Fakta om Alsace
Alsace är ett 100 km långt område som är 2-15 km brett
15 600 hektar utgör AOC-vinland och 4700 vinodlare finns idag i Alsace
Klimatet i Alsace är unikt på grund av att området ligger skyddat av bergen Vogeserna som tar upp regnmoln och vind och lämnar dalgångarna i Alsace skyddade med fin solexponering.
Staden Colmar har den näst lägsta årliga nederbörden i hela Frankrike efter Perpignan!
Förr i tiden odlades 40 olika druvsorter i Alsace.
Idag odlas sju olika druvsorter Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztrminer, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner och den blå Pinot Noir Fyra av dem räknas som les Cépages Nobles (de ädla druvsorterna)
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztrminer och Muscat. Dessa druvor skördas även sent och ger då mer eller mindre söta ”Vendanges Tardives” och ”Sélection de grains nobles”.
1,15 miljoner buteljer produceras årligen
AOC Alsace utgör 75% av produktionen
AOC Alsace Grand Cru från 51 klassificerade vingårdar utgör 4% av produktionen
AOC Crémant d’Alsace utgör 21% av produktionen
Den traditionella långsmala flaskformen i Alsace kallas flûte
75% säljs på den franska marknaden, Sverige ligger på sjätte plats på exportmarknaden
The seven Alsatian Grape variety
Sylvaner : In the past this grape has been very common in Alsace. It produces light wines which are lively and sometimes vivacious. Refreshing, the sylvaner develops cut grass aromas and a light fruitiness.
It goes very well with seafood, fish and cold starters.
Pinot Blanc : Two different grape varieties are named Pinot Blanc : The true Pinot Blanc, fruity, lively and mineral and the Auxerrois, spicier and aromatic. They are often blended in variable proportions to make a light and fruity wine.
The Pinot Blanc works well with most of the dishes. So you can easily serve it with a whole buffet, from the aperitif to the dessert.
The Chardonnay can be added to this family, it is allowed for the production of AOC Crémant d’Alsace, but not in the AOC Alsace.
Riesling : The Riesling variety is born in the Rhine valley. The king of the Alsatian wines is dry, racy and delicately fruity. Its floral and mineral notes reflect the terroir where it has grown.
This gastronomic wine par excellence pairs with all the fish dishes and most of the traditional Alsatian specialities (Choucroute, baekaoffe…)
Muscat : The Muscat gives in Alsace a dry and wonderfully fruity wine, very different of the sweet Muscat from the South of France. The Muscat d’Alsace is fruitier, the Muscat Ottonel is fine and round. They express nobly the aromas of the grape berries.
This original wine is often served young, as an aperitif or with sweet and sour dishes. In Alsace it accompanies also the asparagus.
Pinot Gris : This cluster with small grey berries makes a rich and structured white wine. Complex aromas of ripe fruits, forest floor, sometimes lightly smoked or floral characterise the Pinot Gris.
This wine goes well with poultry, white meat and foie gras.
Gewurztraminer : Powerful, full-bodied, sumptuous, the Gewurztraminer is the most famous grape in Alsace. Its intense bouquet displays aromas of flowers (rose…), exotique fruits (lychee, pineapple…) and spices.
Gewurztraminer is perfect for the aperitif, with ethnic dishes, strong cheeses, and the desserts.
Pinot Noir : As in Burgundy, the Pinot Noir is the only variety making red wines. From the rosé to the full-bodied red aged in oak, these wines have characteristic fruit, reminiscent of cherry.