Alsace Flashcards
What are the two départments of Alsace
Bas Rhin
Haut Rhin
What départment in Alsace is known for the highest quality wines
Haut Rhin
What mountain range makes up the western border of Alsace
The Vosges Mountains
What do the Vosges mountains provide for Alsace
A rain shadow
What is notable about Alsace’s climate
It is one of the sunniest and driest areas of France
Name the white grape varietals of Alsace
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Gewurtztraminer
Sylvaner
Pinot Blanc
Chasselas
What are the red grape varietals of Alsace
Pinot Noir
What are the Noble Grapes of Alsace
Riesling
Gewurtztraminer
Muscat
Pinot Gris
What percentage of a grape varietals must be contained in a wine with a varietal printed on the label in Alsace
100%
What percentage of wine produced in Alsace is white
90%
What is the one exception to varietal labeling laws in the Alsace AOC
Pinot Blanc may contain some Auxerrois in the blend
What does it mean if an Alsace AOC wine is just labeled ‘Pinot’
It is a blend of any proportion of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir
What are the characteristics of Alsatian Riesling
Dry, more powerful and higher in alcohol than its German counterparts. Pronounced acidity and minimality
What are the characteristics of Alsatian Pinot Gris
Rich, spicy & smokey, subtle acidity, off-dry palate
What are the characteristics of Gewurtztraminer
Highly aromatic, tropical & perfumed, high alcohol, often off-dry
What are the characteristics of Alsatian Muscat
Aromatic, floral, grapey, low in acidity
What is Klevener
Synonym name for the Savagnin grape variety, can be bottle varietally in 5 communes of the Bas Rhin
Define Edelzwicker
Alsace AOC inexpensive blended wine, not required to declare a vintage or varietals
Define Gentil
Alsace AOC blend that must contain a minimum of 50% noble varietals, base wines must be vinified separately
What grapes are allowed in Alsace Grand Cru AOC
Noble Grapes
What is the one exception to varietal laws in Alsace Grand Cru
Sylvaner may be grown in the Zotzenberg Grand Cru
What are the two late-harvest designations
Vendage Tardives
Selection de Grains Nobiles
Which wines in Alsace AOC can be affected by Botrytis
Vendage Tardives
Selections de Grains Nobiles
What grapes are allowed in Crémant d’Alsace AOC
Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir
What grape is Rosé made from in the Crémant d’Alsace AOC
Pinot Noir
What small region west of Alsace is declining in production and popularity but historically associated with Alsace in political history
Lorraine
What two countries have fought back and forth for Alsace
France
Germany
How many Grand Cru vineyards are found in Alsace
51
What Grand Cru site is an exception to the restriction to planting only ‘Noble Grape’ varietals
Zotzenberg
What additional grape varietal may be legally planted in Zotzenberg Grand Cru
Sylvaner
What is the largest Grand Cru site in Alsace
Schlossberg
