Alsace

Question 1

What is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 1

Cool Continental

Question 2

What effect do the Vosage mountains have on Alsace?

Answer 2

The Vosage mountains act as a rain shadow creating a microclimate in Alsace, making it one of the driest regions in France.

Question 3

What is the annual Rainfall in Alsace?

Answer 3

500ml

Question 4

What are the two Sub-districts of Alsace?

Answer 4

Bas-Rhin (North)
Haut-Rhin (South)

Question 5

Which Sub-district is considered the premium area in Alsace?

Answer 5

The Haut Rhin is deemed more superiors as it is where most the premium sites are located

Question 6

What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace?

Answer 6

Riesling
Gewurtztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat

Question 7

Asides from the 4 Nobel varieties, what other white varieties are permitted in Alsace?

Answer 7

Sylvaner
Pinot Blanc (Cleaner/Klevner)
Chasselas
Auxerrois
Chardonnay (only permitted as a blending grape in Cremant d’Alsace)

Question 8

What is the only Permitted red Varieties in Alsace?

Answer 8

Pinot Noir

Question 9

How many Grand cru’s are there in Alsace?

Answer 9

There are 51 Grand crus in Alsace

Question 10

What is the one exception the noble varietals of Alsace?

Answer 10

Zotzenberg is the only grand cru to permitted to use Sylvaner

Question 11

What does Edelzwicker indicate on a bottle of Alsatian wine?

Answer 11

Edelzwicker / “Noble Mixture” indicates an inferior wine made from a blend of grapes.
Wines do not legally need to be vintage wines, nor do they have to contain more than one variety.

Question 12

What does Gentil indicate on a bottle of Alsatian wine?

Answer 12

These wines are superior to Edelzwicker.
Legally they must contain a minimum of 50% noble varieties the other grapes must be AOC permitted and they must be vinified separately.

Question 13

What are the two cities either end of Alsace?

Answer 13

Strasbourg (North)
Mulhouse (South)

Question 14

Is Chaptalization permitted in Alsace?

Answer 14

Yes, in all but VT & SGN Wines

Question 15

What is the Minimum alcohol % for the 4 noble varieties on AOC Alsace Grand Cru?

Answer 15

11%abv Riesling & Muscat
12.5% abv Gewurtztraminer & Pinot Gris

Question 16

Name 3 AOC Alsace Grand cru vineyards which are permitted to blend?

Answer 16

Zotzenberg
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf

Question 17

What is the designation for sparkling wines in Alsace?

Answer 17

AC Cremant

Question 18

What does VT Stand for in Alsace?

Answer 18

Vendange Tardive (Late Harvest). The grapes are left on the vines in a good year to allow grapes to become over ripe and attract Botrytis.
Only Noble varieties can be used.
These wines can range form dry to sweet, the most common being made from Gewurtztraminer.

Question 19

What does SGN stand for on Alsatian wine?

Answer 19

Selection de Grains Nobles, sweet wine affected by Boytritis which is only made in the greatest years. Grapes are harvested In several tries as in Sauternes.

Question 20

What is Alsace Communals?

Answer 20

There are 13 communes in Alsace, these have higher restrictions over Alsace AOC.

Question 21

What is a Lieux-dits in Alsace?

Answer 21

This is an individual vineyard or plot within an appellation, this is of higher quality and subject to stricter restrictions than Alsace AOC.

Question 22

Where is Trimbach Clos ste Hune Vineyard?

Answer 22

In the heart of Grand Cru Rosacker, in Hunawihr.