Alsace

Question 1

What is the climate in Alsace?

Answer 1

Cool to Moderate, Continental

Question 2

What is the name of the mountain range that protects vineyards from the rain-bearing westerly winds?
What are these ranges called in Germany?

Answer 2

Vosges

Haardt

Question 3

What is increased due to the blocking effect of the Vosges Mountains? What effect does this blocking have on Autumn conditions?

Answer 3

Sunlight

Dry as a result

Question 4

What is a climatic issue in the warmer years in Alsace?

Answer 4

Drought

Question 5

Where are the best vineyards located?

Answer 5

Steep, east or south-east facing slopes

Question 6

Why is there a great variety of soils in Alsace?

Is this reflected in the wines, here more than other regions of the world?

Answer 6

Dramatic geological history

Yes

Question 7

Expand VT and SGN

Which wines must have a higher minimum sugar ripeness ?

Answer 7

Vendanges Tardives
Selecition de Grains Nobles
SGN (usually sugar is achieved through botrytis)

Question 8

What are the two principal categories of appellations for still wines in Alsace?

Answer 8

Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru

Question 9

What two processes might the grapes for the best Vendanges Tardives (VT) wines have undergone?

Answer 9

Passerillage 
Botrytis (maybe)

Question 10

Alsace can be broken into the plains of the Rhine and the foothills of the Vosges, where would vines be trained low and oriented to maximise sunlight?

Answer 10

Slopes

Question 11

Why would vines be trained high on plains?

Answer 11

To minimise the risk of spring frosts

Question 12

What makes Organic and Biodynamic viticulture possible in Alsace?

Answer 12

Sunny, dry conditions

Question 13

Why would a grower’s vintage be spread out over a significant period of time?

Answer 13

Many small plots with different varieties that ripen at different times (particularly with VT and SGN)

Question 14

What are the four ‘noble’ varieties in Alsace?

Answer 14

Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat

Question 15

What 3 styles of wine are limited to the use of the four noble varities?

Answer 15

Vendanges Tardives
Selection de Grains Nobles
Grand Cru

Question 16

What juice is mainly used in blends? These blends will be labelled either Edelzwicker or Gentil

Answer 16

Juice not selected for varietal wines

Question 17

Can blends be included in Grand Cru?

Answer 17

Yes but very rare

Question 18

Traditional makers ferment their wines in large very old oak barrels, what further prevents the wood from having any impact on the wine? What is more common now?

Answer 18

A thick tartrate layer

Temperature controlled stainless

Question 19

When are most wines released?

Answer 19

The next spring

Question 20

Can many Alsace wines age in bottle?

Answer 20

Yes

Question 21

What issue has arisen with the popularity of noticeably sweeter wines being produced, particularly at the Grand Cru level and in VT wines?

Answer 21

There is no official labelling scheme

Question 22

Vendanges Tardives wines cover a range of which sweetness levels?

Answer 22

Dry to Medium sweet

Question 23

How do Alsace Rieslings compare to German Rieslings? Less…?

Answer 23

Less Floral

Question 24

What grape is the most widely planted in Alsace?

Answer 24

Riesling

Question 25

List characteristics of the best Rieslings (body, sweetness, alcohol, acid, 2 clusters, 2 distinct notes)

Answer 25

``` Medium - Full Dry Medium alcohol High acid Citrus and Stone fruit Stony or Steely ```

Question 26

What grape is known for it's pungent, aromatic spicy nose of roses, lychee and sweet baking spices?

Answer 26

Gewurtztraminer

Question 27

List structural characteristics of Alsace Gewurtztraminers (body, texture, acid, alcohol)

Answer 27

Full-bodied Oily Low - medium acid High alcohol

Question 28

Best Pinot Gris from Alsace is rich and full-bodied with pronounced flavour intensity. What are some typical flavours? Acid levels?

Answer 28

Fresh and dried fruit Honey Medium to High acid

Question 29

Out of Muscat Blanc a Petite Grains and Muscat Ottonel, which is more intensely aromatic? Name three aromas. Which is more widely planted?

Answer 29

Muscat B a PG Grape, Orange blossom, rose Ottenel is more widely planted as it crops more reliably

Question 30

Where does Pinot Blanc tend to be grown?

Answer 30

The plains

Question 31

Auxerrois can be compared to which other grape but is a bit spicier and full bodied?

Answer 31

Pinot Blanc

Question 32

What is the only black grape allowed to be planted in Alsace?

Answer 32

Pinot Noir