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My WSET L4D3 > Alsace > Flashcards

Alsace Flashcards

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1
Q

Where is Alsace located?

A

north eastern France

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2
Q

What is the climate in Alsace?

A

warm sunny and unusually dry climate due to the protection of the Vosges mountains to the west.

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3
Q

How much of wine production is white wine in Alsace?

A

90% overwhelmingly from single grape varieties and unoaked

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4
Q

Which single variety wines (aromatic) are Alsace known for?

A

Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Muscat
Pinot gris (less aromatic varietal)

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5
Q

At what point did Alsace return to France and become an AOC?

A

1945

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6
Q

At what point did Alsace return to France and become an AOC?

A

1945

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7
Q

Describe the plantings for still vs Cremant d’Alsace wines?

A

still wines plantings have decreased while Cremant d’Alsace has increased slightly

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8
Q

What is the climate in Alsace?

A

the northerly latitude gives a long growing season and the placement inland gives a continental climate

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9
Q

What is the climate in Alsace?

A

the northerly latitude gives a long growing season and the placement inland gives a continental climate with cold winters and warm sunny summers

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10
Q

How do the Vosges Mountains protect Alsace?

A

there are a lot of rain clouds, but most of the rain falls on the western side of the vosges Mountains

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11
Q

How do the Vosges Mountains protect Alsace?

A

there are a lot of rain clouds, but most of the rain falls on the western side of the vosges Mountains - Alsace which is on the eastern side only gets 600m of rain per year

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12
Q

How do the Vosges Mountains protect Alsace?

A

there are a lot of rain clouds, but most of the rain falls on the western side of the vosges Mountains - Alsace which is on the eastern side only gets 600m of rain per year half of what the other side typically gets

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13
Q

What does moderate rainfall mean in ALsace?

A

drought can be a problem in the summer and irrigation is not permitted in AOCs

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14
Q

How is rain spread throughout the year

A

it is spread throughout the year with the wettest months being in the summer (August) and the driest months normally during the harvest (Sept and October)

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15
Q

How does the rain at certain times of year impact grapes in ALsace

A

impacts flowering and fruit set and more rarely harvest

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16
Q

What does Alsace have at this northerly latitude that helps to ripen grapes?

A

high sunshine hours

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17
Q

Explain the Fohn wind

A

another drying influence in Alsace that both raises temps and reduces incidences of fungal diseases. there is a marked diurnal temperature difference esp on higher sites which help to retain acidity in grapes

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18
Q

What do the foothills of the Vosges mountains provide?

A

many diverse vineyard sites at a range of altitude suited for growing different grape varieties

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19
Q

Where are the best vineyards located in Alsace?

A

at 200-250 m and some as high as 450 m. They tend to face south, south-east or south-west for max sunlight interception

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20
Q

Where are lesser quality vineyards located in Alsace?

A

on the plain between the foothills and the Rhine River

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21
Q

What is the “mosaic of terroirs”

A

the fact the soils are very varied and can range from being deeper and more fertile at the plains to the vineyards on the hillsides being lower in fertility and better draining

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22
Q

What do lower fertile soils with better draining help to promote?

A

slower growth and better fruit quality

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23
Q

What do deeper and more fertility soils promote in ALsace?

A

more vegetation (suited for higher yields and higher vol wine)

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24
Q

What are the main varieties grown in Alsace?

A

Riesling, Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris

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25
Q

What varietals are considered Noble varietals in Alsace and can be grown in grand crus and regulated wines such as VT and Selection de grains nobles

A

Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat

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26
Q

What kind of variety is Riesling?

A

cold hardy variety which makes it sustainable to grow in regions with cold winters.

it buds late providing some protection from spring frosts

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27
Q

What does Riesling need to ripen fully?

A

a good site with full exposure to the sun and good drainage and a long growing season

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28
Q

What kind of quality can Riesling produce?

A

very good quality and at relatively high yields

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29
Q

What is Riesling resistant to?

A

good resistance to downy mildew, and fairly resistant to powdery mildew and botrytis bunch rot

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30
Q

General SAT for Riesling in Alsace

A

med - pronounced in aroma and flavor intensity, unoaked
high acidity
good to outstanding
mid priced to premium with a few super premium examples
dry,
med to full body
med alcohol
citrus (lemon grapefruit) and stonefruit (peach) with a pronounced steely/stony character

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31
Q

Describe Gewurztraminer

A

early budding, and early ripening - making it prone to spring frosts but avoiding autumn rains

rapidly accumulates sugar, but is picked late to achieve fully ripened skins in order to avoid underripe tannins and maximize aromas

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32
Q

Why does Gewurztraminer need careful pruning and canopy management

A

it is a vigorous varietal but only moderately productive due to coulure

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33
Q

What can Gewurztraminer suffer from?

A

coulure, Chlorosis and from desiccation if the stems

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34
Q

In Alsace particularly, what is Gewurztraminer vulnerable to?

A

powdery mildew, grape vine moths, and grey rot

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35
Q

General SAT for Gewurztraminer

A

med lemon
pronounced aromas of lychee, peach/apricot, rose, spice,
med to high alcohol
med to full body
low acidity
dry through to sweet
good to outstanding
mid priced to premium

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36
Q

General SAT for Alsace Pinot Blanc

A

low intensity aromas of apple, peach,
med acidity
med alcohol
acceptable to good with a few very good
inexpensive to mid priced

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37
Q

General SAT for Auxerrois in Alsace

A

can also be labelled as PInot Blanc
early ripening
low aromatic
low acidity
mostly used to blend or in Cremant d’Alsace

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38
Q

What kind of grape is Pinot Gris

A

early budding (prone to spring frosts)
early ripening (avoids autumn rains)

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39
Q

what kind of yields does PInot Gris produce

A

moderate

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40
Q

what is PInot Gris susceptible to?

A

botrytis bunch rot, downy mildew

41
Q

General SAT for Pinot Gris in Alsace

A

full range of styles dry to sweet
med to high alcohol due to accumulation of high sugar levels
med intensity flavors of peach and apple
med acidity
fully body
best examples have a rich oily texture and have capacity to age to develop honey and smokey notes
good to outstanding
med priced to premium

42
Q

Why have picking dates become a very important topic for Pinot Gris recently

A

it can see a rapid increase in sugar and drop in acidity

43
Q

How has the style shifted recently for Pinot Gris?

A

it has shifted to a drier style resulting in more styles that are dry (12.5-13.5% abv) rather than off dry (13.5%)

44
Q

What is the only black grape allowed in Alsace AOC?

A

Pinot Noir

45
Q

What has resulted in rising quality with both oaked and unoaked Pinot Noir wines in Alsace?

A

warming climate, learning from other regions (Burgundy, Germany) as well as local demand

46
Q

What varietal is in decline in Alsace?

A

Sylvaner - due to Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are easier to grow

47
Q

What is the consequence of Sylvaner’s decline in Alsace?

A

majority of it comes from old vines (40 years or more) and very little of it is located at the valley floor. this makes it a grape variety that is gaining reputation for being a good value wine of very good quality

48
Q

What two Muscats are grown in very small amounts in Alsace?

A

Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains and Muscat Ottonel (ripens early which makes it attractive to avoid autumn rains)

49
Q

What form of training is required by AOC in Alsace?

A

Single or Double Guyot

50
Q

How is training different in Alsace than other regions?

A

the fruit zone is trained slightly high than in other regions. (1-1.2m above the ground) this allows for more protection from frost

51
Q

How is training different in Alsace than other regions?

A

the fruit zone is trained slightly high than in other regions. (1-1.2m above the ground) this allows for more protection from frost especially on the valley plain and humidity

Canopies are also higher up to 1.9m above the ground

52
Q

How is training different in Alsace than other regions?

A

the fruit zone is trained slightly high than in other regions. (1-1.2m above the ground) this allows for more protection from frost especially on the valley plain and humidity

Canopies are also higher up to 1.9m above the ground to maximize exposure to the sun.

53
Q

Due to the difference in canopy management in Alsace, how does this impact vine density

A

vine density is typically 4400-4800 vines per ha with less dense planting on the valley floor and more dense on the slopes. The spacing between rows has to be wider to avoid shading

54
Q

Where is terracing necessary in Alsace?

A

on the steepest slopes and grand cru sites

55
Q

What are the main pests and diseases found in Alsace?

A

powdery and downy mildew, grape vine moth, esca

56
Q

What does the warm sunny climate with low rainfall help to reduce in Alsace?

A

fungal disease

57
Q

How much of Alsace vineyards are certified organic?

A

nearly 15% (national average is 10%)

58
Q

What is the harvest period in Alsace?

A

it is long from early Sept to late Oct due to ranges of styles and diversity of sites

59
Q

What are the range of styles found in Alsace?

A

sparkling through late picked and botrytis affected wines

60
Q

Which vineyards in Alsace need to be picked by hand?

A

grand cru and vineyards on steep slopes

61
Q

Which vineyards in Alsace can be picked by machine?

A

on valley plain or gentle slopes

62
Q

What are most wines made from in Alsace?

A

single varietals

63
Q

What is the aim of most winemakers in Alsace?

A

to preserve primary fruit characteristics

64
Q

What is done in Alsace by some winemakers to extract flavor molecules and add texture to the wine?

A

pre-fermentation skin contact, or keeping the pressed grapes for longer in the press

65
Q

What temps are used for fermentation with Muscat, Reisling, and Sylvaner

A

cool temperatures

66
Q

What temp is used for Gewurztraminer fermentation in Alsace?

A

mid range temps due to its high sugar levels and pronounced flavors that are not affected by these temps; in fact low temps are avoided as Banana flavors are not wanted in this type of wine

67
Q

How do winemakers keep temps cool during fermentation in Alsace?

A

most cellars are cool enough, however temp control is now installed typically

68
Q

What vessals are used for fermentation and why?

A

inert fermentation vessels are used as no additional flavors are desired (traditional large old oak vessels or stainless steel tanks)

69
Q

What kind of yeasts are used by high quality producers? WHy?

A

ambient yeasts believing they contribute to terroir expressive wines

70
Q

Is malolactic conversion typically used in Alsace?

A

it is typically avoided with white wines as the aim is to retain primary fruit flavors

71
Q

How much new oak is used in Alsace?

A

very little new oak - aim is to retain primary flavors

72
Q

What type of vessels are used for aging in Alsace?

A

the same large neutral containers on fine lees (for freshness) but without lees stirring to retain primary flavors

73
Q

how do consumers know the level of sweetness of Alsace wines?

A

it used to be that they just knew what certain producers did, more recently producers are putting the sweetness level of the wine on the back label

74
Q

When did Alsace begin using the EU categories of sweetness?

A

2021 vintage

75
Q

Is Chaptalisation allowed in Alsace?

A

yes within EU rules- and is used especially in cooler years

76
Q

what is max yield in Alsace

A

ranges from 80hl/ha for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer to 90 hl/ha for Reisling and 100 hl/ha for Pinot Blanc which can lead to some wines with low flavor concentration

77
Q

Within the ALsace AOC what else can be added to the label and what does this do?

A

lieu dit or one of the 13 communes - it reduces the max yields
whites = 72 hl/ha (communes) and 68 hl/ha (lieu dits)

78
Q

What is the max yield for Pinot Noir in Alsace

A

60 hl/ha

79
Q

what are the max yields for grand cru wines in Alsace?

A

55 hl/ha and in some cases 50 hl/ha

80
Q

when was the category of grand cru introduced?

A

1975

81
Q

what is grand cru normally restricted to?

A

single variety wines from one of the so called noble varieties- Reisling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer

82
Q

what are three vineyards also allowed to produce grand cru wines as?

A

Sylvaner or blends

83
Q

When did 51 grand cru vineyards become an individual grand cru vineyard

A

2011 - allowing each grand cru to have its own rules

84
Q

What varietal has applied but not yet been given a grand cru status in Alsace yet?

A

Pinot Noir

85
Q

What is Alsace discussing introducing for single vineyards?

A

premier cru classification

86
Q

What can both Alsace AOC and grand cru append on their label?

A

Vendange Tardive or Selection de grains nobles

87
Q

Wines with VT or Selection de Grains nobles on the label have to be made from what varieties in Alsace?

A

solely one of the 4 noble varieties

88
Q

Does VT need to have botrytis affected fruit or be sweet in Alsace?

A

no, but there are min sugar levels required - about 14-15% abv if fermented dry

89
Q

Does Selection de Grains Nobles need to have botrytis-affected fruit or be sweet in Alsace?

A

yes they must be both

90
Q

What is min sugar level for VT for Muscat or Riesling in Alsace

A

235 g/l

91
Q

What is min sugar level for VT for Pinot gris or Gewurztraminer in Alsace

A

257 g/l

92
Q

What is min sugar level for Selection de grains Nobles for Muscat or Riesling in Alsace

A

276 g/l

93
Q

What is min sugar level for Selection de grains Nobles for Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer in Alsace

A

306 g/l

94
Q

What is the average vineyard holding in Alsace?

A

low at under 3.5 ha - which results in many growers selling to co-operatives or larger wineries

95
Q

How much % of sales is by co-operatives in Alsace that have a high reputation for high quality wines?

A

40%

96
Q

How much wine from Alsace is sold in France?

A

75%

97
Q

What are the top export markets for Alsace?

A

rest of EU esp Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, followed by North America

98
Q

What do all Alsace wines need to be sold in?

A

tall thin “flute” bottle and no bag in box is allowed

My WSET L4D3 (13 decks)

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