France Overview/Alsace: Day 8

Question 1

Identify the quality levels of French wine

Answer 1

1. Vin de Table
2. Vin de Pays
3. Vin Delimité de Qualité Supérieure (VDQS) (eliminated in 2011)
4. Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC)

Question 2

Significant event for for French wine law in 1855

Answer 2

Bordeaux Wine Official Classification was created

Question 3

Significant event for for French wine law in 1935

Answer 3

Institut National des Appellations d’Origine des Vins et Eaux de Vie

Question 4

Significant event for for French wine law in 2007

Answer 4

Institut National des Appellations d’Origine des Vins et Eaux de Vie CHANGED TO
L’Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INOQ)

Question 5

Define Négociant

Answer 5

Buys grapes

Question 6

Identify three things that an AOC regulates

Answer 6

1. Origin of Grapes
2. Grape Varieties permitted
3. Yields (tons per acre)
4. Yields (liters per ton)
5. Harvest date
6. Alcohol levels
7. Sugar levels
8. Viticultural techniques
9. Classifications

Question 7

Identify the AOCs of Alsace

Answer 7

1. Alsace AOC
2. Crémant d’Alsace AOC
3. Alsace Grand Cru AOC

Question 8

What year was Alsace AOC created?

Answer 8

1962

Question 9

What year was Crémant d’Alsace AOP created?

Answer 9

1976

Question 10

What year was Alsace Grand Cru AOP Created?

Answer 10

1983

Question 11

Name the “noble” grape varieties of Alsace

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Alsace AOC rules

Answer 12

many grapes allowed

Question 13

Crémant d’Alsace AOC

Answer 13

1. Méthode traditionnelle
2. Pinot Blanc-dominated
   3 .Vineyard Classification

Question 14

Alsace Grand Cru AOC

Answer 14

1. Noble grapes only
2. Blends also allowed
3. No Vin de Pays/ IGPs

Question 15

Describe the traditional style of Alsatian white wine

Answer 15

1. Mostly White
2. Dry
3. Little to no oak
4. Medium-high Acidity
5. Medium-high Alchohol
6. More full/dry than German counterparts

Question 16

Explain the role the Vosges mountain range plays in the Alsatian climate

Answer 16

The Vosges Mountains significantly influence the climate of the Alsace region in France, resulting in a semi-continental climate with dry, sunny conditions, especially in the south. The mountains act as a barrier, blocking moisture from the west and creating a rain shadow, leading to lower rainfall and a drier growing season.

Question 17

State the typical style of labeling in Alsace

Answer 17

Alsatian labels state Appellation Alsace Contrôlée, their grape variety, and in some cases a vineyard name.

Question 18

Define: Vendange Tardive

Answer 18

1. Late-harvest wine
2. Rich, full-bodied in style
3. Not necessarily sweet
4. Only noble grapes – PG/Gewurz – higher minimum ripeness than Riesling/Muscat

Question 19

Define: Sélection de Grains Nobles

Answer 19

1. Dessert wine from botrytis fruit
2. Small amounts & only in exceptional years
3. Only noble grapes – PG/Gewurz – higher minimum ripeness than Riesling/Muscat

Question 20

Define: Edelzwicker

Answer 20

1. Often a blended carafe wine
2. Often proprietary name on label instead of Edelzwicker
3. Occasionally a noble blend

Question 21

Define: Gentil

Answer 21

1. Designation for blended wine
2. Minimum 50% noble varieties
3. Base wines must be vinified separately

Question 22

Name one Grand Cru vineyard Alsace

Answer 22

Brand

Question 23

Name the river which runs through Alsace and the direction in which the river flows

Answer 23

Rhine River/Northward