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Flashcards in Alsace Deck (26)
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1
Q

Why did Hugel et Fils change their name to Hugel UND Söhne?

A

Because Germany took over France in World War 2 and everything was renamed.

2
Q

Location of Alsace?

A

Lies between 47° & 49° North parallel
120 km in length
5.8 km in width

3
Q

Vine plantings of Alsace?

A

Vine production: 21,200 ha
Vines planted: 198-396 m
Facing South & Southeast

4
Q

Climate of Alsace?

A

Continental climate. Hot summers, cold winter’s.
Vosges mountains provide rainshadow effect.
Lowest rainfall in France: 15.5-19.5 inches/year
1800 hours of sunshine

5
Q

What is a graben?

A

A grave like trench whose vertical uplifts.

Alsace on one side.
Baden on one side.
Rhine river flows through the center.

6
Q

Soils of Alsace?

A
Granite
Schist
Limestone
Gneiss
Sandstone
Marl
Sand
Loess
Loam
7
Q

Laws for Crémant de Alsace?

Aging
Dosage

A

Wines are aged for 9 months of lees.
Additional 3 months in cellar before release.

Extra Brut: No dosage
Brut: <1.2% RS
Extra Sec: 1.2 - 1.7% RS
Sec: 1.7 - 3.2% RS
Demi Sec: 3.2 - 5% RS
8
Q

Which is France’s first biodynamic producer?

Where is it located?

A

Eugene Meyer

Alsace

9
Q

AOC approved yields for Alsace AOC and Grand Cru AOC?

A

Alsace AOC: 4.8 tons/acre (highest in France)

Grand Cru: 3.3 tons/acre

10
Q

Which year did the following receive an AOC status?

Alsace
Crémant
Grand Cru

A

Alsace: 1962
Grand Cru: 1975
Crémant d’Alsace: 1976

11
Q

How many AOC’s in Alsace?

A

51 Grand Cru
+
Alsace AOC: Communal & lieu-dit

12
Q

Labelling laws for

Pinot Blanc
Pinot d’Alsace
Klevner

A

If labelled,

Pinot Blanc: 100% Pinot Blanc or 100% Auxerrois Blanc or a blend of both.

Pinot d’Alsace/Klevner: can contain Auxerrois Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris
No maximum or minimum required
Can be produced 100% but usually is a blend of several varieties.

13
Q

Difference between Gentil & Edelzwicker?

A

Gentil:
Must contain minimum 50% of 4 noble variety and/or 50% of Sylvaner, Chasselas and/or Pinot Blanc.
NOT AN AOC.

Edelzwicker:
A blend of any grape allowed in Alsace AOC.
No vintage on the label
NOT AN AOC

14
Q

Blending laws for Altenberg de Bergheim?

A

Altenberg de Bergheim:
Can be a single variety or blend of Gewurztraminer, Riesling or Pinot Gris.

If a blend at least 50% Riesling
+
no more than 10% each of Gewurztraminer or Pinot Gris, +
no more than 10% each Chasselas, Muscat Ottonel, Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc, Pinot Blanc & Pinot Noir IN SUM.

15
Q

Blending laws of Kaefferkopf?

A

Can be a single variety or a blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer.

If a blend, 
At least 60-80% Gewurztraminer
10-40% Riesling
No more than 30% Pinot Gris.
No more than 10% blend of Muscat Ottonel, Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc, Muscat à Petits Grains Roses, IN SUM.
16
Q

What is the difference between Klevner and Klevener?

A

Klevner is Pinot Blanc, a genetic mutation of Pinot Gris.

Klevener is Savagnin Rose, a secondary grape in Alsace.

17
Q

On which bottles of Alsace wine is vintage labeling optional?

A

Edelzwicker

18
Q

What are four German influences on Alsace wines?

A

Varietal labelling
Flute bottle
Riesling
German phonics

19
Q

T or F? Grass may be planted between rows of vines to increase grape yields.

A

False.

Grass is planted to decrease yields (because grass competes with the vines for nutrients).

20
Q

T or F? Wines in Alsace may be designated AOC, IGP or Vin sans IG.

A

False.

All wines in Alsace are AOC. in 2011, the number of AOCs expanded from 3 to 53!

21
Q

The Sylvaner grape, although grown in Alsace, is believed to be native to?

A

Austria

22
Q

In which century did Alsace reach its peak of prosperity?

A

The sixteenth (Late Renaissance).

23
Q

T or F? Machine harvesting is common in Alsace.

A

False.

Most vineyards are hand-harvested.

24
Q

T or F? A wine labeled “Vendages Tardives” must be affected by noble rot.

A

False.

Noble rot is not a requirement for late harvest wines.

25
Q

On an Alsatian bottle what can mean a blended product?

A

Pinot Blanc
Edelzwicker
Gentil
Crement d’Alsace

26
Q

Which two Alsace Grand Crus can be blends?

A

Kaefferkopf

Altenberg de Bergheim