Alsace

Question 1

History:
What countries was Alsace torn between throughout the middle ages?

Answer 1

Germany and France

Question 2

what is the main difference between German wines and Alsatian wines after Alsace became part of France?

Answer 2

German wines remained classically sweet white Alsace producers opted for drier, more food friendly wines

Question 3

what year did Alsace achieve AOC status?

Answer 3

1962

Question 4

what are the two departments of Alsace?

Answer 4

Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin

Question 5

where are the premier wines and 2/3 of Alsace Grand Crus located?

Answer 5

Haut-Rhin

Question 6

what is the major body of water in Alsace?

Answer 6

Rhine River

Question 7

what mountain range separates Alsace from the rest of France and creates a rain shadow effect?

Answer 7

Vosges mountains in the west

Question 8

what is the capital of Haut-Rhin?

Answer 8

Colmar

Question 9

what is France’s driest city located in Alsace?

Answer 9

Colmar

Question 10

where do the vineyards of Alsace lay?

Answer 10

in a thin strand along the lower slopes and foothills of the Vosges mountains

Question 11

what is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 11

Semi-continental

Question 12

what soil types can be found in Alsace?

Answer 12

granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, loess, and pink sandstone (gres de vosges)

Question 13

what soil types are found in the steeper mountain slopes where the best vineyards are located?

Answer 13

schist, granite, and volcanic sediment

Question 14

what soil types are found on the lower slopes at the foot of the mountain?

Answer 14

alluvial clay and gravel

Question 15

what % of wine is white in Alsace?

Answer 15

90%

Question 16

what % of French white wine is produced in Alsace?

Answer 16

20% of all white wine

Question 17

what are the noble grapes of Alsace?

Answer 17

Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Gewurztraminer

Question 18

what is the main appellation of Alsace?

Answer 18

Alsace AOP

Question 19

what grapes are permitted in Alsace AOP?

Answer 19

noble varieites, pinot blanc (klevner), chasselas (Gutadel), sylvaner, pinot noir

Question 20

How are wines labeled and bottled in Alsace?

Answer 20

varietally

Question 21

what grape is often blended and confused with Pinot Blanc?

Answer 21

Auxerrois

Question 22

what % of stated grape must be in Alsace AOP wines?

Answer 22

100% of stated variety

Question 23

if a wine is labeled “Pinot”, what can you expect to be in the bottle?

Answer 23

any proportion of related varieties of Pinot–> pinot noir, pinot blanc, pinot gris

Question 24

what grapes represent the largest volume of appellation production?

Answer 24

Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois

Question 25

what is the most planted grape in Alsace?

Answer 25

riesling

Question 26

what is the last noble grape to ripen?

Answer 26

Riesling

Question 27

how does Alsatian riesling differ from German riesling?

Answer 27

they are more dry, powerful, and higher in alcohol than german riesling

Question 28

what is another name for Pinot Gris in Alsace?

Answer 28

Tokay d'Alsace

Question 29

what two noble varieties are known for being extremely aromatic?

Answer 29

Muscat and Gewurztraminer

Question 30

what is Savinin Rose?

Answer 30

a sibling of Gewurztraminer, rare grape found in 5 communes of Alsace

Question 31

what is Edelzwicker?

Answer 31

a noble mixture, used on a label to indicate an inexpensive blended wine; doesnt need to be vintage dated or legally obligated to contain more than one grape

Question 32

what is Gentil?

Answer 32

superior designation of blends that contain a minimum of 50% noble grapes

Question 33

who is Marcel Deiss?

Answer 33

an advocate of using field blends to emphasize Alsatian terroir

Question 34

what is a field blend?

Answer 34

when grapes from a single vineyard are vinified together and produced under the vineyard name

Question 35

how many Alsace grand crus are there?

Answer 35

51

Question 36

what was the first Alsace Grand cru?

Answer 36

Schlossberg

Question 37

what are the requirements for Alsace Grand Cru Aop?

Answer 37

only noble varieties used, hand harvesting required, min sugar levels at harvest higher than Alsace AOP, yields more restricted, min alcohol is 11% for riesling and muscat, 12.5% for pinot gris and gewurztraminer

Question 38

what two kinds of late-harvest wines are found in Alsace?

Answer 38

Vendanges Tardives and Selections de Grains Nobles

Question 39

what is Vendanges Tardives?

Answer 39

wines that may show botrytis character, emphasize varietal purity, originate from vines in a state of passerillage (air dried), not obligated to be sweet so can be produced sweet or dry

Question 40

what is Selections de Grains Nobles?

Answer 40

wines that are picked in tries and suppress varietal character in return for the complexities of botrytis, not obligated to be sweet but always made in a dessert style

Question 41

what is the only red variety permitted for Alsace AOP wines?

Answer 41

Pinot Noir

Question 42

what is Cremant d'Alsace?

Answer 42

Sparkling wine made methode traditionelle from Alsace, made from pinot blanc/noir, can be white or rose

Question 43

what german region is Alsace a continuation of?

Answer 43

Pfalz