Alsace Flashcards
What was the last major French winemaking region to recive an AOC status and when?
1962 Alsace
What are the two départements of Alsace?
Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin
Which département is over two-thirds of Alsace’s grand cru vineyards are located in?
Haut-Rhin
What is the major moutian range of Alsace?
Vosges Mountains
What is the prefered exposer of Alsace vineyards?
The better vineyards enjoy southern, southeastern, or warm eastern exposures to maximize sunlight.
What is grés de Vosges. Where do you find it?
pink sandstone
In Alsace
What is a general rule of thumb when talking about alsace soils?
The steeper mountain slopes are generally composed of schist, granite, and volcanic sediment. The lower slopes sit on a limestone base, and the plain at the foot of the mountains consists of richer alluvial clay and gravel soils.
What percentage of wines are white in Alsace?
90%
What are the four “noble” grapes of Alsace
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Muscat (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains, or Muscat Ottonel)
Gewurztraminer
What is synonym of Pinot Blanc in Alsace?
Klevner
What is a synonym of Chasselas in Alsace?
Gutedel
Other than the nobel grapes in Alsace AOP, what varieties can be labeled?
Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Chasselas (Gutedel)
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
What is the rule for stadard Riesling in Alsace as of 2008?
Alsatian AOP law mandates that standard Riesling wines be dry in style
White wines labled Pinot in Alsace may contain what grapes?
Pinot Noir
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Auxerrois
Wines labled Pinot Blanc in Alsace may contain what grapes?
Pinot Gris
Auxerrois
Where would one find Savagnin Rose in Alsace?
What is it called?
What communes are allowed to bottle it varietally?
Heiligentien
Klevener de Heiligenstein
Five communes:may bottle this wine varietally under the existing Alsace AOP: Heiligenstein itself, Bourgheim, Gertwiller, Goxwiller, and Obernai.
What is the term Edelzwicker mean?
“noble mixture” usually indicates its own inverse: an inexpensive blended wine. Alsace AOP wines labeled Edelzwicker do not need to be vintage-dated, nor are they even legally obligated to contain more than one grape?
What is meant by Gentil in Alsace?
The unofficial term gentil is a superior designation for blends that contain a minimum of 50% noble grapes. Any other Alsace AOP grape may compose the remainder, and the base wines must be vinified separately.
When was Alace Grand Cru decreed?
What was the first Grand Cru?
1975
Schlossberg
When did the rules change in Alsace taking the number of Grand Crus from 1 to 51?
2011
What is the smallest Alsace Grand Cru?
Kanzlerberg (3 Hectares)
What is the largest Alsace Grand Cru?
Schlossberg (80 Hectare)
What Alsace Grand Cru is Clos Ste. Hune located in?
Rosacker
What are the rules for VT and SGN in Alsace?
Must be from a noble variety
Must pass a blind tasting panel
Can be labled Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Cru
