Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Climate of Alsace?

A

Cool Continental Climate

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2
Q

What are the mountains that protect Alsace?

A

The Vosage

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3
Q

What do the Vosage Mountains create for Alsace?

A

The mountains act as a rain shield creating a micro-climate in Alsace making it one of the driest regions in France.

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4
Q

What is the average yearly rainfall in Alsace?

A

500ml

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5
Q

What are the two sub-districts of Alsace?

A

Bas-Rhin (North)
Haut-Rhin (South)

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6
Q

Which of Alsace’s subregions is deemed more superior?

A

Haut-Rhin

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7
Q

What are the soils in the best vineyards?

A

Thin top soils with sub-soils of weathered Gneiss, Granite, Sandstone, Schist & Volcanic sediment

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8
Q

What are the 4 Noble grapes of Alsace?

A

Riesling
Gewurtztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat

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9
Q

What is the one exception to the Noble grapes in Alsace?

A

Sylvaner - Can only produce Grand cru wines from Zotzenberg

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10
Q

Besides the 4 Noble varieties what other white grapes are permitted in Alsace?

A

Sylvaner
Pinot Blanc
Chasselas
Auxerrois
Chardonnay (only permitted for blending into crémant d’Alsace)

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11
Q

What is the only permitted Red varietal in Alsace wine?

A

Pinot Noir

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12
Q

When was Alsace Grand cru first introduced to the region?

A

1975

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13
Q

How many Grand cru vineyards are there in Alsace?

A

51 Grand cru Sites

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14
Q

What is the only Grand cru to not use one of the 4 Noble grapes? What is the grape used?

A

Zotzenberg, Sylvaner

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15
Q

What is the most important variety for Crémant d’Alsace?

A

Pinot Blanc

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16
Q

What are the permitted blending grapes in Crémant d’Alsace?

A

Pinot Gris
Riesling
Auxerrios
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir (only permitted for Rose)

17
Q

What is a Communale in Alsace?

A

There are 13 communal in Alsace, these have stricter rules than general Alsace AOC wines

18
Q

What is a Lieu-Dit (Lou-Dee) in Alsace?

A

This indicates the wines are from smaller plots or vineyards. These wines have stricter restrictions then Alsace AOC and Communal wines.

19
Q

What does VT stand for on Alsacian wine?

A

Vendanges Tardives - Late harvest grapes

20
Q

VT wines in Alsace are usually fermented dry, True or False?

A

True - Are harvest grapes are nearly always fermented dry which increases the alcohol content and produces fuller flavours and body.

21
Q

What does SGN Stand for on bottles of Alsacian wine?

A

Selection de Grains Nobles - botrytis wine

22
Q

What does Edelzwicker stand for?

A

‘Nobel Mixture’ Indicates an inexpensive blended wine. Alsace AOC wines labeled this do not legally need to be vintage wines, nor do they have to contain more than one grape.

23
Q

What for Gentil mean on a bottle of Alsace wine?

A

This is a blended wine, however these wines are superior to Edelzwicker wines.

24
Q

What is the legal requirements for wines labeled Gentil?

A

They must contain a minimum of 50% Noble varieties and the other grapes must be Alsace AOC permitted. All varieties must be vilified separately.

25
Q

What other names is Pinot Blanc known as in Alsace?

A

Clevner / Klevner

26
Q

Is Chaptalization permitted in Alsace?

A

Yes, in all Alsace wines besides Vendange Tardive (VT) and Sélection de Grains Noble (SGN)

27
Q

What is another name for Chasselas

A

Gutedel

28
Q

What are the two best know vineyard towns in Alsace?

A

Ribeauvillé & Riquewihr`

29
Q

What is the Business centre of Alsace?

A

Colmar

30
Q

What are the cities at either end of the Alsace region?

A

Strasbourg (North)
Mulhouse (South)

31
Q

What is the Minimum % abv in AOC Alsace / AOC Vin d’Alsace?

A

8.5% abv

32
Q

What is the Minimum % abv for Grand Cru Riesling & Muscat?

A

11% abv

33
Q

What is the minimum % abv for Grand Cru Gewurtztraminer & Pinot Gris?

A

12.5% abv

34
Q

Name 2 vineyards which permit the blending of grapes in their Grand Cru wine?

A

Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf

35
Q

What is the best soil for riesling in Alsace?

A

Granite

36
Q

Which Grand cru Vineyard does Trimbach Clos st Hune come from? Bonus - what’s the soil type of the vineyard?

A

Rosacker
Limestone form the Triassic period.

37
Q

Name 5 Grand Cru’s of Alsace?

A

Schlossberg
Geisberg
Goldert
Sommerberg
Kessler
Osterberg