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Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

What are the seven focus grapes of Alsace?

A 
Riesling
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Gewurtztraminer
Muscat
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
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2
Q

Which four grapes are considered “noble” in Alsace?

A

Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewurtztraminer
Muscat

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3
Q

T or F: Riesling is indigenous to France

A

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

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4
Q

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

A

Austria

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5
Q

T or F: There are 13 soil types in Alsace

A

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

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6
Q

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

A

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

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7
Q

What is the synonym for Pinot Blanc in Alsace?

A

Klevner

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8
Q

What is the climate of Alsace?

A

Continental

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9
Q

What Alsace AOC produces sparkling wine?

A

Crémant d’Alsace AOC

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10
Q

Define Edelzwicker

A

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

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11
Q

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

A

The “flute”, a long-tapered bottle

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12
Q

Define “Gentil”

A

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

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13
Q

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

A

Vendages Tardives

Sélection de Grains Nobles

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14
Q

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

A

TRUE. This has been the case since 2011.

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15
Q

T or F: A wine labeled “Sélection de Grains Nobles” must be made from grapes affected by botyrtis

A

TRUE

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16
Q

What is a “lieu-dit”?

A

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

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17
Q

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

A

The Vosges Mountains

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18
Q

T or F: Machine harvesting is common in Alsace.

A

FALSE. Most vineyards are hand harvested.

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19
Q

Define “Graben”

A

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

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20
Q

Define “Foudre”

A

Traditional, large-format, oak casks

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21
Q

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

A

20%

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22
Q

How many AOCs are there in Alsace?

A

53

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23
Q

How many Grand Crus are there in Alsace?

A

51

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24
Q

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

A

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

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25
What is the principal vine training method in Alsace?
Guyot
26
How many Grand Crus allow blends?
2 (Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf)
27
How many Grand Crus allow the use of Sylvaner?
1 (Zotzenberg)
28
T or F: Vendages Tardives wines represent a separate AOC
FALSE. This is a wine style within the Alsace AOC and the Alsace Grand Cru AOC
29
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 AOC
30
In what century was Alsace first incorporated into France?
The 17th century
31
Is Klevener de Heiligenstein a focal or ancillary grape variety?
Ancillary
32
Is Gewurtztraminer a focal or ancillary grape variety?
Focal
33
Is Pinot Gris a focal or ancillary grape variety?
Focal
34
Is Sylvaner a focal or ancillary grape variety?
Focal
35
Is Riesling a focal or ancillary grape variety?
Focal
36
Is Auxerrois a focal or ancillary grape variety?
Ancillary
37
Is Chasselas a focal or ancillary grape variety?
Ancillary
38
Is Pinot Blanc a focal or ancillary grape variety?
Focal
39
Is Chardonnay a focal or ancillary grape variety?
Ancillary
40
Is Muscat a focal or ancillary grape variety?
Focal
41
Is Pinot Noir a focal or ancillary grape variety?
Focal
42
After which war did Alsace become part of the German Empire?
The Franco-Prussian War
43
Name the noble grape varieties of Alsace.
1. Riesling 2. Pinot Gris 3. Gewurtztraminer 4. Muscat
44
Does Pinot Gris make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?
AOC Alsace and Grand Cru
45
Does Pinot Noir make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?
Only AOC Alsace
46
Does Riesling make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?
AOC Alsace and Grand Cru
47
Does Klevener de Heiligenstein make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?
Only AOC Alsace
48
Does Sylvaner grown in Zotzenberg make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?
AOC Alsace and Grand Cru
49
Does Pinot Blanc make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?
Only AOC Alsace
50
Does Auxerrois make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?
Only AOC Alsace
51
Does Gewurtztraminer make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?
AOC Alsace and Grand Cru
52
Does Chasselas make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?
Only AOC Alsace
53
Does Muscat make AOC Alsace and Grand Cru wines, or only AOC Alsace wines?
AOC Alsace and Grand Cru
54
T or F: Alsace enjoys a maritime climate.
FALSE
55
What is the classic flavor profile of Gewurtztraminer?
ginger, rose, lychee
56
What is the classic flavor profile of Riesling?
citrus, honeysuckle, linden, jasmine, apple, floral, petrol
57
What is the classic flavor profile of Pinot Gris?
pear, honey
58
What is the classic flavor profile of Muscat?
grapes, flowers
59
Which mountain range protects the vineyards of Alsace from bad weather brought across northern France by westerly winds?
The Vosges
60
Is Muscat permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?
Sweet
61
Is Gewurtztraminer permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?
Sweet
62
Is Pinot Gris permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?
Sweet
63
Is Pinot Blanc permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?
Only dry
64
Is Sylvaner permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?
Only dry
65
Is Auxerrois permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?
Only dry
66
Is Klevener de Heligenstein permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?
Only dry
67
Is Riesling permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?
Sweet
68
Is Chasselas permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?
Only dry
69
Is Pinot Noir permitted to be used for sweet wines, or only dry wines?
Only dry
70
Of the grape varieties permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles production, two are used much more frequently than the others. Which are they?
Gewurtztraminer | Pinot Gris
71
For an Alsace wine to be varietally labelled, what percentage of the grape specified on the label must be used?
100%
72
Gentil is one of the traditional blended wines of Alsace. What are the rules associated with it?
At least 50% noble grapes, vinified separately--vintage must be declared
73
Edelzwicker is one of the traditional blended wines of Alsace. What are the rules associated with it?
Any permitted white grapes can be vinified together--declaration of vintage is optional
74
An Alsace wine labelled Pinot Blanc can contain what?
100% Pinot Blanc 100% Auxerrois Any blend of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois Any blend of Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir
75
What is another local name for Pinot Blanc in Alsace?
Klevner
76
T or F: Gentil is not a separate AOC.
TRUE
77
T or F: Vendages Tardives is not a separate AOC.
TRUE
78
Alsace Grand Cru is a regional AOC, site specific AOC, or not a separate AOC?
site specific AOC
79
Alsace AOC is a regional AOC, site specific AOC, or not a separate AOC?
Regional AOC
80
Selection de Grains Nobles is a regional AOC, site specific AOC, or not a separate AOC?
not a separate AOC
81
Edelzwicker is a regional AOC, site specific AOC, or not a separate AOC?
not a separate AOC
82
Cremant d'Alsace is a regional AOC, site specific AOC, or not a separate AOC?
regional AOC
83
How has the Germanic cultural influence left its mark on the wines of Alsace?
The Germanic bottle shape, the Flute d'Alsace Varietal labeling The importance of Riesling
84
T or F: Most of the vineyards in Alsace are planted on the slopes of the Vosges foothills and face south or southeast.
TRUE
85
Can Chardonnay be used in Pinot d'Alsace?
No
86
Can Pinot Noir be used in Pinot d'Alsace?
Yes
87
Can Auxerrois be used in Pinot d'Alsace?
Yes
88
Can Pinot Blanc be used in Pinot d'Alsace?
Yes
89
Can Chasselas be used in Pinot d'Alsace?
No
90
Can Gewurtztraminer be used in Pinot d'Alsace?
No
91
Can Muscat be used in Pinot d'Alsace?
No
92
Can Riesling be used in Pinot d'Alsace?
No
93
Can Pinot Gris be used in Pinot d'Alsace?
Yes
94
Why does the harvest in Alsace run from September to November?
Different grape varieties ripen at different times. Some sites are warmer with more sun and some are cooler, so sites ripen at different times. Grapes for sparkling need more acidity and so less ripeness. Grapes for sweet wines need more sugar and so more ripeness. Alsace has 13 different soil types. Cool soils delay ripening, warm soils speed up ripening.
95
T or F: Alsace Communal wines and Alsace Lieu-Dit wines are not separate AOCs, but sub-categories of the Alsace AOC.
TRUE
96
Gewurztraminer is the aromatic version of the non-aromatic Savagnin Rose. What is the Alsace name for Savagnin Rose?
Klevener de Heiligensten
97
T or F: Since 2008, Pinot Gris – other than Grand Cru, Lieux-Dit and dessert wines – has to be made in a dry style.
FALSE
98
Can Muscat Ottonel be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?
Yes
99
Can Golden Muscat be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?
No
100
Can Muscat of Alexandria be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?
No
101
Can Muscat of Hamburg be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?
No
102
Can Muscat d'Eisenstadt be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?
No
103
Can Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?
Yes
104
Can Goldenmuskateller be used in a wine labelled as Muscat in Alsace?
No

French Wine Scholar (17 decks)

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