Alsace Flashcards
Learn the local geography, topography, and climate, along with appellation hierarchy, major grapes and vinification methods for this iconic region.
What are the 4 noble white grapes in Alsace?
- Riesling
- Gewurztraminer
- Muscat
- Pinot Gris
What are the 2 natural borders of Alsace?
- Eastern border: Rhine River
- Western border: Vosges Mountains
Alsace has been both French and _____.
German
Where is Alsace geographically located in France?
Northeast France, bordering Germany
The Vosges Mountains create a _____ in Alsace, protecting the region from nasty, wet weather.
Rain shadow
Alsace is split into 2 départements, the ____-Rhin in the north and the ____-Rhin in the south.
North: Bas-Rhin
South: Haut-Rhin
Differences between the Bas-Rhin and the Haut-Rhin include:
Bas-Rhin
- lower elevation
- not as protected by the Vosges, so fewer good vineyards
Haut-Rhin
- higher elevation
- more protection by the Vosges, so the best vineyards
What is the climate of Alsace?
Cool continental
Climatically, Alsace is one of the _____est and _____est regions in France.
Why?
Sunniest and driest due to the rain shadow caused by the Vosges Mountains.
Are Alsace’s vineyards planted on the flat banks of the Rhine River or on the hillsides of the Vosges Mountains?
Hillsides of the Vosges Mountains
What are the soils of Alsace?
Incredibly varied and layered, kind of like a Dagwood sandwich.
Soils include:
- volcanic
- clay
- granite
- gneiss
- marl
- limestone
- sandstone
- schist
Besides Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, what other 2 white grapes grow in Alsace?
- Pinot Blanc
- Sylvaner
What is the 1 red grape allowed in Alsace?
Pinot Noir
What is the growing season like in Alsace, and what causes it?
Long, dry, sunny and temperate caused by the rain shadow by the Vosges Mountains.
Where are the best vineyards in Alsace planted?
In the Haut-Rhin on lower slopes facing east/southeast.
What effects on climate and viticulture does a rain shadow cause?
- Dry climate
- Sunny climate (tho not necessarily a warmer one)
- Longer growing season
- Riper grapes
- Higher potential alcohol
- Richer, fuller bodied wines
In Alsace, the majority of winemakers use:
- 100% brand new oak barrels
- neutral barrels bearing little-to-no oak aromas
- amphorae only
Neutral barrels bearing little-to-no oak aromas.
In Alsace, winemakers are allowed to put the name of the _____ on the label.
Grape
If an Alsatian winemaker puts the name of a grape on the wine label, how much of the stated grape variety must be in the wine?
100%
What are the 3 AOPs of Alsace?
- Alsace/Vin d’Alsace AOP
- Alsace Grand Cru AOP
- Crémant d’Alsace AOP
What is the name of the traditional bottle in which all Alsace AOP wines must be bottled?
Flûte d’Alsace
Which AOP in Alsace covers the entire region?
Alsace/Vin d’Alsace AOP
How many Grand Cru vineyards are there in Alsace?
51
Each Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace is its own _____.
AOP
Fun Fact: each Grand Cru in Alsace was deemed its own AOP in 2011
What are the 4 grapes allowed to be planted in Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards?
- Riesling
- Muscat
- Pinot Gris
- Gewurztraminer
The ‘noble’ varieties!
Crémant d’Alsace is usually a blend of grapes or made from a single varietal?
Blend of grapes
What are the 2 terms Alsace uses for late harvested wines?
- Vendange Tardive (VT)
- Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
What is the difference between VT and SGN from a botrytis perspective?
- VTs may be affected by botrytis
- SGNs are always affected by botrytis
Within Alsace AOC, what is allowed to be added to the label?
Hint: it’s 2 things
- the name of one of 13 communes, e.g. Bergheim;
- or a lieu-dit.
What is a lieu-dit?
It is a French term referring to a specific part of a vineyard recognized for its own topographic or historical specificities
