Alsace

Question 1

What is France’s smallest région?

Answer 1

Alsace

Question 2

Name the 2 départements of Alsace

Answer 2

Haut-Rhin

Bas-Rhin

Question 3

Which département is home to over 2/3 of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards?

Answer 3

Haut-Rhin

Question 4

Name the types of soil found in Alsace

Answer 4

Granite

Limestone

Schist

Clay

Gravel

Chalk

Loess

Grés de Vosges (pink sandstone)

Question 5

Although the soil structure varies greatly from village to village, describe the general soil composition of Alsace.

Answer 5

The steeper mountain slopes are generally composed of schist, granite and volcanic sediment.

The lower slopes sit on a limestone base.

The plain at the base of the mountains consist of richer alluvial clay and gravel soils.

Question 6

In Alsace, 90% of AOP wine is what?

Answer 6

White

Question 7

What are the four “noble” grapes of Alsace?

Answer 7

Riesling

Pinot Gris

Muscat

Gewurztraminer

Question 8

Which grapes occupy the premier sites in Alsace and are, with minor exceptions, the only grapes planted in the region’s grand cru vineyards?

Answer 8

The noble grapes

(Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Gewurztraminer)

Question 9

In addition to the noble grapes, what other grapes are allowed to be bottled varietally?

Answer 9

Pinot Blanc (Klevner)

Chasselas (Gutedel)

Sylvaner

Pinot Noir

Question 10

All varietally labeled Alsace AOP wines must contain what percentage of the printed grape?

Answer 10

100%

Question 11

White wines simply labeled “Pinot” may contain any proportion of which varietals?

Answer 11

Pinot Noir

Pinot Gris

Pinot Blanc

Auxerrois

Question 12

In Alsace, what is the most planted grape, and the last of the noble grapes to ripen?

Answer 12

Riesling

Question 13

What grape was formerly called Tokay d’Alsace?

Answer 13

Pinot Gris

(also formerly known as Tokay Pinot Gris)

Question 14

In Alsace, Pinot Gris was formerly known as what?

Answer 14

Tokay d’Alsace

or

Tokay Pinot Gris

Question 15

Gevurztraminer and Klevener are pink-berried clones of what grape?

Answer 15

Traminer

Question 16

What are the 2 pink-berried clones of Traminer in Alsace?

Answer 16

Gewurztraminer

Klevener

Question 17

In Alsace, what is the difference between the grapes Klevner and Klevener?

Answer 17

Klevner is a local name for Pinot Blanc

Klevener is a pink-berried cousin to Gewurztraminer

Question 18

Klevener is known as what in Jura?

Answer 18

Savagnin

Question 19

What is Edelzwicker?

Answer 19

This “noble mixture”, in practice, is an inexpensive blended wine which does not require a vintage nor is it obligated to contain more than one grape.

Question 20

What is indicated by the term “Gentil” on the label of a white wine?

Answer 20

“Gentil” is a designation for blends, requiring a minimum of 50% noble grapes.

Question 21

In 1975, which vineyard was decreed the first Alsace Grand Cru AOP?

Answer 21

Schlossberg

Question 22

In 2007, which vineyard was named the 51st Alsace Grand Cru AOP?

Answer 22

Kaefferkopf

Question 23

How many Grand Crus are there in Alsace?

Answer 23

51

Question 24

Which Grand Cru AOP in Alsace is allowed to produce wine from a grape that is NOT one of the noble grapes?

Answer 24

Zotzenberg

Question 25

What grape does the Zotzenberg Grand Cru AOP produce?

Answer 25

Sylvaner

Question 26

What geographic feature separates Alsace from the rest of France?

Answer 26

The Vosges mountain range

Question 27

What impact do the Vosges mountains have on the Alsace region?

Answer 27

The mountains provide a "rain shadow" effect making Alsace one of France's driest and sunnest climates.

Question 28

What two Alsace AOP/Alsace Grand Cru AOP terms imply sweetness?

Answer 28

Vendages Tardives Sélections de Grains Nobles

Question 29

What are the general differences between wines labeled **Sélecitions de Grains Nobles** and wines labeled **Vendages Tardives**?

Answer 29

**Sélections de Grains Nobles** are generally picked in *tries*, are made to highlight the complexities of botrytis and are always dessert-like. **Vendages Tardives** may show botrytis character but emphasize varietal purity and can be quite dry. Both must contain a single noble variety, meet minimum must weight requirements and pass a blind tasting panel.