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

In Alsace, which four grapes are considered “noble”?

Answer 2

Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewurztraminer
Muscat

Question 3

Riesling is indigenous to France. True or False?

Answer 3

False.
Riesling is indigenous to Germany’s Rhine Valley.

Question 4

There are 13 soil types in Alsace. True or False?

Answer 4

True. The soils in Alsace are complex.

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Austria

Question 4

What is the traditional synonym for Pinot Blanc in Alsace?

Answer 4

Klevner

Question 4

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

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 5

Continental

Question 6

Which Alsace AOC produces sparkling wine?

Answer 6

Cremant d’Alsace AOC

Question 7

what is an “Edelzwicher”?

Answer 7

A white Alsace wine made from a blend of any of the approved white grapes of Alsace. Vintage dating is optional.

Question 8

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

Answer 8

The “flute d’Alsace” - a tall, tapered bottle.

Question 9

What is a “Gentil”

Answer 9

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

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Vendages Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles.

Question 11

In Alsace, each Grand Cru is a separate AOC. True or False?

Answer 11

True. This has been the case since 2011.

Question 12

“Selection de Grains Nobles” wines must be made from grapes affected by botrytis. True or false?

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What is a “lieu’dit”?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

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

Answer 14

The Vosges Mountains.

Question 15

Machine harvesting is common in Alsace. True or False?

Answer 15

False. Most vineyards are hand harvested.

Question 16

What is a “Graben”?

Answer 16

Geologically-speaking, a graben is a trench that has sunk between two parallel fault lines.

Question 17

What is a “Foudre”?

Answer 17

A traditional, large, oak cask.

Question 18

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

Answer 18

20%

Question 19

How many AOCs are there in Alsace?

Answer 19

53

Question 20

How many Grand Crus are there in Alsace?

Answer 20

51

Question 21

Generally, in Alsace, if a grape variety is shown on the label, it must comprise what % of that wine?

Answer 21

100% - Pinot Blanc is the exception to this rule.

Question 22

What is the principal vine training method in Alsace.

Answer 22

Guyot

Question 23

How many Grands Crus allow blends?

Answer 23

2 - Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf

Question 24

How many Grand Cru AOCs allow the use of Sylvaner

Answer 24

1 - Zotzenberg

Question 25

Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles wines have their own separate AOCs True or False?

Answer 25

False. These are wine styles within the Alsace AOC and the Alsace Grand Cru AOCs.

Question 26

How many Grands Crus permit the production of red wines made from Pinot Noir?

Answer 26

2 - Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr

Question 27

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

Answer 27

Lorraine