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French Wine Scholar > Alsace > Flashcards

Alsace Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the seven focus grapes of Alsace?

A 
Riesling
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Gewurtztraminer
Muscat
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
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2
Q

Which four grapes are considered “noble” in Alsace?

A

Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewurtztraminer
Muscat

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3
Q

T or F: Riesling is indigenous to France

A

FALSE. Riesling is indigenous to Germany (the Rhine Valley)

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4
Q

Sylvaner, although grown in Alsace, is believed to be native to…?

A

Austria

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5
Q

T or F: There are 13 soil types in Alsace

A

TRUE. The soil in Alsace is quite complex, owing to millions of years of geologic faulting and erosion

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6
Q

How has climate change impacted the historically dry wine style of Alsace?

A

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

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7
Q

What is the synonym for Pinot Blanc in Alsace?

A

Klevner

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8
Q

What is the climate of Alsace?

A

Continental

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9
Q

What Alsace AOC produces sparkling wine?

A

Crémant d’Alsace AOC

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10
Q

Define Edelzwicker

A

A blend of any of the approved white grapes of Alsace. Vintage dating is optional.

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11
Q

What type of bottle is commonly used for the wines in Alsace?

A

The “flute”, a long-tapered bottle

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12
Q

Define “Gentil”

A

A blended white wine containing at least 50% of the four noble grapes of Alsace

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13
Q

What are the two categories of dessert wines produced in Alsace?

A

Vendages Tardives

Sélection de Grains Nobles

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14
Q

T or F: In Alsace, each Grand Cru is an independent AOC

A

TRUE. This has been the case since 2011.

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15
Q

T or F: A wine labeled “Sélection de Grains Nobles” must be made from grapes affected by botyrtis

A

TRUE

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16
Q

What is a “lieu-dit”?

A

A parcel of land within a single commune that is a legally registered cadastral unit

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17
Q

What topographical feature contributes to the dry, sunny climate of Alsace?

A

The Vosges Mountains

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18
Q

T or F: Machine harvesting is common in Alsace.

A

FALSE. Most vineyards are hand harvested.

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19
Q

Define “Graben”

A

Geologically speaking, a grave-like trench that has sunk between two parallel fault lines

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20
Q

Define “Foudre”

A

Traditional, large-format, oak casks

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21
Q

How much of Alsace’s total production consists of blended wines?

A

20%

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22
Q

How many AOCs are there in Alsace?

A

53

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23
Q

How many Grand Crus are there in Alsace?

A

51

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24
Q

Generally speaking, if a grape variety is listed on the bottle, it must comprise what % of the wine?

A

100% (Pinot Blanc is the exception to this rule)

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25
Q

What is the principal vine training method in Alsace?

A

Guyot

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26
Q

How many Grand Crus allow blends?

A

2 (Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf)

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27
Q

How many Grand Crus allow the use of Sylvaner?

A

1 (Zotzenberg)

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28
Q

T or F: Vendages Tardives wines represent a separate AOC

A

FALSE. This is a wine style within the Alsace AOC and the Alsace Grand Cru AOC

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29
Q

T or F: Sélection de Grains Nobles wines represent a separate AOC

A

FALSE. This is a wine style within the Alsace AOC and the Alsace Grand Cru AOC

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30
Q

In what century was Alsace first incorporated into France?

A

The 17th century

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31
Q

Is Klevener de Heiligenstein a focal or ancillary grape variety?

A

Ancillary

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32
Q

Is Gewurtztraminer a focal or ancillary grape variety?

A

Focal

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33
Q

Is Pinot Gris a focal or ancillary grape variety?

A

Focal

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34
Q

Is Sylvaner a focal or ancillary grape variety?

A

Focal

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35
Q

Is Riesling a focal or ancillary grape variety?

A

Focal

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36
Q

Is Auxerrois a focal or ancillary grape variety?

A

Ancillary

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37
Q

Is Chasselas a focal or ancillary grape variety?

A

Ancillary

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38
Q

Is Pinot Blanc a focal or ancillary grape variety?

A

Focal

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39
Q

Is Chardonnay a focal or ancillary grape variety?

A

Ancillary

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40
Q

Is Muscat a focal or ancillary grape variety?

A

Focal

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41
Q

Is Pinot Noir a focal or ancillary grape variety?

A

Focal

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42
Q

After which war did Alsace become part of the German Empire?

A

The Franco-Prussian War

43
Q

Name the noble grape varieties of Alsace.

A
  1. Riesling
  2. Pinot Gris
  3. Gewurtztraminer
  4. Muscat
44
Q

Does Pinot Gris make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?

A

AOC Alsace and Grand Cru

45
Q

Does Pinot Noir make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?

A

Only AOC Alsace

46
Q

Does Riesling make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?

A

AOC Alsace and Grand Cru

47
Q

Does Klevener de Heiligenstein make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?

A

Only AOC Alsace

48
Q

Does Sylvaner grown in Zotzenberg make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?

A

AOC Alsace and Grand Cru

49
Q

Does Pinot Blanc make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?

A

Only AOC Alsace

50
Q

Does Auxerrois make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?

A

Only AOC Alsace

51
Q

Does Gewurtztraminer make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?

A

AOC Alsace and Grand Cru

52
Q

Does Chasselas make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?

A

Only AOC Alsace

53
Q

Does Muscat make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?

A

AOC Alsace and Grand Cru

54
Q

T or F: Alsace enjoys a maritime climate.

A

FALSE

55
Q

What is the classic flavor profile of Gewurtztraminer?

A

ginger, rose, lychee

56
Q

What is the classic flavor profile of Riesling?

A

citrus, honeysuckle, linden, jasmine, apple, floral, petrol

57
Q

What is the classic flavor profile of Pinot Gris?

A

pear, honey

58
Q

What is the classic flavor profile of Muscat?

A

grapes, flowers

59
Q

Which mountain range protects the vineyards of Alsace from bad weather brought across northern France by westerly winds?

A

The Vosges

60
Q

Is Muscat permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?

A

Sweet

61
Q

Is Gewurtztraminer permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?

A

Sweet

62
Q

Is Pinot Gris permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?

A

Sweet

63
Q

Is Pinot Blanc permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?

A

Only dry

64
Q

Is Sylvaner permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?

A

Only dry

65
Q

Is Auxerrois permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?

A

Only dry

66
Q

Is Klevener de Heligenstein permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?

A

Only dry

67
Q

Is Riesling permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?

A

Sweet

68
Q

Is Chasselas permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?

A

Only dry

69
Q

Is Pinot Noir permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?

A

Only dry

70
Q

Of the grape varieties permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles production, two are used much more frequently than the others. Which are they?

A

Gewurtztraminer

Pinot Gris

71
Q

For an Alsace wine to be varietally labelled, what percentage of the grape specified on the label must be used?

A

100%

72
Q

Gentil is one of the traditional blended wines of Alsace. What are the rules associated with it?

A

At least 50% noble grapes, vinified separately–vintage must be declared

73
Q

Edelzwicker is one of the traditional blended wines of Alsace. What are the rules associated with it?

A

Any permitted white grapes can be vinified together–declaration of vintage is optional

74
Q

An Alsace wine labelled Pinot Blanc can contain what?

A

100% Pinot Blanc

100% Auxerrois

Any blend of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois

Any blend of Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir

75
Q

What is another local name for Pinot Blanc in Alsace?

A

Klevner

76
Q

T or F: Gentil is not a separate AOC.

A

TRUE

77
Q

T or F: Vendages Tardives is not a separate AOC.

A

TRUE

78
Q

Alsace Grand Cru is a regional AOC, site specific AOC, or not a separate AOC?

A

site specific AOC

79
Q

Alsace AOC is a regional AOC, site specific AOC, or not a separate AOC?

A

Regional AOC

80
Q

Selection de Grains Nobles is a regional AOC, site specific AOC, or not a separate AOC?

A

not a separate AOC

81
Q

Edelzwicker is a regional AOC, site specific AOC, or not a separate AOC?

A

not a separate AOC

82
Q

Cremant d’Alsace is a regional AOC, site specific AOC, or not a separate AOC?

A

regional AOC

83
Q

How has the Germanic cultural influence left its mark on the wines of Alsace?

A

The Germanic bottle shape, the Flute d’Alsace

Varietal labeling

The importance of Riesling

84
Q

T or F: Most of the vineyards in Alsace are planted on the slopes of the Vosges foothills and face south or southeast.

A

TRUE

85
Q

Can Chardonnay be used in Pinot d’Alsace?

A

No

86
Q

Can Pinot Noir be used in Pinot d’Alsace?

A

Yes

87
Q

Can Auxerrois be used in Pinot d’Alsace?

A

Yes

88
Q

Can Pinot Blanc be used in Pinot d’Alsace?

A

Yes

89
Q

Can Chasselas be used in Pinot d’Alsace?

A

No

90
Q

Can Gewurtztraminer be used in Pinot d’Alsace?

A

No

91
Q

Can Muscat be used in Pinot d’Alsace?

A

No

92
Q

Can Riesling be used in Pinot d’Alsace?

A

No

93
Q

Can Pinot Gris be used in Pinot d’Alsace?

A

Yes

94
Q

Why does the harvest in Alsace run from September to November?

A

Different grape varieties ripen at different times.

Some sites are warmer with more sun and some are cooler, so sites ripen at different times.

Grapes for sparkling need more acidity and so less ripeness.

Grapes for sweet wines need more sugar and so more ripeness.

Alsace has 13 different soil types. Cool soils delay ripening, warm soils speed up ripening.

95
Q

T or F: Alsace Communal wines and Alsace Lieu-Dit wines are not separate AOCs, but sub-categories of the Alsace AOC.

A

TRUE

96
Q

Gewurztraminer is the aromatic version of the non-aromatic Savagnin Rose. What is the Alsace name for Savagnin Rose?

A

Klevener de Heiligensten

97
Q

T or F: Since 2008, Pinot Gris – other than Grand Cru, Lieux-Dit and dessert wines – has to be made in a dry style.

A

FALSE

98
Q

Can Muscat Ottonel be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?

A

Yes

99
Q

Can Golden Muscat be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?

A

No

100
Q

Can Muscat of Alexandria be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?

A

No

101
Q

Can Muscat of Hamburg be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?

A

No

102
Q

Can Muscat d’Eisenstadt be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?

A

No

103
Q

Can Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?

A

Yes

104
Q

Can Goldenmuskateller be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?

A

No

French Wine Scholar (17 decks)

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