several rounds of picking are required
- What method of viticulture are practised in Alsace?
- Why is it possible there?
- Organic and biodynamic
- Low disease pressure due to dry and sunny conditions
How are grapes in Alsace grown on:
1) The slopes (3 points)
2) The plain
1) - Vines trained low for radiated heat
- Rows oriented towards the sun
- Hand-harvested
2) Vines trained high to minimise frost risk
What is the soil type of Alsace?
Extremely varied: it has a dramatic geological history, and a clear influence on wine production.
- Where are the lesser vineyards in Alsace?
- What is grown there?
- On the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine
- Grapes for Crémant d’Alsace
Where are the best vineyard sites in Alsace?
Middle of steep slopes with south- and south-east aspects
