Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

When did Alsace receive AOC status?

A

1962

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2
Q

Which 2 environmental landmarks are either side of Alsace?

A

The Vosges to the west and the Rhine River to the east

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3
Q

How long is Alsace north to south?

A

185km

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4
Q

What are the 2 departments of Alsace?

A

The Haut-Rhin in the south and the Bas-Rhin in the north

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5
Q

What 3 major impacts does the Vosges have on the vineyards of Alsace?

A

They protect from prevailing westerly winds off the Atlantic
They create a rain shadow over Alsace making it very dry
They provide altitude, with some of the hillsides reaching 1400m

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6
Q

What is the climate of Alsace?

A

Cool continental

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7
Q

What percentage of Alsace is made up of white grapes?

A

90%

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8
Q

What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace?

A

Riesling
Pinot Gris
Muscat (Blanc a Petits Grains, Rose a Petits Grains, Ottonel)
Gewürztraminer

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9
Q

What are the other permitted grapes of Alsace?

A

Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Chasselas (Gutedal)
Sylvaner
Auxerrois
Pinot Noir

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10
Q

Describe a typical Alsation Riesling

A

Crisp citrus and pure minerality. Bone dry, high acidity, high alcohol

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11
Q

Describe a typical Alsation Pinot Gris

A

Aromas of spicy-smoke and sweeter citrus
Full bodied and rich with medium acidity

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12
Q

Describe a typical Alsation Muscat

A

Floral and grapey aromas with a medium body and medium-high acidity

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13
Q

Describe a typical Alsation Gewurztraminer

A

Highly aromatic with sweet spice and tropical fruit, particularly lychee
Low in acidity and high in alcohol, often off-dry

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14
Q

What is Edelzwicker?

A

A noble mixture, often without a vintage date and inexpensive

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15
Q

What does gentil mean?

A

A blend with a minimum 50% of noble grapes

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16
Q

What city is the central hub of the Haut-Rhin?

A

Colmar

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17
Q

What are clos vineyards?

A

Vineyards which are self-contained, and normally represent quality

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18
Q

What is significant about Trimbach’s Clos Saint-Hune?

A

Clos Saint-Hune is a self-contained vineyard within the Rosacker Grand Cru vineyard. Trimbach believes the rest of Rosacker Grand Cru is inferior to Clos Saint Hune so they disregard the Grand Cru status in favour of the Clos Saint Hune name

19
Q

What are the appellations of Alsace?

A

AC Vin d’Alsace
AC Alsace Grand Cru
Cremany d’Alsace
Vendanges Tardives
Selections de Grains Nobles

20
Q

What is the minimum alcohol of Vin d’Alsace?

A

8.5%

21
Q

What is AC Edelzwicker?

A

A blend of 2 or more grape varieties

22
Q

What is AC Gentil?

A

A blend of 2 or more permitted grape varieties, 50% of which have to be noble grapes

23
Q

When was Alsace Grand Cru created?

A

1975

24
Q

How many Grand Crus does Alsace have?

A

51

25
Q

Which Alsatian vineyard was the only Grand Cru in 1975?

A

Schlossberg

26
Q

How Alsatian many Grand Crus were added in 1983 and 1992 respectively?

A

24 in 1983
25 in 1992

27
Q

When was the 51st Grand Cru added and what is it called?

A

2007
Kaefferkopf

28
Q

What is the minimum alcohol of Alsace Grand Cru?

A

11%

29
Q

What are the grapes of Alsace Grand Cru?

A

Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Pinot Noir

30
Q

What are the exceptions to Alsace Grand Cru regulations?

A

Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf allow blending of grapes (not necessarily noble)
Zotenberg allows Sylvaner

31
Q

Which 2 Alsatian vineyards can produce Grand Cru Pinot Noir?

A

Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr

32
Q

When was Cremant d’Alsace created?

A

1976

33
Q

What is the production method for Cremant d’Alsace?

A

Methode Traditionelle

34
Q

What is the minimum lees aging for Cremant d’Alsace?

A

9 months

35
Q

Which grapes is allowed in Cremant d’Alsace but not in Vin d’Alsace?

A

Chardonnay

36
Q

What grape is widely used as the base of Cremant d’Alsace?

A

Pinot Blanc

37
Q

What are the 2 late harvest appellations?

A

Vendanges Tardives
Selections de Grains Nobles

38
Q

When were the late harvest appellations created?

A

1984

39
Q

How are the grapes for Selection de Grains Nobles picked?

A

In tries, like in Sauternes

40
Q

How do grapes qualify for Selection de Grains Nobles?

A

They must be botrytised

41
Q

What does Vendanges Tardives mean?

A

Late Harvest

42
Q

What types of vines produce the best Vendanges Tardives?

A

Vines in a state of passerillage

43
Q

What is passerillage?

A

A process where grapes are dried and shrivelled to increase sugar content

44
Q

Are Vendanges Tardives and Selections de Grains Nobles always sweet?

A

No
Vendanges Tardives can be dry or sweet depending on the passerillage process, so can be more like a German auslese or spatlese
Selection de Grains Nobles is affected by botrytis therefore always sweet, much like a dessert wine