1. Geography and Climate

• Location: Northeastern France, bordered by the Vosges Mountains to the west and the Rhine River to the east.

• Climate: Continental, with warm, dry summers and cold winters. The Vosges Mountains provide a rain shadow effect, making Alsace one of the driest wine regions in France.

• Soil Types: Extremely diverse, with 13 major soil types, including:

• Granite: Produces wines with minerality and tension.

• Limestone: Adds elegance and finesse.

• Schist: Contributes to aromatic intensity.

• Clay: Adds richness and body.

• Volcanic: Found in specific Grand Crus like Rangen, imparting smoky, mineral-driven characteristics.

2. Grape Varieties

• Noble Grapes (used for Grand Cru, VT, and SGN wines):

• Riesling: Dry, high-acid, mineral-driven wines with citrus, stone fruit, and petrol notes.

• Gewurztraminer: Aromatic, full-bodied, with lychee, rose, and spice notes.

• Pinot Gris: Rich, textured, with honeyed, smoky, and tropical fruit flavors.

• Muscat: Floral, grapey, and fresh, often used for dry or off-dry styles.

• Secondary Grapes:

• Pinot Blanc: Versatile, used for still wines and Crémant d’Alsace.

• Sylvaner: Fresh, light-bodied, with herbal and citrus notes.

• Chasselas: Rare, used in blends or for local consumption.

• Pinot Noir: The only red grape, producing light to medium-bodied wines, with increasing focus on quality in recent years.

3. Classification Systems

• Alsace AOC:

• Covers the majority of still wines.

• Can be varietally labeled (100% of the stated grape) or blends (e.g., Edelzwicker or Gentil).

• Alsace Grand Cru AOC:

• 51 Grand Cru vineyards, each with unique terroir and regulations.

• Only noble grapes are permitted (with exceptions like Sylvaner in Zotzenberg and Pinot Noir in certain Grand Crus like Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr).

• Notable Grand Crus:

  • Rangen de Thann: Volcanic soils, known for Riesling and Pinot Gris.

  • Schlossberg: Granite soils, famous for Riesling.

  • Zotzenberg: Limestone soils, allows Sylvaner.

  • Hengst: Clay-limestone soils, known for powerful Gewurztraminer.

• Vendanges Tardives (VT):

• Late-harvest wines, often with botrytis influence.

• Must be made from noble grapes.

• Minimum sugar levels vary by grape variety (e.g., Riesling/Muscat: 235 g/L, Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer: 257 g/L).

• Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN):

• Sweet wines made from botrytized grapes.

• Higher minimum sugar levels than VT (e.g., Riesling/Muscat: 276 g/L, Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer: 306 g/L).

4. Crémant d’Alsace

• Style: Sparkling wine made using the traditional method.

• Grapes: Primarily Pinot Blanc, with contributions from Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Pinot Noir (used for rosé).

• Aging Requirements: Minimum 9 months on lees.

• Producers: Domaine Dirler-Cadé, Dopff au Moulin, and others.

5. Key Producers

• Iconic Producers:

• Domaine Zind-Humbrecht: Biodynamic, known for powerful, terroir-driven wines.

• Domaine Weinbach: Focus on Grand Cru sites like Schlossberg.

• Trimbach: Famous for dry Riesling, including the iconic Clos Ste. Hune.

• Hugel & Fils: Known for VT and SGN wines.

• Albert Mann: Biodynamic, with a focus on Grand Cru sites like Hengst and Furstentum.

• Boutique Producers:

• Domaine Ostertag: Innovative, with a focus on terroir expression.

• Domaine Marcel Deiss: Known for field blends and biodynamic practices.

6. Clos and Monopoles

• Clos Sites:

• Clos Ste. Hune (Trimbach): A monopole within the Rosacker Grand Cru, producing one of the world’s most iconic Rieslings.

• Clos des Capucins (Domaine Weinbach): Located in Kaysersberg, known for Gewurztraminer and Riesling.

• Clos de la Faille (Albert Mann): A monopole in Wintzenheim, planted with Pinot Noir.

• Monopoles:

• Alsace has several monopoles, often tied to historic estates or specific terroirs.

7. Viticulture and Winemaking

• Viticulture:

• High-density planting to maximize terroir expression.

• Organic and biodynamic practices are increasingly common.

• Hand-harvesting is mandatory for Grand Cru, VT, and SGN wines.

• Winemaking:

• Fermentation in large, neutral oak foudres or stainless steel.

• Minimal intervention to preserve varietal and terroir expression.

• Extended lees aging for texture and complexity.

8. Vintage Variability

• Key Vintages (Last 20 Years):

• 2010: High acidity, excellent for Riesling.

• 2015: Warm vintage, producing ripe, concentrated wines.

• 2017: Balanced, with good ripeness and acidity.

• 2019: Exceptional quality, with vibrant acidity and ripe fruit.

• 2020: Warm vintage, producing rich, opulent wines.

9. Unique Styles and Regulations

• Edelzwicker: A blend of permitted white varieties, often simple and easy-drinking.

• Gentil: A higher-quality blend, requiring at least 50% noble grapes.

• Pinot Noir: Increasingly important, with some Grand Cru sites now permitting its production.

• Sylvaner: Allowed in Zotzenberg Grand Cru, showcasing its potential for quality.

10. Advanced Study Points

• Grand Cru History:

• Introduced in 1975 with Schlossberg as the first Grand Cru.

• Expanded to 51 sites by 2007.

• Soil and Terroir:

• The diversity of soils is unparalleled, with some Grand Crus having multiple soil types.

• Biodynamic Practices:

• Alsace is a leader in biodynamic viticulture, with producers like Zind-Humbrecht and Marcel Deiss at the forefront.

• Clos and Monopoles:

• Understanding the significance of Clos sites and their historical importance.

Sample Advanced Questions

1. True/False:
   Pinot Noir is permitted in all Alsace Grand Cru vineyards.
   Answer: False (Only a few Grand Crus, like Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr, allow Pinot Noir).

2. Fill-in-the-Blank:
   The minimum sugar level for Sélection de Grains Nobles Riesling is _ g/L.
   Answer: 276 g/L.

3. Matching:
   Match the Grand Cru to its soil type:

• Rangen de Thann → Volcanic

• Schlossberg → Granite

• Zotzenberg → Limestone

1. Scenario-Based:
   A guest requests a biodynamic Riesling from a volcanic soil Grand Cru. Which producer and vineyard would you recommend?
   Answer: Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Rangen de Thann.