Alsace Quiz Flashcards by T Bray

Alsace weather threats

FROST

Very few weather threats eg no hail, frost, T-storms since Vosges rain shadow

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The best vineyards in Alsace are on slopes.

In which direction do they face?

South/Southeast

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Central Alsace sits around which latitude?

48˚N

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One of the consequences of Germanic influences has been the shape of the Alsace wine bottle. What is the name of this tall, slender bottle?

Flûte d’Alsace

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When did Alsace return to France?

Post WW I

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Alsace was the first region in France to have, what?

A biodynamic wine estate

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When are grapes for Crémant picked?

Early

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How are vines grown on the plains and why?

Trained high
To mitigate frost

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Alsace principal training method?

Guyot

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How to mitigate frost?

High training

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What are the four noble grapes of Alsace?

Riesling
Gewurtraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat

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Only red grape allowed in Alsace?

Pinot Noir

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Grand Cru Zotzenberg

Sylvaner
Only Grand Cru allowed

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Grand Cru Altenbery de Berheim

1 of 2 allowed for blended wine
50%-70% Riesling

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Domaine Marcel Deiss

Most Famous Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim

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Grand Cru Kaefferkopf

1 of 2 allowed to blend
Gewurztraminer 60%-80%

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2 Grand Crus allowed to blend

Kaefferkopf

Altenbery de Berheim

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Only 2 Pinot Noir Grand Crus

Hengst
Kirchberg de Barr

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1st & 2nd Largest production?

Alsace AOC - 64%
Crémant d’Alsace

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What percentage of Alsace’s wine production is blended wines?

20%

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What is unique about Grand Cru Zotzenberg?

The AOC allows Sylvaner

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How many AOCs and Grand Crus?

53 AOC
51 Grand Cru

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In which century was Alsace first incorporated into France?

The Seventeenth Century

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Klevener de Heiligenstein

Ancillary Grape Varieties

AOC Alsace ONLY
Dry ONLY
Savagin Rose

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Chasselas

Ancillary Grape Varieties AOC Alsace ONLY Dry ONLY

Pinot Noir

Primary Grape Varieties AOC Alsace & Grand Crus Dry ONLY

Muscat

Primary Grape Varieties AOC Alsace & Grand Crus Dry + Sweet Grapes and flowers

Pinot Blanc

Primary Grape Varieties AOC Alsace ONLY Dry ONLY

Gewürztraminer

Primary Grape Varieties AOC Alsace & Grand Crus Dry + Sweet Ginger, rose, lychee

Pinot Gris

Primary Grape Varieties AOC Alsace & Grand Crus Dry + Sweet Pear & honey

Chardonnay

Ancillary Grape Varieties

Sylvaner

1 Grand Cru Zotzenbery + other AOC Alsace Primary Grape Varieties Dry ONLY

Riesling

Primary Grape Varieties AOC Alsace & Grand Crus Dry + Sweet Citrus, honeysuckle, apple, linden, floral, petrol

Auxerrois

Ancillary Grape Varieties AOC Alsace Only Dry ONLY

Alsace Climate

Continental

Which mountains protect Alsace?

Vosges

Of the grape varieties permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles production, two are used much more frequently than the others. Which are they?

Pinot Gris Gewürztraminer

For an Alsace wine to be varietally labeled, what percentage of the grape specified on the label must be used?

100%

Gentil

At least 50% noble grapes, vinified separately – vintage must be declared

Edelzwicker

Any permitted white grapes, can be vinified together – declaration of vintage is optional.

An Alsace wine labelled Pinot Blanc can contain what?

100% Pinot Blanc or Any blend of Auxerrois + Pinot Blanc or 100% Auxerrois

What is another local name for Pinot Blanc in Alsace?

Klevner

How has the Germanic cultural influence left its mark on the wines of Alsace?

1. Flûte d'Alsace 2. Riesling 3. Varietal Labeling

Where are most of the Alsace vineyards planted?

On the slopes of the Vosges Foothills and face S/SE

What grapes can be used in Pinot d'Alsace

1. Pinot Gris 2. Pinot Blanc 3. Auxerrois 4. Pinot Noir

Why does the harvest in Alsace run from September to November?

1. Diff varieties ripe diff times 2. Some sites warmer 3. Sparkling needs acidity = early 4. Sweet needs more ripe = later 5. 13 different soil types

What are Alsace Communal and Alsace Lieu-Dit considered?

Not separate AOCs SUB CATEGORIES of Alsace AOC

Gewürztraminer is the aromatic version of the non-aromatic Savagnin Rose. What is the Alsace name for Savagnin Rose?

Klevener de Heiligensten

Since 2008, Pinot Gris – other than Grands Crus, Lieu-Dits and dessert wines – has to be made in a dry style. True or False?

False

How many major soil types are there in Alsace?

What are the seven focus grapes of Alsace?

Riesling Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris Gewurztraminer Muscat Sylvaner Pinot Noir

Where is Riesling indigenous?

Riesling is indigenous to Germany’s Rhine Valley.

Sylvaner, although grown in Alsace, is believed to be native to which country?

Austria

How has climate change impacted the historically dry wine style of Alsace?

Sugar levels are rising and more off-dry wines are being produced.

What is the traditional synonym for Pinot Blanc in Alsace?

Klevner

Which Alsace AOC produces sparkling wine?

Crémant d’Alsace AOC

What is an “Edelzwicker”?

A white Alsace wine made from a blend of any of the approved white grapes of Alsace. Vintage dating is optional.

What is a “Gentil”

A blended white wine containing at least 50% of the four noble grapes of Alsace.

What type of bottle is commonly used for the wines of Alsace?

The “flute d’Alsace” – a tall, tapered bottle.

What are the two categories of dessert wines produced in Alsace?

Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles

What are the Grand Cru classified as?

Each is a AOC

“Sélection de Grains Nobles” wines must be made from grapes affected ....

by botrytis.

What is a “lieu-dit”?

A parcel of land within a single commune that is a legally registered cadastral unit.

How are most grapes harvested?

By hand

Which topographical feature contributes to the dry, sunny climate of Alsace?

The Vosges Mountains

What is a “Graben”

Geologically-speaking, a graben is a trench that has sunk between two parallel fault lines.

What is a “Foudre”

A traditional, large, oak cask.

How much of Alsace’s total production consists of blended wines?

20%

Generally, in Alsace, if a grape variety is shown on the label, it must comprise what % of that wine?

100% – Pinot Blanc is the exception to this rule.

What is the principal vine training method in Alsace?

Guyot

How many Grands Crus allow blends?

2 – Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf

How many Grand Cru AOCs allow the use of Sylvaner?

1 – Zotzenberg

What are Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles classified as?

These are wine styles within the Alsace AOC and the Alsace Grand Cru AOCs.

How many Grands Crus permit the production of red wines made from Pinot Noir?

2 – Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr

What is the name of the wine region on the western side of the Vosges Mountains?

Lorraine

Crément d'Alsace

Regional AOC

Can Auxxerois be used in Pinot d'Alsace?

Yes

What grapes can be used for Alsace Muscat?

1. Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc 2. Muscat Ottonel