Alsace Flashcards
Prior to annexation by France in the 17th Century, Alsace was ruled by what empire?
German Empire
What two vine diseases/threats spurred growers to favor hybrid varieties over vinifera?
Powdery Mildew; Phylloxera
How was the Alsatian wine market stifled during WWII?
German occupation rendered exports impossible
What major climate type is found in Alsace?
Continental
What makes late harvest wines possible in Alsace?
Humidity in autumn
The region of Alsace lies between what latitudes?
47.5ºN - 49ºN
How does Alsace’s latitude affect the wine growing season?
The growing season is both long and cool
What geographic feature creates a rain shadow in Alsace?
Vosges Mountains
Alsace’s best vineyards share what aspect/facing?
South - south, southeast, or southwest
Most of Alsace’s vineyards lie within what valley?
Muenster Valley
Alsace spans what two départements?
Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin
Which département is more northerly?
Bas-Rhin
In which département are the majority of producers located?
Haut-Rhin
What river forms Alsace’s eastern border with Germany?
Rhine River
In addition to creating a rainshadow, the Vosges Mountains provide protection from what weather hazard? Why is this important?
Wind
Adds excess pressure on vines in an already marginal climate
Can cause poor fruit set and/or low yields
About how many major soils formations are found in Alsace?
20
Are you more likely to find thin top soils on lower or higher slopes?
Higher slopes
The soils on the lower slopes are derived from what ancient landform?
Rhine River Delta
“Grés de Vosges” is a form of hat sedimentary rock?
Sandstone
What soil type characterizes the plains/valley floor?
Alluvial soils
How do clay and marl affect the perceived structure in a finished wine?
Broad flavor; more body, weight
“Elegance” and “finesse” are commonly associated with what soil types?
Limestone, sandstone
What soils may be responsible for “oily,” “petrol,” and “gunflint” aromas in wines?
Flint, shale, schist, slate
What varietal blanc wines are not permitted as blends? (100% variety)
Auxerrois, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat Ottonel, Chasselas, Sylvaner, Savagnin Rose (Klevener de Heiligenstein)
What varietally labelled blanc wines may be blends?
Muscat: Muscat Blanc/Rosé à Petits Grains, Ottonel
Pinot Blanc: Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois
Pinot (Klevner): Pinot Blanc/Gris/Noir, Auxerrois
Chasselas may be encountered under what other name in Alsace?
Gutedel
Chardonnay in Alsace may be used in what AOP blend?
Crémant d’Alsace AOP
What is the most planted varietal in Alsace, and at what percentage?
Riesling, 21.8% (~22%)
Which of the following varietals holds a higher percentage of plantings in Alsace: Gewurztraminer – Pinot Gris
Gewurztraminer
List the following in descending order of plantings: Muscat
Pinot Noir
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
Sylvaner
Muscat
In what département are the majority of Sylvaner plantings found?
Bas-Rhin
In what département are the majority of Gewurztraminer plantings found?
Haut-Rhin
What chemical compound gives and impressions of sweetness to Gewurztraminer?
Glycerol
In what year were regional synonyms for Pinot Gris banned?
2007
Rouge and rosé AOP wines may only be produced from what varietal?
Pinot Noir
In what style of wine is Chasselas most commonly found?
Edelzwicker
In which AOP wines is Seyval Blanc a permitted varietal?
None.
It is a French-American hybrid. Banned by the EU for quality wines.
What 5 communes are authorized to produced Klevener de Heiligenstein?
Bourgheim, Gertwiller, Goxwiller, Heiligenstein, Obernai
What is the style of vine training practiced in Alsace?
Guyot - simple and double
What is the minimum planting density for Alsace AOP wines?
4,000 vines/ha
Which AOPs of Alsace mandate a minimum planting density of 4,500 vines/ha?
Alsace AOP Communal/Lieu-Dit
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
Name the Grand Cru of Alsace that requires a minimum planting density of 5,500 vines/ha.
Altenberg de Bergheim
List the varietals permitted for VT and SGN wines.
Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer
Name 3 grapes commonly found in Edelzwicker.
Chasselas, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois
True/False: Edelzwicker will always be vintage dated.
False
Give the term for Alsatian blends containing at least 50% noble grapes.
Gentil
True/False: Varietals may be co-fermented in the production of Gentil wines.
False
Name one winemaking practice that is banned, and one that is severely restricted in Alsace.
Acidification (banned)
Chaptalization (restricted)
Which type of fermentation is most common in Alsace: inoculated or native?
Native
When was chaptalization banned for late harvest wines in Alsace?
It has always been banned.
What bacterial process is often blocked by Alsatian winemakers?
Malolactic Conversion/Fermentation
Name 2 ways to inhibit activity by lactobacillus.
Cold temperatures
Light sulfuring
For what varietal in Alsace is malolactic conversion an essential step in the winemaking process?
Pinot Noir
New wooden casks are often used first for what Alsatian wine?
Edelzwicker
Which are more traditional in Alsace: inert or oxidative containers?
Inert
Name 5 grapes that are occasionally matured in barrel/
Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, Sylvaner
What kind of press is most commonly used among Alsatian winemakers? Why?
Bladder Press
Gives cleaner juice
Most wine are bottled within what period after fermentation?
1 year
What is the least commonly used varietal for VT wines?
Muscat
How does the fermentation temperature of Gewurztraminer compare to that of Riesling?
Gewurztraminer can ferment up to 10F hotter
In what year was Alsace awarded AOP designation?
1962
In what year was Alsace Grand Cru AOP debuted?
1975
In what year were complimentary designations added to Alsace AOP?
2011
In what year were each Alsace Grand Cru lieu-dits awareded individual AOP status?
2011
What are the complimentary designation for Alsace AOP?
Communal
Lieu-Dit
How many geographic designations are recognized under Alsace Communal AOP?
13
Name the geographic designations that only produce red wines.
Ottrott, Roder, Saint Hippolyte
Of the 13 geographic designations for Alsace Communal AOP, how many only produce white wines?
9
Of the 13 geographic designations for Alsace Communal AOP, which may produce both red and white wines?
Côte Rouffach
In which 2 Alsace Grand Cru AOPs are blended wines permitted?
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf
What is the encépagement for blended wines from Altenberg de Bergheim?
50-70% Riesling, 10-25% Pinot Gris, 10-25% Gewurztraminer, max. 10% combines Chasselas, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc
What is the encépagement for blended wines from Kaefferkopf?
60-80% Gewurztraminer, 10-40% Riesling, max. 30% Pinot Gris, max. 10% Muscat
Name 3 production requirements shared by both VT and SGN wines?
1) May not be chaptalized
2) Must be vintage-dated
3) May not be released until June 1 of 2nd year following harvest
4) Hand harvesting is required
The largest Grand Cru of Alsace is __________.
Schlossberg
The smallest Grand Cru of Alsace is __________.
Kanzlerberg
The largest and smallest grand crus of Alsace are located within what département?
Haut-Rhin
In what year was Kaefferkopf recognized as a Grand Cru?
2007
Which noble grapes are permitted in the encépagement for Crémant d’Alsace
Riesling, Pinot Gris
By when are producers required to declare intent to produce Alsace Grand Cru wines?
March 1st
What is the minimum must weight for wines labelled Klevener de Heiligenstein?
177 g/l
Which Alsatian Grand Cru requires higher minimum must weights than other grand cru appellations?
Altenberg de Bergheim
What is the second largest Grand Cru of Alsace?
Hengst
What is the second smallest Grand Cru of Alsace?
Kastelberg
True/False: The 10 largest grand crus of Alsace are all located in the Haut-Rhin.
True
Who owns the Clos de Capucins?
Domaine Weinbach
In what commune is the Clos de Capucins located?
Kayserberg
Who owns the Clos Windsbuhl?
Zind-Humbrecht
In what commune is the Clos Windsbuhl found?
Hunawihr
Formerly known as Clos du Schlossberg, Clos __________ is owned by what producers and dedicated to what varietal?
Clos Ribeaupierre
Jean Sipp
Pinot Gris
The Clos Sainte Hune is a monopole of what domaine?
Trimbach
Within what Grand Cru is the Clos Sainte Hune found?
Rosacker
Which cuvée produced by Trimbach sources Riesling exclusively from Geisberg and Osterberg?
Cuvée Frederic Emile
How large is the Clos Sainte Hune?
1.67 ha
The Clos Saint Urbain is found within what Alsatian Grand Cru?
Rangen (de Thann)
Clos Saint Urbain is currently planted to what varietals?
Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer
Zind-Humbrecht is headquartered in what commune?
Turckheim
Trimbach is headquartered in what commune?
Ribeavillé
Describe the soil type found in Clos Windsbuhl.
Muschelkalk - sandstone, marl, dolomite (calcium/magnesium carbonate), slate
Who produces wines from Clos Rebberg and Clos Rebgarten?
Marc Kreydenweiss
In addition to the Clos Saint Urbain and Clos Windsbuhl, name two other clos vineyards farmed by Zind-Humbrecht, and their associated varietals.
Clos Jebsal - Pinot Gris
Clos Häuserer - Riesling
Both Clos Rebberg and Clos Rebgarten are found within what commune?
Andlau
Which Alsatian grand crus are not authorized to produce Muscat as a varietal wine?
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf
Zotzenberg
What must a producer do before harvesting grapes destined for late harvest or crémant production?
They must declare which parcels will be used for a particular production prior to harvest
Name 3 producers of Alsatian beer.
Kronenbourg
Perle
Adelshoffen
