France - Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

When did Alsace achieve AOC status?

A

1962 (Last major French winegrowing region to do so);

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2
Q

Départments of Alsace (north to south)

A

Bas-Rhin

Haut-Rhin

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3
Q

In which départment are Alsace’s best wines typically found?

A

Haut-Rhin

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4
Q

Proportion of Alsace Grand Cru vineyards in Haut-Rhin

A

> 2/3

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5
Q

Proportion of Alsace Grand Cru vineyards in Bas-Rhin

A

< 1/3

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6
Q

Vosges mountain significance

A

Rain shadow

Shield Alsace from rain to the west

Makes Alsace one of the driest and sunniest regions in France

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7
Q

Alsace’s climate type

A

Cool to moderate continental

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8
Q

Steeper mountain slopes in Alsace soil composition

A

Schist

Granite

Volcanic Sediment

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9
Q

Lower slopes in Alsace soil composition

A

Limestone

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10
Q

Base of the Vosges Mountains soil composition

A

Alluvial clay and gravel soils

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11
Q

Percentage of white grape plantings in Alsace AOP

A

90%

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12
Q

Alsace noble grapes

A

Riesling

Pinot Gris

Muscat

Gewurtztraminer

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13
Q

Grapes allowed in Alsace AOP

A

Riesling

Pinot Gris

Muscat

Muscat Ottonel

Gewurtztraminer

Pinot Blanc (Klevner)

Chasselas (Gutedal)

Sylvaner

Pinot Noir

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14
Q

What percentage of a varietal must be included in an Alsace AOP wine to be varietally lablled? What is the exception?

A

100%

Pinot Blanc is allowed to be blended with Auxerrois and still be labelled Pinot Blanc

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15
Q

What does a wine labelled “Pinot” indicate in Alsace?

A

The wine is a blend comprised of any porportion of:

Pinot Noir

Pinot Blanc

Pinot Gris

Auxerrois

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16
Q

Most planted grape in Alsace

A

Riesling

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17
Q

Key differences between Alsatian Riesling and German Riesling

A

Alsatian Riesling is usually:

Drier

More Powerful

Higher in alcohol

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18
Q

Alsace AOP Riesling allowed sweetness level

A

Dry

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19
Q

How many Alsatian communes are allowed to varietally bottle Savignin Rose (Klevener de Heiligenstein)?

A

5

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20
Q

What does the label Edelzwicker indicate on an Alsatian wine?

A

An inexpensive blended wine

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21
Q

What does Edelzwicker translate to in English?

A

Noble mixture

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22
Q

What does the label Gentil indicate on an Alsatian wine?

A

That a blended wine contains at least 50% noble varieties

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23
Q

When was Alsace Grand Cru AOP established?

A

1975

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24
Q

First approved Alsace Grand Cru

A

Schlossberg

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25
Q

When was the second group of Grands Crus establised in Alsace? How many were included?

A

1983

24 vineyards

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26
Q

When was the third group of Grands Crus establised in Alsace? How many were included?

A

1992

25 vineyards

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27
Q

Most recent Grand Cru in Alsace

A

2007

Kaefferkopf

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28
Q

General grape requirements for Alsace Grand Cru wines

A

Must be produced from noble varieties

Must be single-variety wines

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29
Q

Exceptions to Alsace Grand Cru grape requirements

A
  • Zotzenberg is allowed to produced 100% Sylvaner
  • Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf are allowed to blend according to prescribed proportions
  • Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr allowed to Pinot Noir
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30
Q

Is hand-harvesting required for Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines?

A

Yes

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31
Q

Minimum potential alcohol level required for Alsace Grand Cru AOP Riesling wines

A
  • 11%
  • Altenberg de Bergheim is 12%
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32
Q

Minimum potential alcohol level required for Alsace Grand Cru AOP Muscat wines

A

11%

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33
Q

Minimum potential alcohol level required for Alsace Grand Cru AOP Gewurtztraminer wines

A
  • 12.5%
  • Altenberg de Bergheim is 14%
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34
Q

Minimum potential alcohol level required for Alsace Grand Cru AOP Pinot Gris wines

A
  • 12.5%
  • Altenberg de Bergheim is 14%
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35
Q

When were Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles designations authorized in Alsace?

A

1984

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36
Q

Under which AOP(s) are wines allowed to be labelled Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles?

A

Alsace AOP

Alsace Grand Cru AOP

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37
Q

Alsace VT and SGN requirements?

A

Contain a singe noble variety

Pass blind tasting panel

Contain prescribed minimum sugar levels

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38
Q

Prescribed minimum sugar levesl for Alsace Vendanges Tardives

A

235 grams per liter for Muscat and Riesling

257 grams per liter for Pinot Gris and Gewurtztraminer

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39
Q

Prescribed minimum sugar levesl for Alsace Sélection de Grains Noble

A

276 grams per liter for Muscat and Riesling

306 grams per liter for Pinot Gris and Gewurtztraminer

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40
Q

Only red varietal permitted in Alsace AOP

A

Pinot Noir

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41
Q

Authorized grapes of Crémant de Alsace AOP

A

Pinot Blanc

Pinot Noir

Chardonnay

Riesling

Pinot Gris

Auxerrois

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42
Q

AOP(s) of Lorraine

A

Côtes de Toul AOP

Moselle AOP

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43
Q

Côtes de Toul

A

AOP in Lorraine

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44
Q

Moselle

A

AOP in Lorraine

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45
Q

Alsace AOP rouge maximum yield

A

60 hl/ha

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46
Q

Alsace AOP blanc maximum yield

A

80 hl/ha

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47
Q

Alsace AOP rose maximum yield

A

75 hl/ha

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48
Q

Alsace Grand Cru AOP maximum yield

A

55 hl/ha

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49
Q

Altenberg de Bergbieten location

A

Grand Cru

Bergieten Commune

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

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50
Q

Altenberg de Bergheim location

A

Grand Cru

Bergheim Commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

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51
Q

Altenberg de Wolxheim location

A

Grand cru

Wolxheim commune

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

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52
Q

Brand location

A

Grand Cru

Turckheim commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

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53
Q

Bruderthal location

A

Grand Cru

Molsheim commune

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

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54
Q

Eichberg location

A

Grand Cru

Eguisheim commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

55
Q

Engelberg location

A

Grand Cru

Dahlenheim and Scharrachbergheim communes

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

56
Q

Florimont location

A

Grand Cru

Ingersheim and Katzenthal communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

57
Q

Frankstein location

A

Grand Cru

Dambach-la-Ville commune

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

58
Q

Froehn location

A

Grand Cru

Zellenberg commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

59
Q

Furstentum location

A

Grand Cru

Kientzheim and Sigolsheim communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

60
Q

Geisberg location

A

Grand Cru

Ribeauvillé commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

61
Q

Gloeckelberg location

A

Grand Cru

Rodern and Saint-Hippolyte communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

62
Q

Goldert location

A

Grand Cru

Gueberschwihr commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

63
Q

Hatschbourg location

A

Grand Cru

Hattstatt and Voegtlinshoffen communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

64
Q

Hengst location

A

Grand Cru

Wintzenheim commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

65
Q

Kaefferkopf location

A

Grand Cru

Ammerschwihr commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

66
Q

Kanzlerberg location

A

Grand Cru

Bergheim commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

67
Q

Kastelberg location

A

Grand Cru

Andlau

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

68
Q

Kessler location

A

Grand Cru

Guebwiller commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

69
Q

Kirchberg de Barr location

A

Grand Cru

Barr commune

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

70
Q

Kitterlé location

A

Grand Cru

Guebwiller commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

71
Q

Mambourg location

A

Grand Cru

Sigolsheim commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

72
Q

Mandelberg location

A

Grand Cru

Mittelwihr and Beblenheim commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

73
Q

Marckrain location

A

Grand Cru

Bennwihr and Sigolsheim communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

74
Q

Moenchberg location

A

Grand Cru

Andlau and Eichhoffen communes

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

75
Q

Muenchberg location

A

Grand Cru

Nothalten commune

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

76
Q

Ollwiller location

A

Grand Cru

Wuenheim commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

77
Q

Osterberg location

A

Grand Cru

Ribeauvillé commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

78
Q

Pfersigberg location

A

Grand Cru

Eguisheim and Wettolsheim communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

79
Q

Pfingstberg location

A

Grand Cru

Orschwihr commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

80
Q

Praelatenberg location

A

Grand Cru

Kintzheim commune

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

81
Q

Rangen location

A

Grand Cru

Thann and Vieux-Thann communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

82
Q

Rosacker location

A

Grand Cru

Hunawihr commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

83
Q

Saering location

A

Grand Cru

Guebwiller commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

84
Q

Schlossberg location

A

Grand Cru

Kayserberg and Kientzheim communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

85
Q

Schoenenbourg location

A

Grand Cru

Riquewihr and Zellenberg communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

86
Q

Sommerberg location

A

Grand Cru

Niedermorschwihr and Katzenthal communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

87
Q

Sonnenglanz location

A

Grand Cru

Beblenheim commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

88
Q

Spiegel location

A

Grand Cru

Bergholtz and Guebwiller communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

89
Q

Sporen location

A

Grand Cru

Riquewihr commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

90
Q

Steinart location

A

Grand Cru

Pfaffenheim and Westhalten communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

91
Q

Steingrubler location

A

Grand Cru

Wettolsheim commune

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

92
Q

Steinklotz location

A

Grand Cru

Marlenheim commune

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

93
Q

Vorbourg location

A

Grand Cru

Rouffach and Westhalten communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

94
Q

Wiebelsberg location

A

Grand Cru

Andlau commune

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

95
Q

Wineck-Schlossberg location

A

Grand Cru

Katzenthal and Ammerschwihr communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

96
Q

Winzenberg location

A

Grand Cru

Blienschwiller commune

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

97
Q

Zinnkoepflé location

A

Grand Cru

Soultzmatt and Westhalten communes

Haut-Rhin

Alsace

98
Q

Zotzenberg location

A

Grand Cru

Mittelbergheim commune

Bas-Rhin

Alsace

99
Q

Alsace VT and SGB release date

A

1 June of 2nd year after harvest

100
Q

Muscat Ottonel composition

A

Chasselas x Muscat de Saumur

101
Q

Crémant d’Alsace lees aging

A

Minimum 9 months

102
Q

Alsace % Riesling plantings

A

21.9% (1st)

103
Q

Alsace % Pinot Blanc plantings

A

21.2% (2nd)

104
Q

Alsace % Gewurtztraminer plantings

A

19.4% (3rd)

105
Q

Alsace % Pinot Gris plantings

A

15.4% (4th)

106
Q

Alsace % Pinot Noir plantings

A

9.9% (5th)

107
Q

Alsace % Sylvaner plantings

A

7.5% (6th)

108
Q

Alsace % Muscat plantings

A

2.3% (7th)

109
Q

Alsace % Chardonnay plantings

A

1% (8th)

110
Q

Alsace % Chasselas plantings

A

0.6% (9th)

111
Q

Alsace % Savagnin Rosé plantings

A

0.3% (10th)

112
Q

Best vintages Alsace

A

2016

2009

2007

2005

2000

1997

1990

1989

1988

1985

113
Q

Describe Trimbach

A

Haut-Rhin

No Grand Cru use

Clos Saint Hune

Cuvée Frédéric Emile;

114
Q

Describe Clos Saint Hune

A

Monopole in Rosacker Grand Cru Alsace

Owned by Trimbach

115
Q

Describe Zind-Humbrecht

A

Haut-Rhin

Staunchly biodynamic/non-interventionist

Owns GC Rangen de Thann and Clos Saint Urbain within it

116
Q

Describe Domaine Weinbach

A

Haut-Rhin

Biodynamic since 2005

Owns Clos des Capucins

117
Q

Describe Albert Boxler

A

Haut-Rhin

Organic

Labels GC wines after subplots within

118
Q

Describe Domaine Ostertag

A

Bas-Rhin

Biodynamic

Uses unofficial tags (Vins de Fruit/ Vins de Pierre/ Vins de Temps)

119
Q

Altenberg de Bergheim blend

A

50-70% Riesling

10-25% Pinot Gris

10-25% Gewurtztraminer

Max 10% other

120
Q

Kaefferkopf blend

A

60-80% Gewurtztraminer

10-40% Riesling

Max 30% Pinot Gris

Max 10% Muscat

121
Q

Alsace vine training on slopes

A

Low (radiated heat)

Faces best sun exposure

122
Q

Alsace vine training plains

A

High (frost avoidance)

123
Q

Alsace and biodynamics

A

Widely practiced

Low disease pressure

124
Q

Traditional Alsace oak use

A

In ~100 year old barrels

Tartrate deposits on inside

125
Q

Modern Alsace oak use

A

Minimal

Stainless steel preferred for temp control

126
Q

MLF in Alsace

A

Discouraged

Masks pure fruit flavors of aromatic varieties

127
Q

Sweetness trend in Alsace

A

More Grands Crus have noticeable sweetness

Issue due to lack of sweetness labeling

128
Q

Best Alsace riesling style

A

Med to full body

Dry

Med alcohol

High acid

Citrus and stone fruit

Stony or steely character

Less floral than German

129
Q

Best Alsace Gewurtztraminer style

A

Pungent

Lychees

Rose

Sweet baking spices

Sometimes golden color

Full bodied

Oily texture

Low to med acid

High alcohol

130
Q

Best Alsace Pinot Gris

A

Rich

Full bodied

High alcohol

Med acid

Pronounced intensity

Fresh and dried fruits

Honeyed character

131
Q

Best Alsace Muscat style

A

Intensely aromatic

Orange Blossom

Rose

Grape

Light to med body

Low to med acidity

132
Q

Why Muscat Ottonel planted more than Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains Alsace

A

Less rot and poor fruit set

133
Q

Main Pinot Blanc use Alsace

A

Sparkling

134
Q

Auxerrois vs Pinot Blanc

A

Similar characteristics

More full bodied

Slightly spicier