Alsace

Question 1

What is the name of the pink variant of Traminer found in the Bas-Rhin?

Answer 1

Klevener

Question 2

What is the name for the variant of Traminer in Jura?

Answer 2

Savignin

Question 3

What does the term Edelzwicker indicate on a label?

Answer 3

An inexpensive, non-vintage blend

Question 4

What does “gentil” indicate on a label?

Answer 4

Unofficial term for minimum 50% noble grapes. The remainder can come from any Alsatian grape but base wines must be fermented separately

Question 5

What winemaker is a staunch advocate for field blends in Alsace as a means of emphasizing terroir?

Answer 5

Marcel Deiss

Question 6

How many Grand Cru vineyards are there in Alsace?

Answer 6

51

Question 7

What was the sole named vineyard in 1975 with the establishment of the Alsace AOP?

Answer 7

Schlossberg

Question 8

What are the permitted grape varieties in Grand Cru vineyards?

Answer 8

The Noble Grapes (Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer)
Typically single varietal

Question 9

Which two Grand Cru Vineyards are allowed exceptions to permit blending outside the Noble Grapes?

Answer 9

Kaefferkopf
Altenberg de Bergheim

Question 10

Which Grand Cru vineyard is permitted to bottle varietal Sylvaner?

Answer 10

Zotzenberg

Question 11

Which two Grand Crus vineyards are permitted to bottle varietal Pinot Noir as of 2022?

Answer 11

Hengst
Kirchberg de Barr

Question 12

Which Grand Cru vineyard is permitted to bottle varietal Pinot Noir as of 2024?

Answer 12

Vorbourg

Question 13

Alsace is bordered by which two other nations?

Answer 13

Germany and Switzerland

Question 14

What year did Alsace gain AOC status?

Answer 14

1962 (last area in France)

Question 15

Which of the four noble grapes is the last to ripen?

Answer 15

Riesling

Question 16

What is the most planted grape in Alsace?

Answer 16

Riesling

Question 17

What is passerillage?

Answer 17

A process by which grapes are air-dried after harvest to increase sugar concentration

Question 18

What is Sélections de Grains Nobles?

Answer 18

Single noble varietal
Pass blind tasting panel
Suppress varietal character for botrytis
Hand harvested
Unenriched
Almost always sweet
Muscat and Riesling 278 g/l at harvest
Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Gris 306 g/l at harvest

Question 19

What are the two late harvest designations in Alsace and when were they established?

Answer 19

Sélections de Grains Nobles
Vendages Tardives
1984

Question 20

What is Vendages Tardives?

Answer 20

Single Noble Varietal
Pass blind tasting panel
May show botrytis but retain varietal character
Hand harvested
Unenriched
Not always sweet
Muscat and Riesling: 244 g/l at harvest
Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Gris: 270 g/l at harvest

Question 21

What is the only red variety permitted in Alsace AOP?

Answer 21

Pinot Noir

Question 22

What is the only appellation that permits the use of Chardonnay in Alsace?

Answer 22

Crémant d’Alsace

Question 23

What is the sole grape permitted in the production of Crémant d’Alsace rosé?

Answer 23

Pinot Noir (maceration or saignée)

Question 24

What are the principal viticultural concerns in Alsace?

Answer 24

Drought
Soil Erosion

Question 25

What is the soil composition in the best vineyards in Alsace?

Answer 25

Granite Schist Sandstone Limestone Marl Clay Volcanic

Question 26

Name five prominent producers in Alsace

Answer 26

Zind-Humbrecht Boxler Melanie Pfister Ostertag Trimbach Hugel Weinbach Albert Mann Paul Blanck Keuntz-Bas Josmeyer

Question 27

The Close Sainte Hune monopole is owned by which producer?

Answer 27

Domaine Trimbach

Question 28

What medieval city lies in the heart of the Grand Cru vineyards of Alsace?

Answer 28

Colmar

Question 29

True or false: wines may be chaptalized in Alsace AOP

Answer 29

True

Question 30

What is the smallest Grand Cru Vineyard in Alsace?

Answer 30

Kanzlerberg

Question 31

Wines labeled Pinot Blanc may be a blend of Pinot Blanc and what other variety?

Answer 31

Auxerrois

Question 32

What is the synonym for Chasselas in Alsace?

Answer 32

Gutedel

Question 33

What is the minimum alcohol level permitted for Grand Cru Muscat in Alsace?

Answer 33

11%