Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

What type of bottle is commonly used for wines in both Germany and Alsace?

A

The “flute”, a long-tapered bottle.

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2
Q

What is the AOC for sparkling wine in Alsace?

A

Crémant d’Alsace AOC

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3
Q

Alsace became a part of Germany in what year?

A
  1. It was annexed after the Franco-Prussian War.
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4
Q

What is the difference between Klevner and Klevener?

A

Klevner is Pinot Blanc, a genetic mutation of Pinot Gris. Klevener is Savagnin Rose, a secondary grape in Alsace.

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5
Q

Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim must be blended with…

A

50 percent Riesling

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6
Q

T or F? Alsace is the only region in France where Riesling is permitted.

A

False. Riesling is now permitted in IGP Pays d’Oc which can source fruit from Languedoc and Roussillon.

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7
Q

T or F? Alsace is the most northerly wine region in France.

A

False. Champagne is slightly farther to the north than Alsace.

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8
Q

What are four German influences on Alsace wines?

A

Varietal labeling, flute bottle, Riesling and German phonics

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9
Q

What is the effect of the Vosges Mountains on vineyards in Alsace?

A

The Vosges provide a rain shadow that ensures mainly sunny and dry growing conditions.

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10
Q

What is the impact of global climate change on the dryness of Alsace wines?

A

Sugar levels are rising and more off-dry wines are being produced.

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11
Q

What percentage of Alsace wine is white?

A

90 percent

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12
Q

What is the most widely-planted grape in Alsace?

A

Riesling

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13
Q

T or F? A wine labeled “Sélections de Grains Nobles” must be made from grapes affected by botrytis

A

True. This is a requirement.

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14
Q

What are the four noble white varieties in Alsace?

A

Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer

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15
Q

On which bottles of Alsace wine is vintage labeling optional?

A

Edelzwicker

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16
Q

T or F? In Alsace, Grand Cru wines may be red or white.

A

False. Grand Crus are white only.

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17
Q

What are the two Muscats grown in Alsace?

A

Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc and Muscat Ottonel. (Muscat à Petits Grains is considered higher quality.)

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18
Q

The Sylvaner grape, although grown in Alsace, is believed to be native to . . .

A

. . . Austria

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19
Q

Savagnin Rose is also known as . . .

A

. . . Klevener (not to be confused with Klevner).

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20
Q

“Tokay d’Alsace” is a former name for . . .

A

. . Pinot Gris. “Tokay d’Alsace” is no longer permitted under EU law.

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21
Q

Klevner or Pinot Vrai is more commonly known as . . .

A

. . . Pinot Blanc.

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22
Q

Klevener (not to be confused with Klevner) is also known as . . .

A

. . . Savagnin Rose

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23
Q

T or F? In Alsace, Chardonnay is used mainly as a component of a blend.

A

True. Chardonnay is used in Crémant d’Alsace

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24
Q

T or F? A wine labeled “Alsace AOC” can be still or sparkling.

A

False. Sparkling wines are labeled “Crémant d’Alsace”. They are a separate appellation.

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25
Q

What are the seven primary grape varieties in Alsace?

A

Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner, Muscat

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26
Q

T or F? In Alsace, each Grand Cru has its own separate AOC status.

A

True. This has been the case since 2011.

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27
Q

What is the climate in Alsace?

A

Continental, with large seasonal and diurnal temperature swings

28
Q

Grand Cru Kaefferkopf, when bottled as a blend, must contain a majority of which grape?

A

Gewurztraminer.

29
Q

How many soil types in Alsace?

A

13

30
Q

What are the four permitted grapes in Alsace Grand Cru?

A

Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Gewurztraminer

31
Q

What are the four secondary white grapes of Alsace?

A

Chardonnay, Chasselas, Klevener (Savagnin Rose), Auxerrois Blanc

32
Q

T or F? The AOC-approved yields for Alsace are the highest in France.

A

True. They are generally 80 hl/ha for whites.

33
Q

A former name for Pinot Gris is . . .

A

. . . Tokay d’Alsace

34
Q

What are the aging requirements of Crémant d’Alsace?

A

Nine months sur lie, plus 3 months in the cellar (12 months total)

35
Q

What is Gentil?

A

A blend in Alsace that must contain 50 percent “noble” white varieties

36
Q

T or F? Crémant d’Alsace is primarily made from Chardonnay.

A

False. Crémant d’Alsace is mostly Pinot Blanc, but Chardonnay can be used as well.

37
Q

T or F? Edelwicker may be a blend of any white grapes approved for Alsace AOC wine

A

True.

38
Q

In an effort to combat phylloxera in Alsace, in the late nineteenth century vignerons were encouraged to . . .

A

. . . plant high-yield, low-quality hybrids that could resist the pest.

39
Q

In which direction do the best slopes in Alsace face?

A

South/southeast

40
Q

T or F? Riesling is indigenous to France.

A

False…Germany

41
Q

T or F? Wines in Alsace may be designated AOC, IGP or Vin sans IG.

A

False. All wines in Alsace are AOC. in 2011, the number of AOCs expanded from 3 to 53!

42
Q

Auxerrois Blanc is a cross between . . .

A

. . . Gouais Blanc and Pinot

43
Q

In which century did Alsace reach its peak of prosperity?

A

The sixteenth (Late Renaissance).

44
Q

T or F? Sylvaner is permitted in Alsace Grand Cru wines.

A

True. But only in one vineyard, Zotzenberg.

45
Q

T or F? Grass may be planted between rows of vines to increase grape yields.

A

False. Grass is planted to decrease yields (because grass competes with the vines for nutrients).

46
Q

T or F? Grapes for the Alsace AOC can be sourced from any part of Alsace

A

True.

47
Q

Zotzenberg is an exceptional Grand Cru vineyard because . . .

A

. . . Sylvaner is permitted here.

48
Q

What red grape is permitted in Alsace?

A

Pinot Noir

49
Q

Alsace Grand Cru…what is ranked

A

the vineyards not the producer

50
Q

Alsace Grand Crus:

A

White only and single varietals only (Except Altenberg 50% Riesling and Kaefferkopf 60-80% Gewurz)

51
Q

Alsace AOC two sub-categories are…

A

Communal (wines of higher quality, 13 qty, name of commune allowed on bottle) and Lieu-Dit (plots of land or vineyard due to notable expression of terroir)

52
Q

How many Alsace Grand CRU AOCs?`

A

51 (4% of all Alsace wine produced is of this category) WHITE ONLY

53
Q

Cremant D’Alsace AOC rose’s are made exclusively from what varietal?

A

Pinot Noir

54
Q

% of Cremant production

A

23%

55
Q

Cremant varietals

A

primarily vinified from Pinot Blanc, but Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Auxerrois and Pinot Noir can go into the cuvee as well

56
Q

Mountains that create a rainshadow

A

Voges Mountains

57
Q

name of grabin

A

Rhine Grabin

58
Q

wines labeled Pinot Blanc can be…

A

100% Pinto Blanc, 100% Auxerrois Blanc or blend of both.

59
Q

wines labeled Pinot D’Alsace can be…

A

Auxerrois Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir (as white), Pinot Gris…no min/max, or 100% of any of the above grapes.

60
Q

Describe Gentil wines

A

50% of noble grape variety at least, must be vinified separately, requires tasting panel approval, vintage MUST appear on label

61
Q

why must all grapes be hand harvested?

A

steep slopes

62
Q

What percentage of total production is consumed in France?

A

75%

63
Q

How many Grand Cru vineyards are there?

A

53

64
Q

What is Edelzwicker?

A

Blend of any approved white grapes, vinified together OR separate, vintage is optional

65
Q

AOC Cremant D’Alsace White and Rose varietals are?

A

P. Blanc/Chard (White) and P. Noir only (Rose)