ALSACE

Question 1

How is the climate in Alsace?

Answer 1

cool to moderate continental climate

Question 2

what does the Vosges Mountains do to the climate?

Answer 2

It sheltering the vineyards, which results in sunny summers and dry winters.

Question 3

where can you find the grapes that are mostly used for cremant d álsace?

Answer 3

on the plain between vosges mountains and the Rhine.

Question 4

How are the vines trained to benefit on the slopes?

Answer 4

They are trained low to benefit from the heat from the soil and placed in a way they are maximised their exposure to the sun.

Question 5

How is the vine trained on the plain?

Answer 5

On the plain the wines are trained to minimise the risk of spring frosts.

Question 6

what kind of viticulture are most likely in Alsace? and why?

Answer 6

organic and biodynamic.
Due to low disease pressure and the sunny, dry conditions.

Question 7

Why do growers harvest at different times?

Answer 7

Bc they grow different varieties at small plots and they will be ripen at different times between august and beginning of December.

Question 8

what are the two principal appellations för Alsace?

Answer 8

1) alsace
2) alsace grand cru

Question 9

What does Alsace stand for on the bottle?

Answer 9

1) vast majority of the regions production
2) single grape varieties

Question 10

What does Alsace Grand cru stand for on the bottle?

Answer 10

1) must be produced from a single noble grape variety
2) the label must state the name of the vineyard, the vintage and the grape variety.

Question 11

What does Vendanges Tardives (VT) stand for on the bottle?

Answer 11

1) Late harvest
2) Can only be made from one of the noble grape varieties
3) passerillage

Question 12

what is passerillage?

Answer 12

When the grapes are air-dried and shriveled after harvest to increase the sugar levels of the grape

Question 13

What does selection de grains nobles (SGN) stand for on the bottle?

Answer 13

1) can only be made from one of the four noble varieties
2) must have a certain minimum of sugar levels higher than those for VT
3) usually achieved with noble rot
4) small quantities

Question 14

What is the for noble grape varieties?

Answer 14

1) Riesling
2) Pinot Gris
3) Muscat
4) Gewurztraminer

Question 15

What does edelzwicker or gentil stand for on the bottle?

Answer 15

Blended wines made from juice that was not selected for varietal vines.

Question 16

What kind of grapes are grown in Alsace?

Answer 16

Aromatic grapes with no malolactic fermentation

Question 17

How do the producers ferment their wines?

Answer 17

1) Large old oak barrels that do not influence the vine at all
2) stainless steel where you can control the temperature, this is the most common way

Question 18

How do the producers indicate the level of sweetness on the bottle?

Answer 18

sec, demi-sec, moelleux, doux

Question 19

What is the character of a good riesling?

Answer 19

1) medium - full bodied
2) dry with medium alcohol
3) high acidity
4) citrus and stone fruit aromas with pronounced stony/steely character

Question 20

what is the character of gewuztraminer?

Answer 20

1) Aromatic, lychees, roses and sweet baking spaices
2) full-bodied with a rich oily texture
3) low to medium acidity and high alcohol
4) pink in colour

Question 21

What is the character of a good Pinot Gris?

Answer 21

1) Full bodied - high alcohol
2) pink in colour
3) higher acidity than gewürztraminer but less aromatic
4) rich texture and pronounced flavours of fresh and dried fruit and honey

Question 22

what are other varieties you can find in Alsace?

Answer 22

1) Pinot blanc (cremant)
2) Auxerrois
3) sylvaner
4) pinot noir (only black variety)