Alsace Flashcards
What is the name of the pink variant of Traminer found in the Bas-Rhin?
Klevener
What is the name for the variant of Traminer in Jura?
Savignin
What does the term Edelzwicker indicate on a label?
An inexpensive, non-vintage blend
What does “gentil” indicate on a label?
Unofficial term for minimum 50% noble grapes. The remainder can come from any Alsatian grape but base wines must be fermented separately
What winemaker is a staunch advocate for field blends in Alsace as a means of emphasizing terroir?
Marcel Deiss
How many Grand Cru vineyards are there in Alsace?
51
What was the sole named vineyard in 1975 with the establishment of the Alsace AOP?
Schlossberg
What are the permitted grape varieties in Grand Cru vineyards?
The Noble Grapes (Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer)
Typically single varietal
Which two Grand Cru Vineyards are allowed exceptions to permit blending outside the Noble Grapes?
Kaefferkopf
Altenberg de Bergheim
Which Grand Cru vineyard is permitted to bottle varietal Sylvaner?
Zotzenberg
Which two Grand Crus vineyards are permitted to bottle varietal Pinot Noir as of 2022?
Hengst
Kirchberg de Barr
Which Grand Cru vineyard is permitted to bottle varietal Pinot Noir as of 2024?
Vorbourg
Alsace is bordered by which two other nations?
Germany and Switzerland
What year did Alsace gain AOC status?
1962 (last area in France)
Which of the four noble grapes is the last to ripen?
Riesling
What is the most planted grape in Alsace?
Riesling
What is passerillage?
A process by which grapes are air-dried after harvest to increase sugar concentration
What is Sélections de Grains Nobles?
Single noble varietal
Pass blind tasting panel
Suppress varietal character for botrytis
Hand harvested
Unenriched
Almost always sweet
Muscat and Riesling 278 g/l at harvest
Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Gris 306 g/l at harvest
What are the two late harvest designations in Alsace and when were they established?
Sélections de Grains Nobles
Vendages Tardives
1984
What is Vendages Tardives?
Single Noble Varietal
Pass blind tasting panel
May show botrytis but retain varietal character
Hand harvested
Unenriched
Not always sweet
Muscat and Riesling: 244 g/l at harvest
Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Gris: 270 g/l at harvest
What is the only red variety permitted in Alsace AOP?
Pinot Noir
What is the only appellation that permits the use of Chardonnay in Alsace?
Crémant d’Alsace
What is the sole grape permitted in the production of Crémant d’Alsace rosé?
Pinot Noir (maceration or saignée)
What are the principal viticultural concerns in Alsace?
Drought
Soil Erosion
What is the soil composition in the best vineyards in Alsace?
Granite
Schist
Sandstone
Limestone
Marl
Clay
Volcanic
Name five prominent producers in Alsace
Zind-Humbrecht
Boxler
Melanie Pfister
Ostertag
Trimbach
Hugel
Weinbach
Albert Mann
Paul Blanck
Keuntz-Bas
Josmeyer
The Close Sainte Hune monopole is owned by which producer?
Domaine Trimbach
What medieval city lies in the heart of the Grand Cru vineyards of Alsace?
Colmar
True or false: wines may be chaptalized in Alsace AOP
True
What is the smallest Grand Cru Vineyard in Alsace?
Kanzlerberg
Wines labeled Pinot Blanc may be a blend of Pinot Blanc and what other variety?
Auxerrois
What is the synonym for Chasselas in Alsace?
Gutedel
What is the minimum alcohol level permitted for Grand Cru Muscat in Alsace?
11%
