WBC17: The O.G. PG: An Exploration of Alsace’s Pinot Gris Styles

Alsace may not be the birthplace of Pinot Gris—the same grape as the lighter-bodied Pinot Grigio—but the region is responsible for popularizing its signature fuller-bodied, richer style. Alsace Pinot Gris, the “O.G. PG,” remains the only AOC Pinot Gris in France and serves as the source of inspiration for many New World producers, especially in Oregon. Join Wines of Alsace’s Cassidy Havens, DipWSET, to learn more about Alsace and taste three distinct styles from the region—ranging from dry and aromatic, to off-dry and full-bodied, to lusciously sweet.

Transcript

2. THE O.G. PG: AN EXPLORATION OF ALSACE’S PINOT GRIS STYLES Presented by Cassidy Havens, DipWSET from Wines of Alsace and Teuwen Communications
3. 38,460 acres of vines planted 4,005 winegrowers 90% white wine 18% of the total French production of still white AOC wines 15% of all vineyards are certified organic or biodynamic
5. A LONG HISTORY 160 vine-growing areas 900 1600 High point of Alsace wines (Alsace rivaled Bordeaux as largest wine producing region in both quantity and quality) 30-Years War, villages and vineyard are ravaged; vines are planted after the war, but mainly on the plain 1618-1648 1919 Alsace comes back under French rule Annexation by Germany during the Franco-Prussian War; Phylloxera 1871 Quest for quality, focus on best vineyards 1925 1940 Alsace is annexed by Germany again After WWII, Alsace is returned to France 1945 Alsace joins AOC system 1962 1972 Alsace wines required to be bottled in region of production First Grand Cru terroir, the Schlossberg 1975 AOC Crémant d’Alsace introduced 1976 2012 51 Grands Crus become 51 individual AOCs Pinot Gris vines are said to have been brought to Alsace from Tokaj 1565
7. AN IDEAL CLIMATE The vines are protected by the Vosges Mountains, giving low annual rainfall of between 20-26’’ 1,800 hours of sun per year in Colmar, with excellent conditions in the fall The grape ripening period sees warm days and cool nights
8. 2nd driest region in all of France! SLOW RIPENING OF GRAPES COMPLEXITY FRESHNESS AROMATICS GOOD STRUCTURE
9. 53 AOCs guarantee the authenticity of Alsace terroir 1 1 51 AOC Alsace AOC Crémant d’Alsace AOC Grands Crus + + • 72% of production • Created in 1962 • 24% of production • Created in 1976 • Traditional method only • 4% of production • Created in 1975 • 4 noble grapes only
10. 13 distinct soil types make Alsace the most diverse terroir in France! Along the mountain range Smaller hills Valley Granite gneiss Schist Volcanic Sandstone Limestone Limestone-sandstone Marl sandstone Marl limestone Marl clay Limestone-marl-sandstone Alluvial Loess and loam Valley floor colluvial
11. Formation of Alsace’s soils
12. Soil types and their impact on the wines Granite gneiss Schist Volcanic Sandstone Limestone Gravelly silt Marl clay Aromatic, fine acidity, opens up quickly Lively, expresses the variety Lemony, high acidity Fresh, fruity early consumption Fuller-bodied and textured, almost tannic Elegant, austere Full-bodied, smoky, briny
13. 7 grape varieties matched to their most ideal terroirs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Riesling Pinot Blanc Gewurztraminer Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Sylvaner Muscat Area of production by grape variety 3% 2% 6% 11% 16% 20% 21% 22% Riesling Pinot Blanc Gewurztraminer Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Sylvaner Muscat Other
15. Why the O.G. PG? “original gangster” ;)
17. Pinot Gris: The White Drinker’s Red Pinot Grigio is the same grape variety, but this wine is a completely different style, indicated by the usage of Grigio/Gris “Alsatian” Pinot Gris has become synonymous with a particular style in the New World, from Oregon, Washington, California to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa Smoky, earthy & powerful are the main descriptors used for Alsace Pinot Gris (and this style in general)
18. The Pinot Gris “Root System” Origins: Burgundy (Pinot Beurot) mutation of Pinot Noir Pinot Gris (Alsace/New World) Pinot Grigio (Italy/New World) Grauburgunder (Germany) Malvoisie (Loire/Savoie/Switzerland) 9+ OTHER synonyms throughout Europe
19. The Alsace Pinot Gris Legend Baron Lazare de Schwendi is said to have brought vines from Tokaj, Hungary around 1565 (THANK YOU!)
20. And some naming difficulties… Prior to 1970: Grauer Tokayer Then: Tokay Gris Then: Tokay d’Alsace Finally on April 1, 2007: Pinot Gris Then: Tokay Pinot Gris
21. TRIMBACH PINOT GRIS RÉSERVE 2014 • The Trimbach family has been making wine in Alsace since 1626 • Currently run by Hubert Trimbach, his nephews Jean and Pierre, and Pierre’s daughter Anne (13th generation) • Selected grapes from Ribeauvillé and surrounding villages • Residual sugar: 5.4 g/l • Acidity: 6.3 g/l • Price: $26
25. ZIND-HUMBRECHT PINOT GRIS GRAND CRU RANGEN DE THANN 2012 • Zind-Humbrecht is managed by Olivier Humbrecht, the first Frenchman and one of the world’s only winemakers to attain Master of Wine status • Unbroken winemaking lineage in Alsace since 1620 • Certified organic and biodynamic since 2002 • The grapes come from Clos St Urbain, a walled, 13.5-acre vineyard within the Grand Cru Rangen • Residual Sugar: 38 g/l • Acidity: 3.4 g/l • Price: $90
31. ALBERT MANN PINOT GRIS ALTENBOURG SGN “LE TRI” 2007 • Albert Mann is the joint effort of the Mann and Barthelmé families — brothers Jacky and Maurice and their partners Marie-Claire and Marie- Thérèse • They have been practicing biodynamic viticulture since 1997 • The Altenbourg lieu-dit sits just on the edge of the Grand Cru Furstentum • Residual Sugar: 237 g/l • Acidity: 10.2 g/l • Price: $115 for 750 ml / $60 for 375 ml
32. 2 different sweet wines: Vendanges Tardives and Sélections de Grains Nobles “Late harvest” Noble rot only Can have some noble rot GW, PG, Riesling, Muscat Picked in several passes GW, PG, Riesling, Muscat
37. Alsace Pinot Gris: Your Fall Wine BACON! MUSHROOMS! PORK! THANKSGIVING!
38. THANK YOU! ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE EMAIL: CASSIDY@TEUWEN.COM