Mountain Side Soils - Alsace
Granite and Gneissic Soils:
Location: Sides of the Vosges Mountains.
Composition: Formed from eruptive/magmatic rocks, breaking down into coarse sand (granitic arena).
Water Retention: Low, leading to less fertile soils.
Wine Characteristics: Wines from these soils are expressive in their youth, featuring a light structure.
Soil Fertility: Depends on the degree of soil alteration, influencing mineral release.
Shale Soils:
Location: Rare in Alsace, found in Andlau and Villé.
Composition: Laminated rock from compressed clay.
Fertility: Rich in fertilizing elements.
Wine Characteristics: Fresh, structured, and take a long time to reach full expression.
Volcano-sedimentary Soils:
Formation: Created 300 million years ago from underwater consolidated lava and ashes.
Composition: Hard, compact, and disintegrates easily.
Heat Retention: Good, beneficial for grape growth.
Wine Characteristics: Smoky aromas, ample and well-structured.
Sandstone Soils:
Geological Relation: Similar to granitic terroirs but with distinct traits.
Composition: Indurated or cemented quartz sands.
Character: Acidic and sandy, like granite soils.
Wine Characteristics: Less aromatic, with a longer acidic spine, needing more time to develop complexity.
