02 Alsace - Intro and History

Question 1

What natural barriers and historic adversaries hemmed in Alsace after the dissolution of Charlemagne’s Holy Roman Empire?

Answer 1

The Vosges Mountains and France to the west, and the Rhine River and German territories to the east.

Question 2

When was Alsace incorporated into what was to become Germany?

Answer 2

870.

Question 3

In which year was Alsace annexed by France at the end of the Thirty Years War?

Answer 3

1648.

Question 4

When was Alsace reclaimed by Germany after the Franco-Prussian War?

Answer 4

1871.

Question 5

What event led to Alsace returning to France after being occupied by Germany?

Answer 5

Germany’s surrender in WWII.

Question 6

What has the historical legacy of Alsace been accompanied by?

Answer 6

Extreme suffering and trauma.

Question 7

What types of wine are Alsace known for producing?

Answer 7

• Riesling
• Gewurztraminer
• Muscat
• Pinot Gris

Question 8

How are the wines of Alsace presented, similar to Germany?

Answer 8

In slender flute bottles.

Question 9

What is unique about Alsace’s white wines compared to Germany’s?

Answer 9

Alsace’s white wines have traditionally been devoid of residual sugar.

Question 10

What has prevented Alsace from thoroughly exploring its excellent terroirs?

Answer 10

Political upheaval.

Question 11

What happened when vineyard sites were being considered for Grand Cru status in the 1970s?

Answer 11

Producers outside historic boundaries petitioned for expanded borders.

Question 12

What is more important than Grand Cru pedigree in determining wine quality?

Answer 12

The producer.

Question 13

What types of designations have producers successfully lobbied for within the Alsace AOC?

Answer 13

• Communal
• Lieu-dit

Question 14

What is currently being discussed for Alsace that reflects a classification system similar to Bourgogne?

Answer 14

Establishing a Premier Cru category.

Question 15

What complicates the understanding of Alsace’s wine offerings?

Answer 15

The presence of seven principal grapes, special cuvées, dessert-category offerings, and proprietary tiers.

Question 16

What issue is Alsace currently wrestling with regarding its wines?

Answer 16

Residual sugar in wines that have historically been bone dry.

Question 17

What have some producers created to aid consumers regarding sweetness in wines?

Answer 17

Their own sweetness scale on back labels.

Question 18

What percentage of Alsace’s wine production is consumed in France?

Answer 18

Much of it.

Question 19

Who was the first vigneron to convert to biodynamics in France?

Answer 19

Eugène Meyer.

Question 20

What category is experiencing growth in Alsace?

Answer 20

Crémant d’Alsace.

Question 21

What has global warming contributed to in Alsace’s lone red wine?

Answer 21

Better maturity of flavor and tannins, and increased pigmentation in Pinot Noir.

Question 22

When was the Alsace Route du Vin established?

Answer 22

1953.

Question 23

How long is the Alsace Route du Vin?

Answer 23

170 km.

Question 24

How many picturesque winegrowing villages does the Alsace Route du Vin pass through?

Answer 24

70.

Question 25

How many signposted walking trails are included in the Alsace Route du Vin?

Answer 25

50.

Question 26

What does the Alsace Route du Vin represent?

Answer 26

One of the oldest wine routes in France.

Question 27

What region is known for the early flourishing of wild vines before human domestication?

Answer 27

Greater Rhine River Valley ## Footnote Wild vines thrived in this area long before viticulture began.

Question 28

Who began the domestication of the vine?

Answer 28

The Romans ## Footnote Viticulture was an immediate success with their arrival.

Question 29

What significant event in viticultural history occurred in Alsace as early as 2 CE?

Answer 29

Documented wine shipments ## Footnote This indicates the early establishment of viticulture in the region.

Question 30

Which tribes interrupted organized agriculture in Alsace during the 5th century?

Answer 30

Germanic tribes ## Footnote Their invasions marked a decline in viticulture.

Question 31

By the end of the 9th century, how many wine-producing villages were there in Alsace?

Answer 31

160 villages ## Footnote This reflects a vigorous rebound in viticulture.

Question 32

What period marked the peak of prosperity for Alsace's viticulture?

Answer 32

Middle of the Renaissance (16th century) ## Footnote The region was part of a western German principality at that time.

Question 33

What devastating conflict impacted Alsace's viticulture during the 17th century?

Answer 33

Thirty Years War ## Footnote This war ravaged the population and devastated social order.

Question 34

What major historical events led to a slow recovery in Alsace after it was annexed by France?

Answer 34

French Revolution, Napoleonic Wars, Franco-Prussian War ## Footnote These events created prolonged chaos in the region.

Question 35

What pest affected Alsace vineyards shortly after its return to Germany in 1871?

Answer 35

Phylloxera ## Footnote Its arrival led to significant changes in grape planting practices.

Question 36

What grape varieties did the Germans insist Alsace replant with after phylloxera?

Answer 36

* Auxerrois * Chasselas * French-American hybrids ## Footnote These were considered lesser compared to traditional varieties.

Question 37

What did the French government order Alsace growers to do after World War I?

Answer 37

Rip out their hybrid vines ## Footnote Many growers could not afford this expense during the Great Depression.

Question 38

By 1941, what percentage of vineyards in German-occupied Alsace were still planted to hybrids?

Answer 38

A significant percentage ## Footnote Specific figures are not provided, but many vineyards retained hybrid vines.

Question 39

What was a major focus of Alsace's wine production over the past forty years?

Answer 39

Sparkling wine ## Footnote This category has seen significant growth.

Question 40

How many bottles of crémant does Alsace produce today compared to 1977?

Answer 40

33 million bottles ## Footnote This represents a staggering growth from less than a million bottles.

Question 41

What percentage of Alsace's total wine production is exported?

Answer 41

A small percentage ## Footnote This poses challenges and opportunities for consumers.

Question 42

What is the current total area under vine in Alsace?

Answer 42

15,620 ha ## Footnote This area has stabilized despite post-war recovery efforts.

Question 43

What percentage of Alsace's total wine offering is accounted for by co-operatives?

Answer 43

Approximately 40% ## Footnote Some co-operatives like Turckheim, Beblenheim, and Ribeauvillé are celebrated.

Question 44

What is significant about the co-operative Ribeauvillé?

Answer 44

Established in 1895, it would have been France's oldest co-operative ## Footnote Its status is affected by Alsace's historical ties to Germany.

Question 45

What percentage of Alsace's growers sell their grapes to co-operatives?

Answer 45

50% ## Footnote This is part of a declining trend in the number of growers.

Question 46

Fill in the blank: The original regional Alsace AOC law was written in _______.

Answer 46

1945 ## Footnote Implementation was delayed until 1962 due to economic recovery.

Question 47

What type of bottle is traditionally used in Alsace?

Answer 47

Flûte d'Alsace ## Footnote The Flûte d'Alsace is a tall fluted bottle shape traditional to both Alsace and Germany.

Question 48

What is the normal way of labeling wine in Alsace?

Answer 48

Varietal labeling ## Footnote Varietal labeling refers to labeling by grape variety, which is common in Alsace and rare in the rest of France.

Question 49

What key information is most important on an Alsace wine label?

Answer 49

Grape variety ## Footnote The label will include the producer's name and sometimes a vineyard or cuvée name, but the grape variety is the most crucial detail.

Question 50

Name a few grape varieties used in Alsace.

Answer 50

* Pinot Blanc * Pinot Gris * Pinot Noir * Riesling * Gewurztraminer ## Footnote Some varieties reflect the region's Germanic past while others have French origins.

Question 51

Which grape variety is considered the principal grape of Alsace?

Answer 51

Riesling ## Footnote Riesling has German roots and is highly significant in Alsace.

Question 52

How is Gewurztraminer spelled in Germany and Italy?

Answer 52

Gewürztraminer ## Footnote In Germany and Italy, Gewurztraminer is spelled with an umlaut on the 'u'.

Question 53

True or False: Gewurztraminer is of German origin.

Answer 53

False ## Footnote Gewurztraminer is of French origin but is widely grown in Germany and produces distinctive wines in Alsace.

Question 54

What distinguishes Gewurztraminer wines produced in Alsace?

Answer 54

Distinctive wines ## Footnote Gewurztraminer produces its most distinctive wines in Alsace compared to its cultivation in other regions.