Alsace Flashcards
(43 cards)
When did Alsace receive its AOC status?
1962
Name the major wine growing regions of Alsace.
- Haut-Rhin
- Bas-Rhin.
Which mountain range is present in Alsace?
Vosges Mountains
Which river flows through Alsace?
River Rhein.
Name the major villages of Bas Rhin.
- Marlenheim
- Wangen
- Wolxheim
- Heiligenstein
- Barr
- Mittelbergheim
- Andlau
- Dambach-la-Ville
Name the major villages of Haut Rhin.
- Bergheim
- Ribeauville
- Riquewihr
- Bennwihr
- Kayserberg
- Wintzenheim
- Wettolsheim
- Eguisheim
- Rouffach
- Orschwihr
- Guebwiller
- Berrwiller
- Thann
What is the soil profile of Alsace?
The land is a geologic mosaic, with granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, loess, and a local pink sandstone.
What is the name for the pink limestone in Alsace?
Grés de Vosges.
How does the soil in Alsace vary as per the vineyard location?
- Steeper mountain slopes - schist, granite, and volcanic sediment.
- Lower slopes - limestone base.
- Plains - richer alluvial clay and gravel soils.
Name the “noble” grapes of Alsace.
- Riesling
- Pinot Gris
- Muscat (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains, or Muscat Ottonel)
- Gewurztraminer.
Which grapes other than the “noble” grapes are allowed in Alsace AOP?
- Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
- Chasselas (Gutedel)
- Sylvaner
- Pinot Noir.
If a wine label says “Pinot” in Alsace, what grapes are used?
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Gris
- Auxerrois.
What is the grape for Klevener de Heiligenstein?
Klevener aka Traminer (Savagnin Rose).
Which communes can bottle Klevener de Heiligenstein?
- Heiligenstein
- Bourgheim
- Gertwiller
- Goxwiller
- Obernai.
What does “Edelzwicker” mean?
Edelzwicker, meaning “noble mixture,” usually indicates its own inverse: an inexpensive blended wine.
What does “Gentil” mean?
- The unofficial term gentil is a superior designation for blends that contain a minimum of 50% noble grapes.
- Any other Alsace AOP grape may compose the remainder, and the base wines must be vinified separately.
What is the min. alcohol % for Alsace Grand Cru?
- Riesling & Muscat - 11% ABV
- Gewurztraminer & Pinot Gris - 12.5% ABV.
Which was the 1st Grand Cru in Alsace?
Schlossberg - 1975.
Which is the latest Grand Cru in Alsace?
Kaefferkopf - 2007.
Name the Grand Cru’s which allow blending.
- Altenberg de Bergheim - Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir & Muscat.
- Kaefferkopf - Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris & Muscat.
What are the grapes for Zotzenberg Grand Cru?
- Riesling
- Gewurztraminer
- Pinot Gris
- Sylvaner (instead of Muscat).
When was Vendanges Tardives and Sélections de Grains Nobles introduced?
1984.
What is the sweetness levels for VT & SGN wines?
VT and SGN wines are not obligated by statute to be sweet; in practice, SGN wines are always dessert-like, but VT wines may vary in actual sugar and can be quite dry.
What is minimum sugar level for grapes at harvest for VT wines?
- Muscat and Riesling - 244 gms/L
- Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer - 270 gms/L.
