Alsace

Question 1

What is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 1

Cool to moderate Continental.

Question 2

What mountain range shelter the vineyards?

Answer 2

The Vosage mountains shelter the vineyards from the prevailing westerly, rain-bearing winds. The lack of clouds results in sunny summers and dry autumns, allowing the grapes to achieve high sugar levels. Drought can be an issue.

Question 3

Where are the best vineyards located?

Answer 3

Steepest slopes with east and south-east aspects.

Question 4

Where do the lesser vineyards lie?

Answer 4

The plain between the Vosage foothills and the Rhine.

Question 5

What is the principal wine produced from these vineyards?

Answer 5

Cremant d’Alsace, the local sparkling wine.

Question 6

What geological feature contributes to the variety of styles produced?

Answer 6

The great variety of soils in the foothills.

Question 7

How to growing practices vary between the slopes and the plain?

Answer 7

On slopes, vines are trained low to benefit from radiated heat and the rows are oriented to maximize sun exposure. Harvesting is by hand.
On the plain vines are trained high to minimize frost risk.

Question 8

What types of viticulture is practiced in Alsace and why?

Answer 8

Organic and biodynamic due to the low disease pressure in the sunny, dry conditions

Question 9

What is a key logistical challenge at harvest?

Answer 9

Because of small plots that contain many different varieties harvest may be spread over a long period, starting mid September through the middle of December for VT and SGN wines.

Question 10

What are the main grape varieties grown in Alsace?

Answer 10

Riesling, Gweurztraminer, Pinot Girs, Muscat (the “noble varieties”). Only these varieties can be used for VT, SGN,and grand cru wines.

Question 11

Are most Alsatian wines blended or single vineyard?

Answer 11

Single vineyard.

Question 12

How are inexpensive blended wines labeled?

Answer 12

Edelzwicker, Gentil, or they carry a producer’s brand name.

Question 13

Since Alsace varieties are aromatic, what is the focus of their winemaking.

Answer 13

Retaining aromas and flavors of the grapes. Traditionally in large oak barrels; but more currently in stainless.

Question 14

Is MLF widely used in Alsace?

Answer 14

No. It would mask the pure fruit flavors.

Question 15

How do you tell the sweetness of an Alsatian wine from its label.

Answer 15

You can’t. VT wines can vary from dry to medium sweet. SGN wines are always sweet.

Question 16

What is the most widely planted variety in Alsace?

Answer 16

Riesling

Question 17

What are Rieslings characteristics?

Answer 17

Medium to full body, dry with medium alcohol, high acidity, citrus and stone fruit with a pronounced stony/steely character. They do not show as much fruit as German Rieslings.

Question 18

Describe the characteristics of Gewürztraminer.

Answer 18

Pungent aromatic spicy nose, reminiscent of lychees, roses and sweet baking spices. Tends to be full bodied with a rich oily texture, low to medium acidity and high alcohol.

Question 19

What are the characteristics of Pinot Gris?

Answer 19

Rich, full-bodied, more acidity than Gewurtztraminer but less aromatic. Richly textured and a pronounced flavor intensity with fresh and dried fruits and a honeyed character.

Question 20

Which Muscat variety produces the best wines?

Answer 20

Muscat Blanc a Petis Grains. They are intensely aromatic with flavors of orange blossom, rose and grape, with light to medium body and low to medium acidity.

Question 21

Which Muscat variety is the most widely planted and why?

Answer 21

Muscat Ottonel. Muscat Blanc a Petis Grains is prone to poor fruit set and rot so the less aromatic Ottonel is more widely planted because it will crop more regularly.

Question 22

Name 3 other white wine grape varieties in Alsace?

Answer 22

Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, and Sylvaner.

Question 23

What is the only black grape variety in Alsace?

Answer 23

Pinot Noir. Generally a light fruity red or rose.