Alsace

Question 1

What differentiates wines of Alsace from those of Germany?

Answer 1

German wines remained classically sweet, whereas Alsace producers fermented dry. (Divergence beginning in 1945)

Question 2

What is the smallest region and France and what are the two sub regions (departments)?

Answer 2

Alsace: Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin.

Question 3

2/3 of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located where?

Answer 3

Haut-Rhin

Question 4

What geographical element separates Alsace from the rest of France and what effect does it have on the climate?

Answer 4

Vosges Mountains–rain shadow effect. Alsace is one of France’s driest and sunniest climates. Grapes ripen with greater regularity than the rest of France due to the number of sunlight hours in the summertime.

Question 5

Common soil types of Alsace and is it the same throughout the region?

Answer 5

Steep mountain slopes: schist, granite, volcanic sediment

Lower slopes: limestone base

Base of mountain: alluvial clay and gravel

Question 6

What percentage of Alsace AOP is white grapes?

Answer 6

90%

Question 7

What are the Noble Grapes of Alsace?

Answer 7

Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Gewurztraminer

Question 8

What grapes are allowed in Alsace AOP (Vin d’Alsace AOP) and how are they bottled (labeled)?

Answer 8

Noble grapes, Pinot Blanc, Chasselas, Sylvaner, and Pinot Noir.

Bottled varietally.

Question 9

To varietally label a bottle in Alsace AOP, what percentage must be said grape?

Answer 9

100% (with the exception of Pinot Blanc which can be blended with Auxerrois).

Question 10

What is the most planted grape in Alsace and list some characteristics

Answer 10

Riesling–characteristically dry, more powerful, and higher in alcohol than German cousins. Can age due to pronounced acidity and alcohol.

Question 11

Since 2008, what does Alsatian AOP law mandate about riesling?

Answer 11

Must be dry in style.

Question 12

What is the “quintessential” grape of Alsace, what are other names for the grape, and what are some characteristics?

Answer 12

Pinot Gris (Tokay d’Alsace, Tokay Pinot Gris)

In Alsace it achieves its fullest, richest expression–spicy-smoky qualities with a frame of acidity.

Question 13

Compare Muscat and Gewurztraminer in Alsace.

Answer 13

Both are highly aromatic grapes, lower in acidity.

Muscat–fragrant floral and grapy notes

Gewurztraminer–perfumed, sweet spices, tropical fruit. Higher in alcohol and more likely to be off dry.

Question 14

What is Gewurztraminer a clone of and what other grape is also a clone of the same grape?

Answer 14

Gewurztraminer and Savagnin (Jura) are both pink berried clones of Traminer.

Question 15

What does Edelzwicker mean–in translation and also in reality?

Answer 15

Translates to “noble mixture” but in reality it’s an inexpensive blended wine of Alsace.

Question 16

In Alsace AOP to label as Edelzwicker, what must occur?

Answer 16

Nothing really. A wine doesn’t need to be vintage dated nor does it have to contain more than one grape varietal, but in practice they are normally blends.

Question 17

What does “Gentil” mean and what are the requirements for labeling as such?

Answer 17

It’s a superior designation for blends in Alsace. Requires 50% of the blend to be noble grapes (the rest must be grapes allowed in Alsace AOP) and base wines must be vinified separately.

Question 18

What differentiates field blends in Alsace from other blends?

Answer 18

Grapes are vinified together and produced under a vineyard name.

Marcel Deiss is famous for this approach.

Question 19

When did Alsace Grand Cru AOP originate?

Answer 19

1975

Question 20

How many vineyards are grand cru in Alsace Grand Cru AOP? When were they designated as such?

Answer 20

51 vineyards are grand cru.

1983–the first 25 were designated and then 25 more in 1985.

Kaefferkopf was added in 2006.

Question 21

Traditionally, to be Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines must be ______?

Answer 21

Single varietal wines from noble grapes.

Hand harvesting is required.

Minimum sugar levels are higher than Alsace AOP and yields more restricted.

Question 22

What grand cru vineyards are exceptions to the rules in Alsace Grand Cru AOP?

Answer 22

Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf may blend, to certain prescribed proportions.

Zotzenberg is a historical site for Sylvaner and varietal wines from this vineyard are grand cru.

Question 23

What are the minimum alcohol requirements for Alsace Grand Cru AOP (for each grape)?

Answer 23

Riesling: 11%
Muscat: 11%
Pinot Gris: 12.5%
Gewurztraminer: 12.5%

Question 24

What is the smallest and the largest grand cru vineyard in Alsace Grand Cru AOP?

Answer 24

Smallest: Kanzlerberg (3 Hectares)
Largest: Schlossberg (80 Hectares)

Question 25

Does Alsace have a premier cru system?

Answer 25

No premier cru or intermediary system in Alsace.

Question 26

What are the late harvest wine designations in Alsace, for both AOP and Grand Cru AOP?

Answer 26

Vendanges Tardives (VT) and Selections de Grains Nobles (SGN)

Question 27

What are the requirements for labeling VT or SGN?

Answer 27

Wines must contain a single noble variety and pass a blind tasting panel.

Question 28

Characteristics of Vendanges Tardives

Answer 28

Wines might show botrytis character but the emphasis is on varietal purity. Quality VT wines originate in a state of passerillage. These wines can vary in actual sugar and can be quite dry.

Question 29

Characteristics of Selections de Grains Nobles

Answer 29

Generally these grapes are picked in tries and suppress varietal characteristics in favor of the complexities of botrytis. These wines are almost always dessert-like sweet.

Question 30

What is the only red variety permitted in Alsace AOP?

Answer 30

Pinot Noir

Question 31

What grapes are permitted in Cremant d’Alsace?

Answer 31

Pinot Blanc (workhorse), Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, and Chardonnay (only appellation in the region to allow Chardonnay)