Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

What is protecting Alsace in the west?

A

The Vosges mountains.

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2
Q

How many percent is white wine in Alsace?

A

90%, mostly single grape variety and unoaked.

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3
Q

In the 20th century, up to world war 2, what was Alsace a source for?

A

Inexpensive wine grown on the flatter land

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4
Q

When did Alsace finally return to France and what system did they adopt straight away?

A
  1. Alsace adopted the AOC system.
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5
Q

The hillside slopes in Alsace that had a reputation for high quality in the past started being partially re-planted since when?

A

1960s

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6
Q

On what latitude is Alsace?

A

Approximately 48 degrees North

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7
Q

What climate does Alsace have? And what is significant for that type of climate?

A

Continental, cold winters and warm, sunny summers.

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8
Q

Alsace only has half the rainfall compared to the western side of what mountain? How much rain falls in Alsace?

A

The Vosges mountains gives Alsace rain protection. Alsace has around 600mm of rain per year.

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9
Q

Moderate rainfall in the summer can lead to what in Alsace?

A

Drought.

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10
Q

Is irrigation allowed in Alsace?

A

AOC does not allow irrigation in Alsace.

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11
Q

Alsace has high sunshine hours. Why is this important?

A

To ripen the grapes at the northerly latitude.

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12
Q

What does the Föhn wind do for Alsace?

A

The Föhn wind is a drying influence. It both raises temperature AND reduces the incidence of fungal diseases.

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13
Q

On higher sites in Alsace there is a marked diurnal temperature difference. Why is this good?

A

It helps to retain the acidity in the grapes.

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14
Q

At what altitude do you find the best vineyards in Alsace?

A

200-250 meters, some up to 450 m

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15
Q

The best vineyards in Alsace tend to face what directions?

A

South, south-west and south-east

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16
Q

Where do you typically find lesser quality vineyards in Alsace?

A

On the plain between the foothills and the Rhine river.

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17
Q

Why does growers in Alsace speak of a “mosaic of terroirs”?

A

Soils in Alsace vary widely.

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18
Q

Grape varieties permitted for grand cru in Alsace have a collective name, what?

A

Noble varieties.

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19
Q

Name the so called noble varieties in Alsace.

A

Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat.

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20
Q

60% of Alsace Pinot Blanc is used for a particular wine style. Which?

A

Crémant d’Alsace

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21
Q

In order of most to lesser, what 6 varieties is the most grown in Alsace?

A

Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sylvaner

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22
Q

Quality and price range for Riesling wines in Alsace?

A

Good to outstanding, mid-priced to premium and a few super-premium.

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23
Q

Typical Alsace Riesling taste note is?

A

Dry, medium to full body, medium alcohol, high acidity with citrus (lemon, grapefruit) and stone fruit (peach) flavour. A pronounced stony/steely character

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24
Q

Is typical Alsace Riesling oaked or unoaked?

A

Typically unoaked

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25
Q

Why is Gewürztraminer picked late in Alsace even though it is an early ripening variety?

A

To achieve fully ripe skins to maximise aromas, and avoid unripe tannins.

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26
Q

What diseases is Gewürztraminer vulnerable to in Alsace?

A

Powdery mildew, grape vine moth and grey rot

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27
Q

Quality and price range for Gewürztraminer in Alsace?

A

Good to outstanding, mid-priced to premium

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28
Q

Typical SAT for Gewürztraminer in Alsace?

A

Medium lemon colour.
Pronounced aromas of lychee, peach/apricot, rose and spice.
Medium to high alcohol
Medium to full body
Low to medium acidity

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29
Q

Tasting note for Alsace Pinot Blanc?

A

Low intensity apple and peach. Medium acidity and alcohol.

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30
Q

Quality and price for Alsace Pinot Blanc?

A

Acceptable to good (a few very good). Inexpensive to mid-priced.

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31
Q

In Alsace, Auxerrois can also be labelled as what?

A

Pinot Blanc

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32
Q

When does Auxerrois ripen in Alsace? Level of acidity and aroma. For what is Auxerrois mostly used in Alsace?

A

Auxerrois is early ripening. The variety is low in aromatics and has low levels of acidity. It is mostly used for blends and in Crémant d’Alsace.

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33
Q

Tasting note for Pinot Gris in Alsace?

A

Medium intensity peach and apple. Full body and medium acidity.

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34
Q

The best examples of Pinot Gris in Alsace can have a rich and oily texture. When aged, what notes can develop?

A

Honeyed and smoky notes.

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35
Q

Why is picking time for Pinot Gris important in Alsace?

A

Pinot Gris can have a very rapid increase in sugar levels and drop in acidity.

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36
Q

Pinot gris is Alsace are made in full range of dry to sweet but the is a shift in the market leaning towards what style? And how is picking time affected by this?

A

Drier styles of Pinot gris. Earlier picking times are taking place due to this, but also as an effect of climate change.

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37
Q

Quality and price ranges for Pinot gris in Alsace?

A

Good to outstanding in quality, mid-priced to premium.

38
Q

Only allowed black grape for AOC wines in Alsace?

A

Pinot Noir

39
Q

Two reasons why Pinot Noir has risen in quality in Alsace?

A

Warmer due to climate change and better knowledge from neighbouring regions.

40
Q

Are Pinot Noir in Alsace oaked or unoaked?

A

Both are common.

41
Q

Name a significant producer of Pinto Noir in Alsace.

A

Albert Mann or René Muré

42
Q

What is the reason behind Sylvaner getting a reputation for quality and value for money in Alsace?

A

Sylvaner is harder to grow compared to Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc and is therefore in decline and not found on the valley floor. Old vines (40 + years) however are found on the hillsides.

43
Q

Name the two Muscats that are grown in tiny amounts in Alsace?

A

Muscat Blanc à petit grains and Muscat Ottonel

44
Q

Most common form of training in Alsace?

A

Single or double Guyot (required by AOC regulations)

45
Q

Why is the fruit zone trained higher in Alsace? At what height?

A

To reduce risk from frost (especially on the valley plain). Fruit zone is on 1-1.2 meters above the ground.

46
Q

Why are canopies higher in Alsace? Up to what height above ground?

A

To maximise exposure to the sun. At up to 1.9 meters above the ground.

47
Q

Typical planting density in Alsace?

A

4,400 to 4,800 vines per ha.

48
Q

Name 4 top pests and diseases in Alsace?

A

Powdery mildew, downy mildew, grape vine moth and esca .

49
Q

Alsace is often small scale production. How is this beneficial for the disease pressure?

A

Smaller scale often means greater attention to detail.

50
Q

How many per cent is organic or in conversion in Alsace? In France?

A

35% in Alsace, compared to just 14% nationwide.

51
Q

Styles in Alsace range from sparkling through to late picked botrytis affected wines. How is this reflected in the harvest period?

A

Long harvest period, from early September to late October.

52
Q

According to AOC regulations, are Grand crus in Alsace picked by hand or machine?

A

Must be picked by hand.

53
Q

What is the aim of winemaking in Alsace?

A

To preserve primary fruit character.

54
Q

What is done in Alsace to extract flavour molecules and add texture to the wine?

A

Pre-fermentation skin contact or longer time in the press.

55
Q

What fermentation temperature is used for Muscat, Riesling and Sylvaner in Alsace?

A

Cool fermentation.

56
Q

What fermentation temperature is used for Gewürztraminer in Alsace?

A

Mid-range temperatures.

57
Q

Inert fermentation vessels are used in Alsace as no additional flavours are desired. Name two.

A

Traditional, large oak vessels or stainless steel.

58
Q

Is malolactic conversion used in Alsace? Why or why not?

A

Typically avoided, the aim is to retain primary fruit.

59
Q

From what vintage is the EU categories for sweetness implemented in Alsace?

A

Since vintage 2021. Historically there was little consistency about fermenting to full dryness or leaving small or larger amounts of residual sugar in the wine.

60
Q

Is chaptalisation allowed in Alsace?

A

Yes, within EU limits and as a northerly region used.

61
Q

Max yield for Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris in Alsace AOC?

A

80 hL/ha

62
Q

Max yield for Riesling in Alsace AOC?

A

90 hL/ha

63
Q

Max yield for Pinot Blanc in Alsace AOC?

A

100 hL/ha

64
Q

How many communes are there in Alsace that can be added? What else can be added if not a commune?

A

13 communes, or a lieu-dit.

65
Q

If a commune or lieu-dit is added in Alsace AOC max yield drops. What is max yield for white wine with added commune? Max yield for white wine when lieu-dit is added?

A

72 hL/ha for white wine when commune is added. 68 hL/ha when a lieu-dit is added.

66
Q

Max yield for Pinot Noir in Alsace AOC?

A

60 hL/ha

67
Q

For Alsace Grand Cru wines max yield drops even more. To what?

A

55 hL/ha and in some cases 50 hL/ha (for example Rangen)

68
Q

When was the grand cru category introduced in Alsace?

A

1975

69
Q

Alsace grand cru is normally restricted to a group of grapes. What is the name of the group and what are the varieties making up the group?

A

Noble varieties. Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer. Muscat

70
Q

Name three well known grand crus in Alsace.

A

Rangen, Geisberg, Schoenenbourg

71
Q

Only three grand cru vineyards in Alsace are allowed to be something else than a single noble grape variety. What? And name one of the three grand cru vineyards.

A

Blends or Sylvaner. Altenberg de Bergheim.

72
Q

2022 Alsace got two grand cru vineyards for Pinot Noir, name them.

A

Hengst and Kirschberg de Barr.

73
Q

Name two reasons the grand crus were debated in Alsace?

A

Thought to be overly generous and with to high max yield.

74
Q

How many grand cru vineyards are there in Alsace? 2011 something happened to them, what?

A

51 Grand Cru. In 2011 they all became individual grand cru meaning they can chose themselves what varieties to permit and so on.

75
Q

What Alsace appendix must have botrytis affected grapes?

A

Sélection de grains noble

76
Q

What Alsace appendix must be sweet?

A

Sélection de grains noble

77
Q

What Alsace appendix doesn’t have to have botrytis affected grapes?

A

Vendange tardive

78
Q

What Alsace appendix doesn’t have to be sweet?

A

Vendange tardive

79
Q

Minimum sugar levels for Muscat or Riesling when using Vendange tardive in Alsace? What percentage of alcohol if fermented dry?

A

235 g/L 14-15% alcohol if fermented dry.

80
Q

Minimum sugar levels for Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer Vendange tardive? More or less than Riesling and Muscat?

A

257 g/L. For than Riesling and Muscat.

81
Q

Is Vendange tardive and sélection de grains noble only for grand cru in Alsace?

A

No. Both appendix can be used by all AOC wines.

82
Q

Minimum sugar levels for Muscat and Riesling sélection de grains noble?

A

276 g/L

83
Q

Minimum sugar levels for Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer sélection de grains noble?

A

306 g/L

84
Q

Average vineyard holding in Alsace is what? What does that mean?

A

Under 4.7 ha meaning many growers sell to Co-operatives or larger wineries.

85
Q

In France, Alsace wine has a reputation for what?

A

For producing wines suitable for gastronomy.

86
Q

How many percent of Alsace wines are sold in France?

A

71%

87
Q

How many percent of Alsace wines sold in France are sold in supermarkets?

A

Nearly 50%

88
Q

Name top three export markets for Alsace wines.

A

Belgium, USA, Germany

89
Q

All AOC Alsace wine has to be sold in a tall, thin bottle, what is it called? And, one very successful type of packaging is NOT allowed, what?

A

Flute. No bag-in-box is allowed.

90
Q

Alsace is notable for the number of domaines that produce many or even all available still styles. How many bottlings for a medium or larger size domaine is normal because of this?

A

20-35 bottlings.

91
Q

Name three significant producers in Alsace that individually make almost all available bottlings.

A

Zind-Humbrecht, Trimbach, Hugel.

92
Q

This top Co-operative in Alsace offers 50 bottlings from 7 varieties. Name it.

A

Cave de Turckheim