ALSACE

Question 1

Most wines are varietally labelled here?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

Climate?

Answer 2

Cool to moderate continental climate

Question 3

What mountains shelter vineyards from Westerly rain?

Answer 3

Vosges

Question 4

Where are the best vineyards?

Answer 4

On steepest slopes with East and South East facing aspects

Question 5

Lesser vineyards lie on plain between Vosges foothills and the Rhine. Grapes grown here are used for what?

Answer 5

Cremant d’Alsace and local AC sparkling

Question 6

How are vines trained on slopes?

Answer 6

Trained low to benefit from radiated heat, harvesting done by hand

Question 7

How are vines trained on the plain?

Answer 7

Trained high to minimize risk of spring frosts

Question 8

4 most important grapes? Noble varieties

Answer 8

Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gew
Muscat

*Typically only grapes that can be used for VT SGN GRAND CRU

Question 9

Traditional producers ferment their wines in what?

Answer 9

Large old oak barrels, 100+ years old

Question 10

As of 2021harvest, producers must indicate what on bottle?

Answer 10

Level of sweetness on back wine label

Question 11

4 levels of sweetness

Answer 11

Sec
Demi Sec
Moelleux
Deux

Question 12

What are blended wines labelled as?

Answer 12

Edelzwicker
Gentil

Question 13

Most widely planted noble variety?

Answer 13

Riesling

Question 14

Characteristics of Riesling?

Answer 14

Med-full body
Dry, med alcohol
High acid
Citrus/Stone fruit aromas
Stony, steely

Some being made with RS

Not as floral as Riesling from Germany

Question 15

Gew characteristics?

Answer 15

Aromas of lychees, roses, sweet baking spice

Light pink tinge on skin of grapes giving golden color to wine

Full body, rich/oily texture
Low-med acid
High alcohol

Question 16

Pinot Gris characteristics?

Answer 16

Full body
High alcohol
More acid then GEW
Less aromatic than GEW
Rich texture
Pronounced flavor fresh/dry fruits, honey character

Question 17

Muscat characteristics

Answer 17

Best is Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains
Very aromatic with flavors of orange blossom, rose, grape
Light-med body
Low-med acid
Prone to poor fruit set and rot so Muscat Ottonel is more planted as it is more reliable

Question 18

What is Pinot Blanc used for?

Answer 18

Sparkling wines

As a still wine it is light, simple, refreshing, non aromatic

Grown on more fertile soils of the plain

Question 19

Auxerrois characteristics?

Answer 19

Similar to PB, but slightly spicier and more full bodied, sometimes blended with Pinot Blanc

Question 20

Sylvaner?

Answer 20

Used to be planted more
Delicate perfume, some richness, but way less than GEW, best drunk young

Question 21

Only black grape permitted?

Answer 21

Pinot Noir