Wine Classifications & Styles

Question 1

Wine Classification & Styles

1. Alsace AC (3)
2. Alsace Grand Cru AC (2)
3. Crémant d’Alsace AC (3)
4. Vendages tardives (2)
5. SGN (3)

Answer 1

1. Alsace AC– allgrapes –70% since 62
2. 100hl/ha permitted yield (highest)
3. Traditionally varietal though some blends (e.g. Edelzwicker)
4. Flute bottles mandatory; IF varietal -> 100% variety
5. Alsace Grand Cru AC x51 since 75
6. From well defined areas & only from 4 noble varieties as 100% single varietal
7. Stricter winemaking rules around yields, picking (by hand only) & vinification
8. Crémant d’Alsace AC – 22% since 76
9. Pinot Gris, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay
10. 500+ producers specialised in it; just under 1m btls/year
11. Main export Belgium & Germany
12. Vendanges tardives
13. Only from 4 noble varieties as 100% varietal; single vintage; picking after certain date
14. Potential alcohol of 14% (Riesling+Muscat); 15.3% (PG; Gew) w chaptalisation forbidden
15. SGN
16. Only from 4 noble varieties as 100% single varietal
17. Only outstanding vintages
18. Potential alcohol 16.4% (Riesling & Muscat); 18.2% (PG; Gew) w some level of Botrytis