Alsace

Question 1

When did Alsace receive AOC status?

Answer 1

1962

Question 2

Which 2 environmental landmarks are either side of Alsace?

Answer 2

The Vosges to the west and the Rhine River to the east

Question 3

How long is Alsace north to south?

Answer 3

185km

Question 4

What are the 2 departments of Alsace?

Answer 4

The Haut-Rhin in the south and the Bas-Rhin in the north

Question 5

What 3 major impacts does the Vosges have on the vineyards of Alsace?

Answer 5

They protect from prevailing westerly winds off the Atlantic
They create a rain shadow over Alsace making it very dry
They provide altitude, with some of the hillsides reaching 1400m

Question 6

What is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 6

Cool continental

Question 7

What percentage of Alsace is made up of white grapes?

Answer 7

90%

Question 8

What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace?

Answer 8

Riesling
Pinot Gris
Muscat (Blanc a Petits Grains, Rose a Petits Grains, Ottonel)
Gewürztraminer

Question 9

What are the other permitted grapes of Alsace?

Answer 9

Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Chasselas (Gutedal)
Sylvaner
Auxerrois
Pinot Noir

Question 10

Describe a typical Alsation Riesling

Answer 10

Crisp citrus and pure minerality. Bone dry, high acidity, high alcohol

Question 11

Describe a typical Alsation Pinot Gris

Answer 11

Aromas of spicy-smoke and sweeter citrus
Full bodied and rich with medium acidity

Question 12

Describe a typical Alsation Muscat

Answer 12

Floral and grapey aromas with a medium body and medium-high acidity

Question 13

Describe a typical Alsation Gewurztraminer

Answer 13

Highly aromatic with sweet spice and tropical fruit, particularly lychee
Low in acidity and high in alcohol, often off-dry

Question 14

What is Edelzwicker?

Answer 14

A noble mixture, often without a vintage date and inexpensive

Question 15

What does gentil mean?

Answer 15

A blend with a minimum 50% of noble grapes

Question 16

What city is the central hub of the Haut-Rhin?

Answer 16

Colmar

Question 17

What are clos vineyards?

Answer 17

Vineyards which are self-contained, and normally represent quality

Question 18

What is significant about Trimbach’s Clos Saint-Hune?

Answer 18

Clos Saint-Hune is a self-contained vineyard within the Rosacker Grand Cru vineyard. Trimbach believes the rest of Rosacker Grand Cru is inferior to Clos Saint Hune so they disregard the Grand Cru status in favour of the Clos Saint Hune name

Question 19

What are the appellations of Alsace?

Answer 19

AC Vin d’Alsace
AC Alsace Grand Cru
Cremany d’Alsace
Vendanges Tardives
Selections de Grains Nobles

Question 20

What is the minimum alcohol of Vin d’Alsace?

Answer 20

8.5%

Question 21

What is AC Edelzwicker?

Answer 21

A blend of 2 or more grape varieties

Question 22

What is AC Gentil?

Answer 22

A blend of 2 or more permitted grape varieties, 50% of which have to be noble grapes

Question 23

When was Alsace Grand Cru created?

Answer 23

1975

Question 24

How many Grand Crus does Alsace have?

Answer 24

51

Question 25

Which Alsatian vineyard was the only Grand Cru in 1975?

Answer 25

Schlossberg

Question 26

How Alsatian many Grand Crus were added in 1983 and 1992 respectively?

Answer 26

24 in 1983 25 in 1992

Question 27

When was the 51st Grand Cru added and what is it called?

Answer 27

2007 Kaefferkopf

Question 28

What is the minimum alcohol of Alsace Grand Cru?

Answer 28

11%

Question 29

What are the grapes of Alsace Grand Cru?

Answer 29

Riesling Gewurztraminer Pinot Gris Muscat Pinot Noir

Question 30

What are the exceptions to Alsace Grand Cru regulations?

Answer 30

Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf allow blending of grapes (not necessarily noble) Zotenberg allows Sylvaner

Question 31

Which 2 Alsatian vineyards can produce Grand Cru Pinot Noir?

Answer 31

Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr

Question 32

When was Cremant d'Alsace created?

Answer 32

1976

Question 33

What is the production method for Cremant d'Alsace?

Answer 33

Methode Traditionelle

Question 34

What is the minimum lees aging for Cremant d'Alsace?

Answer 34

9 months

Question 35

Which grapes is allowed in Cremant d'Alsace but not in Vin d'Alsace?

Answer 35

Chardonnay

Question 36

What grape is widely used as the base of Cremant d'Alsace?

Answer 36

Pinot Blanc

Question 37

What are the 2 late harvest appellations?

Answer 37

Vendanges Tardives Selections de Grains Nobles

Question 38

When were the late harvest appellations created?

Answer 38

1984

Question 39

How are the grapes for Selection de Grains Nobles picked?

Answer 39

In tries, like in Sauternes

Question 40

How do grapes qualify for Selection de Grains Nobles?

Answer 40

They must be botrytised

Question 41

What does Vendanges Tardives mean?

Answer 41

Late Harvest

Question 42

What types of vines produce the best Vendanges Tardives?

Answer 42

Vines in a state of passerillage

Question 43

What is passerillage?

Answer 43

A process where grapes are dried and shrivelled to increase sugar content

Question 44

Are Vendanges Tardives and Selections de Grains Nobles always sweet?

Answer 44

No Vendanges Tardives can be dry or sweet depending on the passerillage process, so can be more like a German auslese or spatlese Selection de Grains Nobles is affected by botrytis therefore always sweet, much like a dessert wine