Klevener de Heiligenstein
Encyclopedia
Klevener de Heiligenstein is a designation used on Alsace wine
made from pink-skinned Savagnin Rose
grapes, a variety in the Traminer family, but which is less aromatic than Gewürztraminer
, which is widely planted in Alsace
.
The designation may be allowed for selected vineyards in the villages Bourgheim
, Gertwiller
, Goxwiller
, Heiligenstein
and Obernai but, under current appellation
rules, the designation may be used until 2021 for specified existing vineyards outside of the designation area.
Since Savagnin Rose isn't an allowed variety for other Alsace wines, its replanting outside of this area isn't allowed.
Since most Alsace wines are varietal
ly labeled
, it is a common misunderstanding to believe "Klevener de Heiligenstein" to be a local variety. In facts, it is the only geographical designation within the Appellation d'origine contrôlée
(AOC) Alsace.
. In 1971, the Klevener de Heiligenstein designation was included in the AOC regulations for Alsace. It is not a separate appellation
, but rather a designation within Alsace AOC which is defined both in terms of the grape variety and location within Alsace. This differs Klevener de Heiligenstein from the other varietal designations of Alsace AOC, which may be used in the entire region. Also, Savagnin Rose grape is the only Alsatian grape variety which is restricted to a specific subregion of Alsace, i.e. to Heiligenstein and the specified areas of the surrounding villages cited above.
The vines of the Savagnin Rose variety planted in Alsace bear striking similarities, morphologically
, to Gewürztraminer vines and are almost indistinguishable on inspection. Outside of DNA testing
and analysis of the wine that both grapes produce, the only noticeable difference is that just prior to veraison
the grapes of Savagnin Rose turn almost translucent while the skins of Gewürztraminer grapes are more opaque
. While Gewürztraminer was present in Alsace since the Middle Ages
, the 18th century introduction of Savagnin Rose did cause some confusion among vineyards as to which variety they had planted. The most obvious way to distinguish the two was to compare the type of wines that each produces with Gewürztraminer wine being much more aromatic. Until the 1970s, winemakers would label wines of better quality "Gewürztraminer" and wines of lesser quality "Traminer" or "Klevener de Heiligenstein", regardless of the final composition of Gewürztraminer, Savagnin Rose and/or Traminer in the wine. In 1973, the names Traminer and Savagnin Rose was discontinued from use on Alsatian wine labels. Due to the significant and early plantings of Savagnin Rose in Heiligenstein and the villages around it, the wine style of "Klevener de Heiligenstein" was granted its place however.
with a slight spicy flavor that has the potential to age well, especially in favorable vintage
s. It is less aromatic than Gewürztraminer with higher acidity and lower alcohol levels. Some styles can show a slight butter
y flavor. Outside of exceptional vintages, Klevener de Heiligenstein typically has delicate fruit flavors that start to fade after 2–4 years. The wine is not to be confused with other wine made from grape varieties named Klevner
, such as Pinot Blanc
which have frequently been called Klevner in Alsace, although this use seems on the decline.
Alsace wine
Alsace wine or Alsatian wine is produced in the Alsace region in France and is primarily white. These wines, which for historical reasons have a strong Germanic influence, are produced under three different Appellations d'Origine Contrôlées : Alsace AOC for white, rosé and red wines, Alsace Grand...
made from pink-skinned Savagnin Rose
Savagnin Rose
Savagnin Rose or Roter Traminer is a variety of wine grape. It has a pink, reddish or brownish red skin colour, but is counted as a "white wine grape", since it does not have the deep purple/blue/black colour of "red wine grapes"....
grapes, a variety in the Traminer family, but which is less aromatic than Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer is an aromatic wine grape variety that performs best in cooler climates. It is sometimes referred to colloquially as Gewürz, and in French it is written '...
, which is widely planted in Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
.
The designation may be allowed for selected vineyards in the villages Bourgheim
Bourgheim
Bourgheim is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.-References:*...
, Gertwiller
Gertwiller
Gertwiller is a French commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.Positioned in the heart of the Alsace wine growing region, Gertwiller specialises in the manufacture of pain d'épices, a traditional sweet spicey confection not dissimilar from ginger bread...
, Goxwiller
Goxwiller
Goxwiller is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.-Geography:Goxwiller is effectively a one-street village between flat arable land to one side and southward sloping vineyards to the other...
, Heiligenstein
Heiligenstein
Heiligenstein is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France. Its name means holy rock.It lies some to the north of Sélestat.-See also:* Klevener de Heiligenstein, a wine from Heiligenstein and surrounding villages...
and Obernai but, under current appellation
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
rules, the designation may be used until 2021 for specified existing vineyards outside of the designation area.
Since Savagnin Rose isn't an allowed variety for other Alsace wines, its replanting outside of this area isn't allowed.
Since most Alsace wines are varietal
Varietal
"Varietal" describes wines made primarily from a single named grape variety, and which typically displays the name of that variety on the wine label. Examples of grape varieties commonly used in varietal wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot...
ly labeled
Wine label
Wine labels are important sources of information for consumers since they tell the type and origin of the wine. The label is often the only resource a buyer has for evaluating the wine before purchasing it...
, it is a common misunderstanding to believe "Klevener de Heiligenstein" to be a local variety. In facts, it is the only geographical designation within the Appellation d'origine contrôlée
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
(AOC) Alsace.
History
The Savagnin vine was introduced to the Alsace region in 1740 by Erhard Wantz, mayor of the village of Heiligenstein. Ampelographers believe that the cuttings that Wantz brought originated from vineyards planted in the Italian Alps near Chiavenna in LombardyLombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
. In 1971, the Klevener de Heiligenstein designation was included in the AOC regulations for Alsace. It is not a separate appellation
Appellation
An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication used to identify where the grapes for a wine were grown; other types of food often have appellations as well...
, but rather a designation within Alsace AOC which is defined both in terms of the grape variety and location within Alsace. This differs Klevener de Heiligenstein from the other varietal designations of Alsace AOC, which may be used in the entire region. Also, Savagnin Rose grape is the only Alsatian grape variety which is restricted to a specific subregion of Alsace, i.e. to Heiligenstein and the specified areas of the surrounding villages cited above.
Relationship to Gewürztraminer
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
, to Gewürztraminer vines and are almost indistinguishable on inspection. Outside of DNA testing
Genetic fingerprinting
DNA profiling is a technique employed by forensic scientists to assist in the identification of individuals by their respective DNA profiles. DNA profiles are encrypted sets of numbers that reflect a person's DNA makeup, which can also be used as the person's identifier...
and analysis of the wine that both grapes produce, the only noticeable difference is that just prior to veraison
Veraison
Véraison is a viticulture term meaning "the onset of ripening". It is originally French, but has been adopted into English use...
the grapes of Savagnin Rose turn almost translucent while the skins of Gewürztraminer grapes are more opaque
Opacity (optics)
Opacity is the measure of impenetrability to electromagnetic or other kinds of radiation, especially visible light. In radiative transfer, it describes the absorption and scattering of radiation in a medium, such as a plasma, dielectric, shielding material, glass, etc...
. While Gewürztraminer was present in Alsace since the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, the 18th century introduction of Savagnin Rose did cause some confusion among vineyards as to which variety they had planted. The most obvious way to distinguish the two was to compare the type of wines that each produces with Gewürztraminer wine being much more aromatic. Until the 1970s, winemakers would label wines of better quality "Gewürztraminer" and wines of lesser quality "Traminer" or "Klevener de Heiligenstein", regardless of the final composition of Gewürztraminer, Savagnin Rose and/or Traminer in the wine. In 1973, the names Traminer and Savagnin Rose was discontinued from use on Alsatian wine labels. Due to the significant and early plantings of Savagnin Rose in Heiligenstein and the villages around it, the wine style of "Klevener de Heiligenstein" was granted its place however.
Wine style
Klevener de Heiligenstein does have some similarities to wines made from its cousin grape, Gewürztraminer. Both can produce dry winesSweetness of wine
The subjective sweetness of a wine is determined by the interaction of several factors, including the amount of sugar in the wine to be sure, but also the relative levels of alcohol, acids, and tannins. Briefly: sugars and alcohol enhance a wine's sweetness; acids and bitter tannins counteract it...
with a slight spicy flavor that has the potential to age well, especially in favorable vintage
Vintage
Vintage, in wine-making, is the process of picking grapes and creating the finished product . A vintage wine is one made from grapes that were all, or primarily, grown and harvested in a single specified year. In certain wines, it can denote quality, as in Port wine, where Port houses make and...
s. It is less aromatic than Gewürztraminer with higher acidity and lower alcohol levels. Some styles can show a slight butter
Butter
Butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk. It is generally used as a spread and a condiment, as well as in cooking applications, such as baking, sauce making, and pan frying...
y flavor. Outside of exceptional vintages, Klevener de Heiligenstein typically has delicate fruit flavors that start to fade after 2–4 years. The wine is not to be confused with other wine made from grape varieties named Klevner
Klevner
Klevner or Clevner is a synonym for various grape varieties and wines, and is primarily used in German-speaking wine regions. The word derives from the Swiss version of the name of the Northern Italian town Chiavenna, Kleven, situated at the north end of Lake Como...
, such as Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc
Pinot blanc is a white wine grape. It is a point genetic mutation of Pinot noir. Pinot noir is genetically unstable and will occasionally experience a point mutation in which a vine bears all black fruit except for one cane which produced white fruit....
which have frequently been called Klevner in Alsace, although this use seems on the decline.