Alsace

Question 1

Why are the Vosges mountains important

Answer 1

They cause a rain shadow effect resulting in Alsace having a continental climate and one of the driest wine producing areas in France

Question 2

Alsace is subdivided into which two regions

Answer 2

Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin

Question 3

How many main soil types appear in Alsace?

Answer 3

7

Question 4

Which main soil types appear in Alsace?

Answer 4

Limestone
Clay
Marl
Granite
Schiste
Sandstone
Loess
Alluvial

Question 5

What are the permitted grape varieties in Alsace?

Answer 5

Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Pinot Blanc
Sylvaner
Chasselas
Pinot Noir

Question 6

What is Chasselas also known as in Alsace?

Answer 6

Gutedel

Question 7

Pinot Blance is also known as what in Alsace?

Answer 7

Klevner or Clevner

Question 8

What are the noble varieties in Alsace

Answer 8

Pinot Blanc
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Mucat

Question 9

What is the appellation for Sparkling wines in Alsace? And what are the permitted grapes

Answer 9

AC Cremant
Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay

Question 10

What is the most common grape used in AC cremant?

Answer 10

Pinot Blanc

Question 11

In what year was AOC Alsace Grand Cru introduced? And which was the 1st Vineyard?

Answer 11

1975
Schlossberg

Question 12

What is Gentil?

Answer 12

AOC Alsace wines fulfilling the superior-quality blending standards. This blending must have at least 50% of Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris and/or Gewurztraminer, and the rest can be either Sylvaner, Chasselas and/or Pinot Blanc.
Before blending, each variety must be vinified separately and must officially qualify as an AOC Alsace wine. The vintage year must appear on the Gentil label and can only be sold after being tasted and approved.

Question 13

What is AOC Edelwicker?

Answer 13

Edelzwicker is commonly used to designate any blending of white AOC Alsace grape varieties, without any indication of percentage.
The varieties can be vinified together or separately.
The vintage year on labels is not obligatory.

Question 14

Which is the most widely planted variety in Alsace?

Answer 14

Riesling

Question 15

In which type of soil does Riesling do best?

Answer 15

Granite

Question 16

What is gres de vosges?

Answer 16

Pink sandstone found in Alsace

Question 17

Which is the last Nobel variety to ripen in Alsace?

Answer 17

Riesling

Question 18

Which is the smallest Grand Cru and largest Grand Cru? And their hectares

Answer 18

Kanzlerberg (3ha)
Sclossberg (80ha)

Question 19

What is the only wine in Alsace permitted to use burgundy style bottles?

Answer 19

Pinot Noir

Question 20

What does Vendage Tardive mean?

Answer 20

Late Harvest.
In good years, grapes are left on the vines to overripen and attract Botrytis.

Question 21

Which grapes are permitted to use in VT?

Answer 21

Rielsing, Muscat, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer with Gewurztraminer being most common

Question 22

What is the minimum sugar content for VT wines with Riesling or Muscat?

Answer 22

244g/litre

Question 23

What is the minimum sugar content for VT wines containing Gewurztraminer or Pinot Gris?

Answer 23

270g/litre

Question 24

Which Grand Cru Vineyard is permitted to use Sylvaner grape variety?

Answer 24

Zotzenberg

Question 25

What is SGN?

Answer 25

Selection de Grains Nobles.
Grapes are left to ripen and attract Botrytis.

Question 26

What are the grapes permitted in SGN?

Answer 26

Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris

Question 27

What is the minimum sugar content at harvest for SGN wines?

Answer 27

276g/litre for Riesling and Muscat
306g/litre for Gewurztraminer and pinot gris.