Alsace (R)

Question 1

What is important about the bottling of Alsace AOP wines?

Answer 1

Must be bottled in traditional Flute d’Alsace shaped bottle

Question 2

Alsace - red grape varieties?

Answer 2

1. Pinot Noir

Question 3

What grapes can be used for VT and SGN wines?

Answer 3

1. Riesling
2. Geewurztraminer
3. Muscat
4. Pinot Gris

Question 4

How many AOP’s in Alsace?

Answer 4

2

Question 5

What do the Vosges Mountains create for the region?

Answer 5

Rain shadow

Question 6

How does the geography of the Haut-Rhin differ from that of the Bahs-Rhin?

Answer 6

1. Higher elevation

2. Location of best vineyard sites (presumably due to more protection from the Vosges Mountains)

Question 7

How does the geography of Bahs-Rhin differ from that of the Haut-Rhin?

Answer 7

1. Lower elevation

2. Less protection from the Vosges Mountains

Question 8

<p>Alsace - historical background?</p>

Answer 8

<p>1. Isolated region
<br></br>2. Heavily disputed
<br></br>3. Alternating French and Germanic rule, results in wines strongly connected to each
<br></br>4. Prominent Germanic grapes with French winemaking techniques</p>

Question 9

What type of vessel is used for fermentation and aging in Alsace?

Answer 9

Neutral casks

Question 10

The region of Alsace is divided in half between two departmental boundaries. What are they?

Answer 10

1. Bahs-Rhin to the North

2. Haut-Rhin to the South

Question 11

Which grape varieties are allowed to be planted in Alsace Grand Cru AOP vineyards?

Answer 11

1. Reisling
2. Gewurztraminer
3. Muscat
4. Pinot Gris

Question 12

True or False: Alsace is one of the wettest regions in France.

Answer 12

FALSE

Question 13

What causes the rain shadow in Alsace?

Answer 13

Vosges Mountains

Question 14

What area does the Alsace/Vin d’Alsace cover?

Answer 14

The entire region

Question 15

What characterizes a VT wine in Alsace?

Answer 15

1. Late harvest (MAY be affected by botrytis)

2. Rich, full-bodied but not always sweet

Question 16

What style of wine is Cremant d’Alsace?

Answer 16

Sparkling

Question 17

Are Cremant d’Alsace typically single variety or blends?

Answer 17

Blends

Question 18

Alsace lies between the __________ Mountains to the __________ and the __________ River to the __________.

Answer 18

1. Vosges; west

2. Rhine; east

Question 19

Where are vineyards planted on the Vosges Mountains? (topography)

Answer 19

Rolling foothills

Question 20

What characterizes the soils in Alsace?

Answer 20

Tremendous diversity because of ancient geological activity

Question 21

What are the various soil types in Alsace?

Answer 21

1. Marl
2. Limestone
3. Gneiss
4. Schist
5. Sandstone
6. Granite
7. Clay
8. Volcanic Soils

Question 22

What method is used to make Cremant d’Alsace?

Answer 22

Methode Traditionelle (technically methode champenoise or methode classique)

Question 23

What characterizes an SGN wine in Alsace?

Answer 23

1. always affected by botrytis
2. Made in very small quantities
3. Only in vintages when growing conditions are conducive to production

Question 24

Is oak used in Alsace?

Answer 24

Little to no use of new oak

Question 25

Which way do the better vineyards face on the rolling slopes? (aspect)

Answer 25

East-southeast

Question 26

What percentage of wines are made from white grape varieties in Alsace?

Answer 26

Over 90%

Question 27

How are most wines labeled in Alsace? (regional wine law)

Answer 27

By single grape variety utilized

Question 28

What characterizes the viticulture on Alsace?

Answer 28

1. Long, Cool, dry growing season due to rain shadow | 2. Better vineyards are planted on lower slopes facing east-southeast

Question 29

Wines labeled by variety must be __________% of the grape indicated.

Answer 29

1

Question 30

Define the term SGN in Alsace.

Answer 30

Selection de Grains Nobles

Question 31

What characterizes the topography along the Rhine River?

Answer 31

Flat plains

Question 32

How many grand cru vineyards in Alsace?

Answer 32

51

Question 33

Alsace - location?

Answer 33

Northeastern corner of France

Question 34

What effects does the rain shadow cause in Alsace?

Answer 34

1. Drier Climate 2. Sunnier Climate (not necessarily warmer) 3. Long Growing Season 4. Riper Grapes 5. Higher alcohol potential 6. Full-Bodied Wines

Question 35

Alsace - white grape varieties?

Answer 35

1. Reisling 2. Gewurztraminer 3. Muscat 4. Pinot Gris 5. Pinot Blanc 6. Sylvaner

Question 36

Name the AOP's in Alsace.

Answer 36

1. Alsace/Vin d'Alsace AOP | 2. Alsace Grand Cru AOP

Question 37

Define the term "VT" in Alsace.

Answer 37

Vendange Tardive

Question 38

Alsace - climate?

Answer 38

1. Cool continental (due to northernly latitude) 2. dry, sunny summer due to rain shadow from Vosges Mountains 3. Alsace is one of the driest regions in France

Question 39

What impact does the Vosges Mountains rain shadow have on the region?

Answer 39

1. Protects from harsh, rainy weather from Northern France and Atlantic 2. Creates dry, sunny summers