Alsace (R) Flashcards

1
Q

What is important about the bottling of Alsace AOP wines?

A

Must be bottled in traditional Flute d’Alsace shaped bottle

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2
Q

Alsace - red grape varieties?

A
  1. Pinot Noir
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3
Q

What grapes can be used for VT and SGN wines?

A
  1. Riesling
  2. Geewurztraminer
  3. Muscat
  4. Pinot Gris
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4
Q

How many AOP’s in Alsace?

A

2

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5
Q

What do the Vosges Mountains create for the region?

A

Rain shadow

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6
Q

How does the geography of the Haut-Rhin differ from that of the Bahs-Rhin?

A
  1. Higher elevation

2. Location of best vineyard sites (presumably due to more protection from the Vosges Mountains)

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7
Q

How does the geography of Bahs-Rhin differ from that of the Haut-Rhin?

A
  1. Lower elevation

2. Less protection from the Vosges Mountains

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8
Q

<p>Alsace - historical background?</p>

A

<p>1. Isolated region
<br></br>2. Heavily disputed
<br></br>3. Alternating French and Germanic rule, results in wines strongly connected to each
<br></br>4. Prominent Germanic grapes with French winemaking techniques</p>

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9
Q

What type of vessel is used for fermentation and aging in Alsace?

A

Neutral casks

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10
Q

The region of Alsace is divided in half between two departmental boundaries. What are they?

A
  1. Bahs-Rhin to the North

2. Haut-Rhin to the South

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11
Q

Which grape varieties are allowed to be planted in Alsace Grand Cru AOP vineyards?

A
  1. Reisling
  2. Gewurztraminer
  3. Muscat
  4. Pinot Gris
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12
Q

True or False: Alsace is one of the wettest regions in France.

A

FALSE

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13
Q

What causes the rain shadow in Alsace?

A

Vosges Mountains

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14
Q

What area does the Alsace/Vin d’Alsace cover?

A

The entire region

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15
Q

What characterizes a VT wine in Alsace?

A
  1. Late harvest (MAY be affected by botrytis)

2. Rich, full-bodied but not always sweet

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16
Q

What style of wine is Cremant d’Alsace?

A

Sparkling

17
Q

Are Cremant d’Alsace typically single variety or blends?

A

Blends

18
Q

Alsace lies between the __________ Mountains to the __________ and the __________ River to the __________.

A
  1. Vosges; west

2. Rhine; east

19
Q

Where are vineyards planted on the Vosges Mountains? (topography)

A

Rolling foothills

20
Q

What characterizes the soils in Alsace?

A

Tremendous diversity because of ancient geological activity

21
Q

What are the various soil types in Alsace?

A
  1. Marl
  2. Limestone
  3. Gneiss
  4. Schist
  5. Sandstone
  6. Granite
  7. Clay
  8. Volcanic Soils
22
Q

What method is used to make Cremant d’Alsace?

A

Methode Traditionelle (technically methode champenoise or methode classique)

23
Q

What characterizes an SGN wine in Alsace?

A
  1. always affected by botrytis
  2. Made in very small quantities
  3. Only in vintages when growing conditions are conducive to production
24
Q

Is oak used in Alsace?

A

Little to no use of new oak

25
Q

Which way do the better vineyards face on the rolling slopes? (aspect)

A

East-southeast

26
Q

What percentage of wines are made from white grape varieties in Alsace?

A

Over 90%

27
Q

How are most wines labeled in Alsace? (regional wine law)

A

By single grape variety utilized

28
Q

What characterizes the viticulture on Alsace?

A
  1. Long, Cool, dry growing season due to rain shadow

2. Better vineyards are planted on lower slopes facing east-southeast

29
Q

Wines labeled by variety must be __________% of the grape indicated.

A

1

30
Q

Define the term SGN in Alsace.

A

Selection de Grains Nobles

31
Q

What characterizes the topography along the Rhine River?

A

Flat plains

32
Q

How many grand cru vineyards in Alsace?

A

51

33
Q

Alsace - location?

A

Northeastern corner of France

34
Q

What effects does the rain shadow cause in Alsace?

A
  1. Drier Climate
  2. Sunnier Climate (not necessarily warmer)
  3. Long Growing Season
  4. Riper Grapes
  5. Higher alcohol potential
  6. Full-Bodied Wines
35
Q

Alsace - white grape varieties?

A
  1. Reisling
  2. Gewurztraminer
  3. Muscat
  4. Pinot Gris
  5. Pinot Blanc
  6. Sylvaner
36
Q

Name the AOP’s in Alsace.

A
  1. Alsace/Vin d’Alsace AOP

2. Alsace Grand Cru AOP

37
Q

Define the term “VT” in Alsace.

A

Vendange Tardive

38
Q

Alsace - climate?

A
  1. Cool continental (due to northernly latitude)
  2. dry, sunny summer due to rain shadow from Vosges Mountains
  3. Alsace is one of the driest regions in France
39
Q

What impact does the Vosges Mountains rain shadow have on the region?

A
  1. Protects from harsh, rainy weather from Northern France and Atlantic
  2. Creates dry, sunny summers