Alsace

Question 1

In regards to labeling, what makes Alsace unique from other major French wine regions?

Answer 1

Most of the wines are labeled by varietal.

Question 2

Generally speaking, what are the most common styles of wine made in Alsace?

Answer 2

Predominantly white wines made from aromatic or semi-aromatic grapes in dry, off-dry, and sweet styles.

Question 3

Besides still white table wines, what other still styles of table wine are made in Alsace?

Answer 3

Still red + rosé wines made from Pinot Noir.

The reds are light + fruity in style – nothing like Burgundy.

Question 4

What is the sole black grape allowed to be planted in Alsace?

Answer 4

Pinot Noir

Question 5

What is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 5

Cool to moderate continental

Question 6

What is the name of the mountain range on Alsace’s western boundary that creates a rainshadow effect?

Answer 6

Vosges Mountains

Question 7

What is the eastern boundary for Alsace?

Answer 7

The Rhine River, which is the natural boundary with Germany.

Question 8

In which direction do the top vineyards of Alsace face?

Answer 8

The top vineyards of Alsace are on steep slopes facing east and southeast.

Gentler morning sun (vineyards facing east) is better for the grapes than hot afternoon sun (vineyards facing full south which would get sun all day).

Question 9

The majority of grapes that go into Crémant d’Alsace come from where: top of the slopes, mid-slopes, or plains?

Answer 9

The majority of grapes that go into Crémant d’Alsace come from the alluvial plains, located between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine, rather than the prized hillsides or slopes.

Question 10

What factor contributes to the broad range of wine styles in Alsace?

Answer 10

The geological complexity of the soils is the main contributor to the broad range of styles in Alsace.

Soils found in Alsace include:

Hillsides - granite, limestone, sandstone, clay, loam, volcanic

Valley floor - alluvial

Question 11

Of all the French regions covered in WSET 3, which one is the smallest?

Answer 11

Alsace

Question 12

France’s wine region with the driest and sunniest climate is:

Provence
Rhône Valley
Alsace

Answer 12

Alsace

Question 13

The dry and sunny climate in Alsace means that vine disease pressure there is:

Low
High

Answer 13

lox

Question 14

Because Alsace has such dry conditions with lots of sunshine, what viticultural practices are widely used?

Answer 14

Organic and biodynamic farming/viticulture.

Question 15

Vines planted on the slopes:

Machine or hand harvested?
Trained high or low to the ground?

Answer 15

Vines planted on slopes are:

Hand harvested;
Trained low to the ground to take advantage of heat radiating off the ground.

Question 16

In Alsace, vines planted on the alluvial plains are:

Machine or hand harvested?
Trained high above or low to the ground?

Answer 16

Usually machine harvested;
Trained high above the ground to mitigate frost.

Question 17

Harvest in Alsace usually starts when and ends when?

Question 18

What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace?

Question 19

Most wines in Alsace are bottled as:

single varietals
blends

Question 20

What are the two terms used in Alsace on bottles of inexpensive white blends?

Question 21

What is the fermentation vessel used by traditional wine producers in Alsace?

Question 22

In Alsace, modern producers won’t use the traditional, large, old oak barrels. They’ll use this type of fermentation vessel.

Question 23

In Alsace, why is malolactic fermentation (MLF) usually blocked for most aromatic white grapes?

Question 24

What are 2 classifications that can be used by Alsace AOP and Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines?

Question 25

As of the 2021 harvest, Alsace wine producers must indicate the level of sweetness on their back labels.

In ascending order, what are the levels of sweetness that can be used?

Question 26

Define and Explain:

Vendange Tardive (VT)

Question 27

Define and Explain:

Sélection de Grains Nobles

Question 28

Which noble grape is the most widely planted and the last to ripen in Alsace?

Question 29

Generally speaking, are Alsatian Rieslings drier or sweeter than their German counterparts?

Question 30

Describe Gewurztraminer’s palate.

Question 31

Which white grape varietal in Alsace has light pink skins?

Question 32

Describe the palate of Alsatian Pinot Gris.

Question 33

Describe Muscat’s palate.

Question 34

What are the two Muscat varieties grown in Alsace?

Question 35

Which Muscat variety in Alsace is prone to poor fruit set and rot?

Question 36

Which Muscat variety in Alsace is less aromatic but more reliable?

Question 37

What are the 2 principal appellations for still wines in Alsace?

Question 38

In Alsace, if a grape name is on the label, what percentage of that grape must be in the bottle?

Question 39

What environmental issue can be a threat to Alsace?

Question 40

Name three white grapes planted in Alsace other than the noble grape varieties.

Question 41

As of the 2021, what must all Alsace wine producers now indicate on their back label?

Question 42

Edelzwickers do or do not need to be vintage-dated?

Question 43

The 51st Grand Cru of Alsace, _______, was added in 2007.

Question 44

What grape is Clos Ste. Hune produced from?
In which Grand Cru vineyard is Clos Ste. Hune?
Who makes Clos Ste. Hune?

Question 45

In what year did Alsace receive AOP status?

Question 46

Most of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in which département?

Question 47

In Alsace, Malolactic Fermentation (MLF) is normally blocked in all white grapes except for this varietal.

Why?

Question 48

Alsace AOP law mandates that from 2008 forward standard Riesling wines must be _______ in style.

Question 49

The most common pruning system in Alsace is _______ _______.

Question 50

All wines in Alsace must be in a flute bottle except for two. What are the exceptions?

Question 51

Is chaptalization permitted in Alsace?

Question 52

What was the first Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace?