Alsace Flashcards
(34 cards)
Name Alsace’s noble varieties
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Muscat
Where are the Vosges located and what’s their importance?
The Vosges Mountains are located in Alsace. They shelter from westerly rain/winds (rain shadows) –> lack of clouds results in sunny summers and dry autumns (grapes can achieve high level of sugar ripeness and wines will then be fuller bodied).
What’s the location of the best vineyards in Alsace?
The best vineyards are located on the steepest slopes with southern and south-east aspects.
What’s grés de Vosges?
local pink sandstone in Alsace
Types of soil found in Alsace’s steeper slopes?
schist, granite and volcanic sediment
How are inexpensive blends labelled in Alsace?
Edelzwicker
What’s a wine labelled Gentil in Alsace?
A designation for blends (requiring min 50% of noble grapes)
What label is of better quality - Edelzwicker or Gentil?
Gentil
Alsace wine requiring min 50% of noble grapes
Gentil
Is Edelzwicker a single variety wine?
Edelzwicker is typically a blend. Single varietal wines in Alsace have to indicate the varietal
Describe the expected notes of a Riesling from Alsace
Medium to full bodied, Dry, Medium alcohol, High acidity, Citrus/stone fruit, Pronounced steely character LESS flower and FULLER than German Rieslings
On which soil, does Riesling matures better?
Granite
Describe the appellation system in Alsace
Alsace grand crus (51 grand sites )—-> produced from noble grapes only. Min alcohol—> 11% for Riesling and muscat , 12.5% for the other 2
AOC Alsace lieu-dit
AOC Alsace communale
AOC Alsace
Other: SGN / VT and AOC Cremant d’Alsace (key grapes Pinot Blanc, auxerrois, Pinot Gris, etc)
All Alsace Grand Crus are single varietals? True or False?
False - no longer required by law.
The grands crus: Altenberg de Bergheim and
Kaefferkopf may blend according to certain prescribed proportions
What’s VT?
In Alsace Vendages Tardives (VT) –> made of late harvest grapes, min sugar ripeness. Best wines use passerillage (leave some grapes after harvest). May show botrytis character but emphasizes varietal purity.
Mention the Alsace’s late-harvest wines
Vendages Tardives (VT) and Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
What’s Selection de Grains Nobles?
A late-harvest wine in Alsace. Focus on botrytis rather than varietal character.
Only red variety permitted for Alsace AOP wines
Pinot Noir
Best known vineyard towns in Alsace
Riquewihr
Ribeauvillé
What grape that is not a noble grape is allowed in what Grand Cru in Alsace?
Grand Cru Zotzenberg is allowed to contain Sylvaner
Mention three Alsace Grand Crus
Schlossberg
Kaefferkopf (51st GC)
Altenberg de Bergheim
Muscat notes
intensely aromatic, orange blossom, rose. L2M body, L2M acidity
Gewurztraminer notes
Pungent aromatic spicy, lychees, roses and sweet banking spices / Full bodied, Oily texture, L2MA, HA
Name the grape varieties found in Alsace
Noble grapes: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Muscat. Pinot Blanc (Clevner/Klevner) Pinot Noir Chasselas Auxerrois