Alsace

Question 1

What are the seven focus grapes of Alsace?

Answer 1

Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Sylvaner, Pinot Noir

Question 2

Which four grapes are considered “noble” in Alsace?

Answer 2

Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat

Question 3

T or F: Riesling is indigenous to France.

Answer 3

FALSE. Riesling is indigenous to Germany (the Rhine Valley)

Question 4

Sylvaner, although grown in Alsace, is believed to be native to…

Answer 4

Austria

Question 5

T or F: There are 13 soil types in Alsace.

Answer 5

TRUE. The soil in Alsace is quite complex, owing to millions of years of geologic faulting and erosion.

Question 6

How has climate change impacted the historically dry wine style of Alsace?

Answer 6

Sugar levels are rising and more off-dry wines are being produced.

Question 7

What is the synonym for Pinot Blanc in Alsace?

Answer 7

Klevner

Question 8

What is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 8

Continental

Question 9

What Alsace AOC produces sparkling wine?

Answer 9

Crémant d’Alsace AOC

Question 10

Define Edelzwicker

Answer 10

A blend of any of the approved white grapes of Alsace. Vintage dating is optional

Question 11

What type of bottle is commonly used for the wines in Alsace?

Answer 11

The “flute”, a long-tapered bottle

Question 12

Define Gentil

Answer 12

A blended white wine containing at least 50% of the four noble grapes of Alsace

Question 13

What are the two categories of dessert wines produced in Alsace?

Answer 13

Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles

Question 14

T or F: In Alsace, each Grand Cru is an independent AOC.

Answer 14

TRUE. This has been the case since 2011.

Question 15

T or F: A wine labeled “Sélections de Grains Nobles” must be made from grapes affected by botrytis.

Answer 15

TRUE

Question 16

What is a “lieu-dit”?

Answer 16

A parcel of land within a single commune that is a legally registered cadastral unit

Question 17

What topographical feature contributes to the dry, sunny climate of Alsace?

Answer 17

The Vosges Mountains

Question 18

T or F: Machine harvesting is common in Alsace.

Answer 18

FALSE. Most vineyards are hand harvested.

Question 19

Define “Graben”

Answer 19

Geologically-speaking, a grave-like trench that has sunk between two parallel fault lines

Question 20

Define “Foudre”

Answer 20

Traditional, large-format, oak casks

Question 21

How much of Alsace’s total production consists of blended wines?

Answer 21

20%

Question 22

How many AOCs are there in Alsace?

Answer 22

53

Question 23

How many Grands Crus are there in Alsace?

Answer 23

51

Question 24

Generally speaking, if a grape variety is listed on the bottle, it must comprise what % of the wine?

Answer 24

100% ( Pinot Blanc is the exception to this rule.)

Question 25

What is the principal vine training method in Alsace?

Answer 25

Guyot

Question 26

How many Grands Crus allow blends?

Answer 26

2 (Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf)

Question 27

How many Grand Cru AOCs allow the use of Sylvaner?

Answer 27

1 (Zotzenberg)

Question 28

T or F: Vendanges Tardives wines represent a separate AOC

Answer 28

FALSE. This is a wine style within the Alsace AOC and the Alsace Grand Cru AOCs.

Question 29

T or F: Sélection de Grains Nobles wines represent a separate AOC

Answer 29

FALSE. This is a wine style within the Alsace AOC and the Alsace Grand Cru AOCs.

Question 30

What is the name of the wine region on the western side of the Vosges Mountains?

Answer 30

Lorraine