Alsace Flashcards
What 2 grapes is Alsace the only wine region growing at the AOC level?
Gewurztraminer & Riesling
T or F? Alsace became part of Germany in 1871.
True, it was annexed by Germany after the Franco-Prussian War (1870).
What are the 4 permitted grapes in Alsace Vendage Tardives, Sélection de Grains Nobles and Grand Crus?
The 4 Noble Grapes:
- Riesling
- Gewurztramier
- Pinot Gris
- Muscat
What are the 3 primary grapes of Alsace that are not native to France?
- Riesling (German)
- Sylvaner (Austrian)
- Muscat (Greek)
T or F? Edelzwicker may be a blend of any white grapes approved for Alsace AOC Wine.
True
T or F? Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim may be a blend.
True
If a blend, there must be at least 50% Riesling
T or F? There are 13 different soil types in Alsace.
True
The soil types are very complex, owing to the millions of years of geological faulting and erosion
In which century did Alsace reach it’s peak of prosperity?
The 16th century (late Renaissance)
What is the most widely planted grape in Alsace?
Riesling
Savagnin Rose has two versions, which is each known as?
Klevener (non-aromatic)
Gewurztraminer (aromatic)
pink-skinned
T or F? Grass may be planted between rows of vines to increase grape yields.
False
Grass decreases yields by competing with the vines for nutrients.
What is the climate of Alsace?
Continental, with large seasonal and diurnal temperature swings
“Tokay d’ Alsace” is a former name for?
Pinot Gris
“Tokay d’ Alsace” is no longer allowed under EU law
What is the impact of global climate change on the dryness of Alsace Wines?
Sugar levels are rising and more off-dry wines are being produced
What is the AOC for sparkling wine in Alsace?
Crémant d’Alsace
What is the effect of the Vosges Mountains on the vineyards in Alsace?
The Vosges Mountains provide a rain shadow that ensures mainly sunny and dry growing conditions.
T or F? It is common for Alsace wines to be aged in new oak and undergo malolactic fermentation.
False
Neither practice is common in Alsace
T or F? Machine harvesting is common in Alsace.
False
Most vineyards are hand harvested due to the steepness of the slopes.
Auxerrois Blanc is a cross between what 2 grapes?
Gouis Blanc and Pinot
What is the difference between Klevner and Klevener?
Klevner is Pinot Blanc a genetic offshoot of Pinot Gris
Klevener is the non-aromatic version of Savignan Rose, a secondary grape in Alsace
T or F? A wine labeled “Selections de Grains Nobles” MUST be made from grapes affected by Botrytis.
True
Klevner or Pinot Vrai is more commonly known as?
Pinot Blanc
T or F? Crémant d’Alsace is primarily made from Chardonnay
False
Crémant d’Alsace is mostly Pinot Blanc, but Chardonnay can be used.
What red grape is permitted in Alsace?
Pinot Noir
On which bottles of wines is vintage labeling optional?
Edelzwicker
Grand Cru Kaefferkopf, when bottled as a blend, must contain a majority of what grape?
Gewurztraminer
The Sylvaner grape is believed to be native to?
Austria
T or F? Wines in Alsace may be designated AOC, IGP or Vin Sans IG.
False
All wines in Alsace are AOC.
Is Riesling indigenous to France?
No. Riesling is from Germany (the Rhine Valley).
Klevener is also known as?
Savagnin Rose
T or F? Sylvaner is permitted in Alsace Grands Crus.
Only in Grand Crus vineyard of Zotzentberg
What are the four ancillary grapes in Alsace?
- Chardonnay
- Chasselas
- Auxerrois
- Savagnin Rose (Klevener)
What are the 4 Noble Grapes in Alsace?
- Riesling
- Pinot Gris
- Gewurztramier
- Muscat
Zotzentberg is an exceptional Grand Cru vineyard because?
Sylvaner is permitted here
T or F? Chaptilization is common in Alsace.
False
The technique is disappearing as a result of global warming.
What type of bottle is commonly used for wine in both Germany and Alsace?
The “Flute”, a long tapered bottle
In an effort to combat Phylloxera in Alsace, in the late 19th century vignerons were encouraged to?
Plant high yield, low-quality hybrids that could resist the pest
T or F? In Alsace, Grand Crus wines may be red or white.
False
Grand Cru wines in Alsace are white only.
What are the 2 Muscats grown in Alsace?
- Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc - considered higher quality of the 2
- Muscat Ottonel
In which direction do the best slopes in Alsace face?
South/Southeast
T or F? Alsace is one of only 2 regions in France where Riesling is permitted.
True
Riesling has only recently been permitted in Languedoc.
T or F? As a result of global climate change, Pinot Noir is becoming harder to grow in Alsace.
False
Pinot Noir is becoming easier to grow and darker in color.
T or F? The grapes for the Alsace AOC can be sourced from any part of Alsace.
True
What are the aging requirements of Crémant d’Alsace?
9 months sur lie plus 3 months in the cellar (12 months total)
T or F? A wine labeled “Vendage Tardives” must be affected by noble rot.
False
Noble rot is not a requirement for VT late harvest wines.
T or F? Alsace is the most northerly wine region in France.
False
Champagne: around the 49.5th parallel. Alsace = 47th and 49th parallels.
What is a “Graben”?
A grave like trench caused by geologic uplift then collapsing on parallel fault lines. In Alsace the faulting was followed by erosion creating a complex network of soil.
What are the 4 German influences on wine in Alsace?
- varietal labeling
- flute bottle
- Riesling
- German phonics
T or F? In Alsace, Chardonnay is used mainly as a component of a blend.
True
Chardonnay is used in Crémant d’Alsace.
T or F? A wine labeled Alsace AOC can be still or sparkling.
False
Sparkling wines are labeled Crémant d’Alsace AOC.
What percentage of Alsace wine is white?
89%
T or F? In Alsace, each Grand Cru has its own AOC status.
True
What are the seven main or focal grapes in Alsace?
- Riesling
- Pinot Gris
- Gewurztraminer
- Muscat (à Petits Grains Blanc/Ottonel)
- Sylvaner
- Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
- Pinot Noir
T or F? The AOC approved yields for Alsace are the highest in France.
True
The are generally 80 hi/ha for whites.
How many times did Alsace flip nationalities between Germany and France?
6 times
Alsace was originally part of what country?
Germany
How much rain does Alsace get annually?
Alsace averages 15.5” to 19.5” of rain annually.
Did the Rhine River form the Rhine River Valley?
No, it did not
It is the Rhine Graben.
What grape grew wild in the Rhine River Valley?
Riesling
What river forms the border between Alsace and Germany?
The Rhine River
What parallels does Alsace lie between?
It lies between the 47th and 49th parallels north.
What grape is Auxerrois a cross of?
Gouis Blanc & Pinot
It is fairly neutral with high sugar and low acid.
What grape is Klevener de Heiligenstein?
It is the non-aromatic version of Savagnin Rose
It is a genetic offshoot of Savagnin Blanc
What clones of Muscat are grown in Alsace?
Muscat à Petit Grains & Muscat Ottonel
What 2 Alsace Grand Crus can produce blends?
- Altenberg de Bergheim (50% Riesling)
- Kaefferkopf (60-80% Gewurztramier)
What grape varieties can be used in the Alsace Grand Crus AOCs ?
- Riesling
- Pinot Gris
- Gewurztraminer
- Muscat
- Sylvaner (Zotzenberg AOC only)
What is a lieu-dit?
It is a named plot of land with distinguishable characteristics.
How many DGCs are a part of the Alsace AOC?
13
How many AOCs are there in Alsace?
53 total
- Alsace AOC - Regional AOC, can have village or commune name on it
- Crémant d’Alsace (white or rosé)
- 51 Grand Cru AOCs - white only (6% of production)
What is Vendage Tardives (VT)?
- Late harvest sweet wine
- Must be a noble variety grape
- May or may not have Botrytis
What is Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN)?
- Sweet wine using botrytized grapes
- Only Noble grape varieties can be used
- Picked berry by berry
Describe the Gentil blend?
- Minimum of 50% noble grapes
- Must be vinified separately
- Requires tasting panel approval
- Vintage must appear on label
Describe the Edelzwicker blend?
- blend of any approved white grape of Alsace
- Vinified separately or together
- Vintage is optional
- Entry level blend
What grapes go into a bottle of Pinot d’Alsace?
- 100% Pinot Blanc
- 100% Auxerrois Blanc
- 100% Pinot Gris
- 100% Pinot Noir (vinified as a white wine)
- a blend of any or all
What grapes go into a bottle of Pinot Blanc?
- 100% Pinot Blanc
- 100% Auxerrois Blanc
- a blend of both
How much of Alsace’s total production is varietally labeled?
80%
In Alsace if it is varietally labelled what percentage of that variety must be in the bottle?
100%
Are Alsace wines dry or sweet by tradition?
Dry
Describe Crémant d’Alsace production: What method is used, aging requirements, grape varietal used?
- Made in the methode traditionelle
- Grapes are hand picked & whole cluster pressed by law
- 9 months sur lie aging
- White is primarily Pinot Blanc
Is Crémant d’Alsace a blended wine?
It can be a blend or a single variety.
Describe the two Muscat versions in Alsace?
- One of the oldest grapes in the world
- Two versions grown in Alsace
Muscat à Petit Grains (15th century)
Muscat Ottonel (19th century) - They have high sugar levels & high extract levels
- Ottonel is less aromatic and acidic than Muscat à Petit Grains
Describe Sylvaner
- Native to Austria
- It is a Savagnin Blanc & Osterreichish Weiss cross
- Little aroma, ripens with high acid levels
Describe Pinot Noir: what are its origins and some of its characteristics?
- Origin undetermined (Burgundy; possibly the Jura)
- Genetically looks like a Pinot-Savagnin Blanc kinship
- Ripens with good acidity and moderate tannins
Where did Pinot Gris originate and what are some basic characteristics?
- Native to France
- Genetic mutation of Pinot Noir
- High extract levels, low acidity
Describe Pinot Blanc: what are its origins, its other names, and what it’s used for in Alsace?
- Native to France
- AKA Pinot Vrai or Klevner
- Genetic mutation of Pinot Gris
- Second most widely planted grape in Alsace
- Largely used for Crémant d’Alsace production
In keeping with German tradition what 2 items does the Alsace list on the bottle?
producer & grape variety
What is Chardonnay a cross of?
Gouais Blanc & Pinot
What is the climate of Alsace?
Continental
T or F? Alsace receives some of the lowest rainfall in France.
True, between 15.5” and 19.5”
In 1941, 30% of all vineyards in Alsace were planted to?
French-American hybrids
A northerly climate that is bathed in sunshine results in?
Grapes that ripen slowly with intense aromatics
Describe Gewurztraminer.
- Origin is unlikely France.
- The aromatic version of Savagnin Rose, which is a pink skinned mutation of Savagnin Blanc.
What grapes are the parents of Sylvaner?
Savagnin Blanc & Osterreichish Weiss
Is Chardonnay indigenous to France?
Yes
In Alsace it is used as a blending partner in Crémant d’Alsace.
In Alsace what percentage of wines are blends?
20%
T or F? Gewurztraminer is the aromatic version of Savagnin Rose; Klevener is the non-aromatic version?
True
T or F? Pinot Noir production is increasing in Alsace due to climate change.
True
What is the length and width of Alsace?
75 miles north to south and 3 miles east to west
What parallels are the limits of the vine?
Between 30 and 50 degrees north and south
Where are the vineyards planted in Alsace?
On the Vosges Mountain foothills between 660 and 1320 feet
Describe the 4 seasons of Alsace.
Spring - Mild and often accompanied by frost
Summer - Warm, dry & sunny with sporadic thunderstorms and hail
Fall - Humid (enabling noble rot) chances of thunderstorms and hail
Winter - cold, puts vines in true dormancy. Riesling needs this to survive
What are colluvial soils?
Slope wash
What are alluvial soils?
Materials dropped by streams as they finish their downhill run. Usually very rich in organic material
What are loess and loam soils?
Wind deposits that are comprised of silt and sand with very little clay. They are loose and rich with good water retention and make excellent cropland.
Where does the grape Chasselas come from?
It is native to the area around Lake Geneva.
What are the production stats of Alsace wine by color and how much is consumed vs. exported?
90% white
10% red/rosé
75% consumed in France
25% exported
T or F? Most of the large wine producers in Alsace are family owned?
True
