Cremant d’Alsace

Question 1

Cremant d’Alsace accounts for how much total production of wine in the region?

Answer 1

25%

Question 2

How many producers make cremant?

Answer 2

500

Question 3

How much area of vineyard is declared for cremant production?

Answer 3

3600 as of 2023

Question 4

Most important grape variety?

Answer 4

Pinot Blanc

Question 5

Typical flavours of Cremant d’Alsace?

Answer 5

Medium intensity apple & pear fruit with brioche and/or biscuit-like autolytic notes, medium (+) acid, light to medium body, most wines are Brut

Question 6

Elevation of vineyards?

Answer 6

200-400m, mainly on eastern flanks

Question 7

What is the mountain range? What does it do?

Answer 7

Vosges Mountains. Creates a rain shadow effect, making Alsace the driest, sunniest region in France

Question 8

Alsace climate?

Answer 8

Sunny and continental. Dry and hot during growing season, though rain at harvest can be a problem. Irrigation is not permitted. Hot days, cool nights. Spring frost can be an issue and has become worse in recent years. Warmer and earlier Springs resulting in early bud-break

Question 9

Site location of Pinot Blanc in Alsace for Cremant

Answer 9

lower level elevations with high fertility soils. Some cooler sites on the higher valleys, eg Munster Valley

Question 10

Grape Varieties

Answer 10

Pinot Blanc (20%), Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir

Question 11

Characteristics of Pinot Blanc as a grape

Answer 11

Early budding, early ripening, prone to spring frost and fungal disease. Must be harvested earlier than other varieties. Contributes pear and apple aromas, plus high acidity.

Question 12

Which grape varieties are not permitted in Cremant d’Alsace?

Answer 12

Gewurztraminer and Muscat. Riesling is allowed, however, little is used

Question 13

Cremant d’Alsace is the only AOC allowing the use of which grape?

Answer 13

Chardonnay - less than 1% of vineyard plantings

Question 14

Cremant d’Alsace Rose can only be made of which grape? What are the characteristics?

Answer 14

Pinot Noir. Very good quality with medium to medium (+) flavour intensity of red-berried fruit

Question 15

Cremant d’Alsace yield?

Answer 15

80hl/ha. Press yield is 100L per 150kgs of grapes. Growers must declare in July prior to harvest that they are making cremant from particular vineyards

Question 16

Harvest time for Cremant d’Alsace?

Answer 16

Last days of August to beginning of September, much earlier than the rest of the region. Just ripe fruit with high-acidity is sought.

Question 17

Harvest method?

Answer 17

Hand harvesting as whole bunch pressing is mandatory

Question 18

What adjustments are allowed during winemaking for cremant d’alsace?

Answer 18

Must adjustments (chaptalisation/adding sugar)

Question 19

Reserve wine usage and time on lees for cremant d’alsace?

Answer 19

No reserve wine is used, typically just a single vintage. Minimum time on lees during second ferment 12 months, resulting in primary fruit forward wines.

Question 20

What method is used to make cremant d’alsace rose?

Answer 20

Maceration on skins for 12-24 hours

Question 21

What is the dosage level for cremant d’alsace wines?

Answer 21

8-10g/L range, vast majority of wines are made Brut

Question 22

When was the Cremant d’Alsace AOC established?

Answer 22

1976

Question 23

Minimum potential alcohol for cremant d’alsace?

Answer 23

9%

Question 24

Minimum potential must weight for cremant d’alsace?

Answer 24

144g/L

Question 25

Vine training methods?

Answer 25

Guyot Simple or Guyot Double is mandatory

Question 26

Soil types

Answer 26

granite, schist, limestone, clay, gravel, loess, grés de Vosges

Question 27

Soil types - steepest slopes

Answer 27

schist, granite, volcanic sediment

Question 28

Soil types - lower slopes

Answer 28

limestone base

Question 29

Soil types - flat plains

Answer 29

richer, alluvial clay and granite

Question 30

Law & Business - production ownership?

Answer 30

43% co-operatives, 37% merchant houses, 20% independant growers

Question 31

Which have been the largest years of growth in production for cremant d’alsace?

Answer 31

2000 - 2014. Nearly 40 million bottles produced in 2020

Question 32

Are the sales mostly domestic or exported?

Answer 32

Domestic, 72%

Question 33

Cremant d’Alsace Emotion

Answer 33

Launched in 2012, Category requires a minimum 75% pinot blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir, separately or together,. Minimum 24 months on lees

Question 34

Key producers

Answer 34

Maison Bestheim, Valentin Zusslin, Muré, Cave de Turkheim, Domaine Jean Claude Buecher