D3 - Alsace Flashcards
Examines the regions, grapes, methods of production, and styles of Alsace.
What is Alsace’s climate like, and what causes it?
Continental – warm, sunny and unusually dry climate due to it being in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains.
Why is the growing season so long in Alsace?
It has a northerly latitude.
- What is Alsace’s annual rainfall?
- What pressure does that put on the vineyards?
- 600mm/year;
- Drought pressure (irrigation is not permitted).
Besides being in a rain shadow, what other drying influence is there in Alsace?
Föhn wind – a drying wind that raises the temperature and reduces fungal disease risk.
- The better vineyards in Alsace are at what elevations?
- What direction do these better vineyards face?
- 200/250m - 450m asl;
- South/southeast/southwest for maximum sunlight interception.
Where and in what kind of soils are the lesser-quality vineyards of Alsace planted?
- The plains between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine river;
- Deeper, more fertile soils that promote vegetative growth and high yields.
What do the less fertile, better-draining soils of Alsace (and most regions) promote?
- Slower growth;
- Better fruit quality.
Riesling is cold hardy.
Why does it have some protection against spring frost?
It buds late.
Select the correct answer.
Riesling needs a growing season that’s:
a. short
b. long
c. cloudy
b. long
Give a quick SAT on Alsace Riesling.
- Dry;
- Medium to full body;
- Medium alcohol;
- High acidity;
- Citrus, peach, stony.
Gewurztraminer is the opposite of Riesling’s budding and ripening timing.
When does Gewurztraminer bud and ripen?
Buds early, ripens early.
When is Gewurztraminer usually harvested in Alsace?
Late so it achieves fully ripe skins, maximizing the aromas and avoiding unripe tannins.
Give a quick SAT on Gewurztraminer.
- High alcohol;
- Medium to full body;
- Low to medium acidity;
- Lychee, apricot, rose, spice.
Like Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris is __ budding and __ ripening.
Early budding, early ripening.
Both Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer accumulate high ___ levels leading to medium to high alcohol levels.
Sugar
AOC regulations in Alsace dictate vines must be trained how?
Single or double Guyot.
Why are the fruit zones and canopies trainer higher in Alsace than in other regions?
- Fruit zone – to reduce the risk from frost and humidity, especially on the valley plain;
- Canopy – to maximize exposure to the sun.
Fungal disease might be low in Alsace, but what other afflictions does the region suffer?
- Vine moth;
- Esca.
About __% of Alsace’s vineyards are certified or in conversion as organic, above France’s 14% national average.
35%
Most white grapes in Alsace are fermented at lower temperatures except Gewurztraminer.
Why is that?
A slightly higher fermentation temperature ensures that the yeast can ferment effectively to high alcohol levels.
Low fermentation temps can lead to banana flavors, which are undesirable in Gewurztraminer.
Why is malolactic conversion typically avoided on the white wines from Alsace?
The aim is to preserve primary fruit aromas and flavors.
Maximum yields in Alsace range from __ hl/ha for Grand Crus to __ hl/ha for Alsace AOC.
- Grand Crus – 55 hl/ha, though 50 hl/ha for some Grand Crus (e.g. Rangen);
- Alsace AOC – 80-100 hl/ha depending on the grape.
Co-ops in Alsace, most of which have good reputations, represent __% of sales.
40%
All still wines from Alsace must be bottled in this shape bottle, and none can be bottled in this.
- Must be in flute-shaped bottle;
- None can be B-I-B (Bag-in-Box).
In 2022, which two vineyards in Alsace became Grand Crus for Pinot Noir?
- Hengst;
- Kirchberg de Barr.
Name a Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace that is allowed to produce a blended white wine.
Altenberg de Bergheim
