### Alsace's 2005 Vintage 
Alsace did not enjoy most-favored region status during Frances beautiful summer of 2005, but this continental corner of northeastern France benefited significantly from Indian summer conditions in the middle of October. Following a warm and dry summer, some cool weather in August helped to preserve acidity levels in the grapes. The region then endured a couple days of substantial rainfall in early September, which brought an element of dilution to the grapes in some sites. The rest of that month was dry and warm. Estates around Colmar and further south brought in some of their best fruit during the last days of September, generally with solid sugar levels and little or no rot, perfect for making drier-style wines. 

The first week of October was then overcast, with several days of moderate precipitation. The following two weeks, by all accounts, featured near-perfect conditions for the spread of noble rot: foggy mornings and sunny afternoons following the rainy period. As the grapes lost water and and gained in concentration, sugar levels rose and acidities remained healthy. Some of the late pickers made sizable quantities of high-quality late-harvest wines in 2005, not just Vendanges Tardives but, where noble rot was rampant, Sélections de Grains Nobles too.



Albert Mann

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