Alsace

Question 1

What percentage of Alsacian wine is sold by independent growers?

Answer 1

20%

Question 2

Describe the climate of Alsace.

Answer 2

Continental climate. little rainfall. hot summers, sunny, dry autumns. Autumns are long due to the influence of the Vosges mountains.

Question 3

Which area has the coolest climate and the least protection from the Vosges?

Answer 3

Bas-Rhin

Question 4

What are the most important grape varieties of Alsace?

Answer 4

Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, pinot Blanc, Sylvaner and Pinot Noir

Question 5

What percentage of wine production does Alsace AC account for?

Answer 5

70%

Question 6

In Alsace, if a grape varietal appears on the label, what percentage of that grape must be used?

Answer 6

100%

Question 7

What are the two ACs in Alsace?

Answer 7

Alsace AC and Alsace Grand Cru AC

Question 8

How many Grand Cru vineyards are there in Alsace?

Answer 8

51

Question 9

Which 4 grape varieties are permitted for Grand Cru status in Alsace?

Answer 9

Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, or Pinot Gris

Question 10

What are the two classifications for Alsacian wine?

Answer 10

Vendange Tardive and Selection de Grains Nobles

Question 11

Describe wines classified as Vendange Tardive.

Answer 11

Late harvest wines. Must be from the 4 noble grape varietals. Must have a sugar ripeness of 14% abv for Riesling and Muscat and 15.3% for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. wines can vary in style from dry to medium sweet.

Question 12

What is the level of sweetness required for VT wines?

Answer 12

there is not requirement. wines can vary in style from dry to medium sweet.

Question 13

What does Selection de Grains Nobles mean?

Answer 13

Selection of nobly rotten grapes

Question 14

Describe SGN wines.

Answer 14

must be made from one of the four noble grape varieties. Must have a sugar ripeness of 16.4% abv for Riesling and Muscat and 18.2% for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. They are always sweet.

Question 15

What are the 4 noble grape varieties in Alsace?

Answer 15

Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris.

Question 16

Describe the typical characteristics of the best Alsacian wines with the exception of VT and SGN wines.

Answer 16

they are traditionally dry and full bodied with spicy notes to accompany the fruit. They are usually high in alcohol due to the hot summers.

Question 17

What is the most widely planted variety in Alsace

Answer 17

Riesling

Question 18

Describe a typical Alsacian Riesling.

Answer 18

full bodied, medium to medium+ alcohol, high acid, flinty mineral character.

Question 19

What grape is responsible for the best SGN wines?

Answer 19

Riesling.

Question 20

What grape is responsible for the best VT wines?

Answer 20

Gewurztraminer.

Question 21

Describe a typical Alsacian Gewurztraminer.

Answer 21

pronounced aromas of lychees, rose and baking spices. full bodied with rich oily texture, medium to low acid, high alcohol.

Question 22

Describe the characteristics of Alsacian Pinot Gris.

Answer 22

rich, full bodied. high in alcohol. fresh and dried fruit and a smoky, honeyed character . same golden color as gewurzraminer but less pronounced aromas.

Question 23

What are the two departments of Alsace? Where are they located?

Answer 23

Haut-Rhin to the south and Bas-rhin to the north.

Question 24

Do most alsacian wines go through Malolactic fermentation?

Answer 24

No because it would mask the pure fruit flavors.