Stone block
The Steinklotz vineyard is a vineyard in Alsace . Steinklotz has been part of the Alsace Grand Cru appellation since December 17, 1992 , making it one of the 50 potentially best locations in Alsace. A total of 40.60 hectares of vineyards were approved.
The location is in the area of the municipality of Marlenheim , only approx. 20 km west of Strasbourg . The area is located in a hilly zone that is in front of the Vosges. The vineyard is south-south-east facing at an altitude of 200 to 315 m above sea level. NN and is considered the northern starting point of the Alsace Wine Route . The steep slope below the Marlenberg minimizes the risk of frost damage after the vines have sprouted in spring, because cold air that arises during the nights does not lie over the vineyards but can slide down to the plain. The Vosges in the west protect the lee wine-growing region from too much rainfall in south-west or west-westerly weather conditions. This results in an above-average length of sunshine for the northern location. Its soils are derived in the rejection of Saverne . The vineyard rests on a substrate made of limestone from the geological age of the Upper Muschelkalk and marl from the Lettenkohlenkuper . Especially on the upper part of the slope, the topsoil is very stony and therefore makes good use of the sunlight during the day, as the stored heat is slowly released during the night. The cracks in the limestone base also store moisture.
Grape varieties
The location and the quality of the soil favor the cultivation of Gewürztraminer (approx. 4 hectares of planted vineyards) and Riesling (approx. 5 hectares of planted vineyards). In addition, there are smaller plantings with Pinot Gris (with around 1.6 hectares of planted vineyards). There are thus about 10.6 hectares of the total of 40.60 hectares under yield according to the conditions of the appellation. In principle, the Muscat d'Alsace grape varieties ( i.e. Muscat Ottonel or Muscat blanc à petits grains ) can also be planted.
Pinot Noir is also grown on a large scale and the winemakers are trying to get this variety recognized as Alsace Grand Cru.
history
As early as 589, Gregor von Tours reported in his work Historia Francorum that the location was in the possession of the Merovingian king Childebert II . It is the earliest written documentation of a vineyard in Alsace. In 613, Dagobert I transferred the property to Haslach Abbey.
Even today, a district of the mountain is called Zum König .
literature
- Pierre Galet: Cépages et Vignobles de France . Lavoisier Publishing House, Paris 2004. ISBN 2-7430-0585-8
- Benoît France (ed.): Grand Atlas des Vignobles de France. Éditions SOLAR, Paris 2002, ISBN 2-263-03242-8 .