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D3 Take 2 > Alsace > Flashcards

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
Why is Gewürztraminer picked late in Alsace even though it is an early ripening variety?
To achieve fully ripe skins to maximise aromas, and avoid unripe tannins.
26
What diseases is Gewürztraminer vulnerable to in Alsace?
Powdery mildew, grape vine moth and grey rot
27
Quality and price range for Gewürztraminer in Alsace?
Good to outstanding, mid-priced to premium
28
Typical SAT for Gewürztraminer in Alsace?
Medium lemon colour. Pronounced aromas of lychee, peach/apricot, rose and spice. Medium to high alcohol Medium to full body Low to medium acidity
29
Tasting note for Alsace Pinot Blanc?
Low intensity apple and peach. Medium acidity and alcohol.
30
Quality and price for Alsace Pinot Blanc?
Acceptable to good (a few very good). Inexpensive to mid-priced.
31
In Alsace, Auxerrois can also be labelled as what?
Pinot Blanc
32
When does Auxerrois ripen in Alsace? Level of acidity and aroma. For what is Auxerrois mostly used in Alsace?
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.
33
Tasting note for Pinot Gris in Alsace?
Medium intensity peach and apple. Full body and medium acidity.
34
The best examples of Pinot Gris in Alsace can have a rich and oily texture. When aged, what notes can develop?
Honeyed and smoky notes.
35
Why is picking time for Pinot Gris important in Alsace?
Pinot Gris can have a very rapid increase in sugar levels and drop in acidity.
36
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?
Drier styles of Pinot gris. Earlier picking times are taking place due to this, but also as an effect of climate change.
37
Quality and price ranges for Pinot gris in Alsace?
Good to outstanding in quality, mid-priced to premium.
38
Only allowed black grape for AOC wines in Alsace?
Pinot Noir
39
Two reasons why Pinot Noir has risen in quality in Alsace?
Warmer due to climate change and better knowledge from neighbouring regions.
40
Are Pinot Noir in Alsace oaked or unoaked?
Both are common.
41
Name a significant producer of Pinto Noir in Alsace.
Albert Mann or René Muré
42
What is the reason behind Sylvaner getting a reputation for quality and value for money in Alsace?
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
Name the two Muscats that are grown in tiny amounts in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc à petit grains and Muscat Ottonel
44
Most common form of training in Alsace?
Single or double Guyot (required by AOC regulations)
45
Why is the fruit zone trained higher in Alsace? At what height?
To reduce risk from frost (especially on the valley plain). Fruit zone is on 1-1.2 meters above the ground.
46
Why are canopies higher in Alsace? Up to what height above ground?
To maximise exposure to the sun. At up to 1.9 meters above the ground.
47
Typical planting density in Alsace?
4,400 to 4,800 vines per ha.
48
Name 4 top pests and diseases in Alsace?
Powdery mildew, downy mildew, grape vine moth and esca .
49
Alsace is often small scale production. How is this beneficial for the disease pressure?
Smaller scale often means greater attention to detail.
50
How many per cent is organic or in conversion in Alsace? In France?
35% in Alsace, compared to just 14% nationwide.
51
Styles in Alsace range from sparkling through to late picked botrytis affected wines. How is this reflected in the harvest period?
Long harvest period, from early September to late October.
52
According to AOC regulations, are Grand crus in Alsace picked by hand or machine?
Must be picked by hand.
53
What is the aim of winemaking in Alsace?
To preserve primary fruit character.
54
What is done in Alsace to extract flavour molecules and add texture to the wine?
Pre-fermentation skin contact or longer time in the press.
55
What fermentation temperature is used for Muscat, Riesling and Sylvaner in Alsace?
Cool fermentation.
56
What fermentation temperature is used for Gewürztraminer in Alsace?
Mid-range temperatures.
57
Inert fermentation vessels are used in Alsace as no additional flavours are desired. Name two.
Traditional, large oak vessels or stainless steel.
58
Is malolactic conversion used in Alsace? Why or why not?
Typically avoided, the aim is to retain primary fruit.
59
From what vintage is the EU categories for sweetness implemented in Alsace?
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
Is chaptalisation allowed in Alsace?
Yes, within EU limits and as a northerly region used.
61
Max yield for Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris in Alsace AOC?
80 hL/ha
62
Max yield for Riesling in Alsace AOC?
90 hL/ha
63
Max yield for Pinot Blanc in Alsace AOC?
100 hL/ha
64
How many communes are there in Alsace that can be added? What else can be added if not a commune?
13 communes, or a lieu-dit.
65
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?
72 hL/ha for white wine when commune is added. 68 hL/ha when a lieu-dit is added.
66
Max yield for Pinot Noir in Alsace AOC?
60 hL/ha
67
For Alsace Grand Cru wines max yield drops even more. To what?
55 hL/ha and in some cases 50 hL/ha (for example Rangen)
68
When was the grand cru category introduced in Alsace?
1975
69
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?
Noble varieties. Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer. Muscat
70
Name three well known grand crus in Alsace.
Rangen, Geisberg, Schoenenbourg
71
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.
Blends or Sylvaner. Altenberg de Bergheim.
72
2022 Alsace got two grand cru vineyards for Pinot Noir, name them.
Hengst and Kirschberg de Barr.
73
Name two reasons the grand crus were debated in Alsace?
Thought to be overly generous and with to high max yield.
74
How many grand cru vineyards are there in Alsace? 2011 something happened to them, what?
51 Grand Cru. In 2011 they all became individual grand cru meaning they can chose themselves what varieties to permit and so on.
75
What Alsace appendix must have botrytis affected grapes?
Sélection de grains noble
76
What Alsace appendix must be sweet?
Sélection de grains noble
77
What Alsace appendix doesn’t have to have botrytis affected grapes?
Vendange tardive
78
What Alsace appendix doesn’t have to be sweet?
Vendange tardive
79
Minimum sugar levels for Muscat or Riesling when using Vendange tardive in Alsace? What percentage of alcohol if fermented dry?
235 g/L 14-15% alcohol if fermented dry.
80
Minimum sugar levels for Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer Vendange tardive? More or less than Riesling and Muscat?
257 g/L. For than Riesling and Muscat.
81
Is Vendange tardive and sélection de grains noble only for grand cru in Alsace?
No. Both appendix can be used by all AOC wines.
82
Minimum sugar levels for Muscat and Riesling sélection de grains noble?
276 g/L
83
Minimum sugar levels for Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer sélection de grains noble?
306 g/L
84
Average vineyard holding in Alsace is what? What does that mean?
Under 4.7 ha meaning many growers sell to Co-operatives or larger wineries.
85
In France, Alsace wine has a reputation for what?
For producing wines suitable for gastronomy.
86
How many percent of Alsace wines are sold in France?
71%
87
How many percent of Alsace wines sold in France are sold in supermarkets?
Nearly 50%
88
Name top three export markets for Alsace wines.
Belgium, USA, Germany
89
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?
Flute. No bag-in-box is allowed.
90
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?
20-35 bottlings.
91
Name three significant producers in Alsace that individually make almost all available bottlings.
Zind-Humbrecht, Trimbach, Hugel.
92
This top Co-operative in Alsace offers 50 bottlings from 7 varieties. Name it.
Cave de Turckheim

D3 Take 2 (21 decks)

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