Alsace Flashcards
What are the seven focus grapes of Alsace?
Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Sylvaner, Pinot Noir
Which four grapes are considered “noble” in Alsace?
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat
T or F: Riesling is indigenous to France.
FALSE. Riesling is indigenous to Germany (the Rhine Valley)
Sylvaner, although grown in Alsace, is believed to be native to…
Austria
T or F: There are 13 soil types in Alsace.
TRUE. The soil in Alsace is quite complex, owing to millions of years of geologic faulting and erosion.
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 synonym for Pinot Blanc in Alsace?
Klevner
What is the climate of Alsace?
Continental
What Alsace AOC produces sparkling wine?
Crémant d’Alsace AOC
Define Edelzwicker
A blend of any of the approved white grapes of Alsace. Vintage dating is optional
What type of bottle is commonly used for the wines in Alsace?
The “flute”, a long-tapered bottle
Define Gentil
A blended white wine containing at least 50% of the four noble grapes of Alsace
What are the two categories of dessert wines produced in Alsace?
Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles
T or F: In Alsace, each Grand Cru is an independent AOC.
TRUE. This has been the case since 2011.
T or F: A wine labeled “Sélections de Grains Nobles” must be made from grapes affected by botrytis.
TRUE
What is a “lieu-dit”?
A parcel of land within a single commune that is a legally registered cadastral unit
What topographical feature contributes to the dry, sunny climate of Alsace?
The Vosges Mountains
T or F: Machine harvesting is common in Alsace.
FALSE. Most vineyards are hand harvested.
Define “Graben”
Geologically-speaking, a grave-like trench that has sunk between two parallel fault lines
Define “Foudre”
Traditional, large-format, oak casks
How much of Alsace’s total production consists of blended wines?
20%
How many AOCs are there in Alsace?
53
How many Grands Crus are there in Alsace?
51
Generally speaking, if a grape variety is listed on the bottle, it must comprise what % of the 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)
T or F: Vendanges Tardives wines represent a separate AOC
FALSE. This is a wine style within the Alsace AOC and the Alsace Grand Cru AOCs.
T or F: Sélection de Grains Nobles wines represent a separate AOC
FALSE. This is a wine style within the Alsace AOC and the Alsace Grand Cru AOCs.
What is the name of the wine region on the western side of the Vosges Mountains?
Lorraine
