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Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

What region borders Alsace in NE France?

A

Lorraine

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2
Q

Name the 2 AOPs of Lorraine

A

Côtes de Toul AOP

Moselle AOP

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3
Q

Styles/Grapes of Côtes de Toul AOP

A

Blanc: Auxerrois and Aubin

Vin Gris:
Mostly Gamay, Pinot Noir
Remainder - Pinot Meunier, Aubin, and Auxerrois

Rouge: 100% Pinot Noir

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4
Q

Styles/Grapes of Moselle AOP

A

Red, white, and rose
-mainly Auxerrois and Pinot Noir

Other grapes: Müller-Thurgau, and Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer

Varietally-Labeled Pinot Gris
Varietally-Labeled Müller-Thurgau

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5
Q

Name a few conflicts that added to the tumultuous history of Alsace

A

-French-Habsburg rivalry led to Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)
-Treaty of Westphalia concluded 30 yrs war, cemented Alsace as French
-Franco Prussian War in 1871 - Germany claimed Alsace and Lorraine
-Independence at the end of WWI
-French troops moved in
-Occupation by Nazi Germany in 1940s,
still remains FRENCH!

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6
Q

When did winegrowing begin in Alsace?

A

1st millenniem - 160 villages growing vines in year 1000

Many vineyards date to 1945, also marking divergence between German and French style

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7
Q

When did Alsace become AOP?

A

1962 - last major French region to do so

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8
Q

What is France’s smallest region?

A

Alsace

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9
Q

What are the two départments of Alsace? Which is known for better quality?

A

Haut-Rhine, Bas-Rhine

Haut Rhine is superior - 2/3 of Grand Cru here

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10
Q

What geological feature separates Alsace from the rest of France? What does this do for the climate?

A

The Vosges Mountains
-provide rainshadow effect

=> one of France’s driest and sunniest climates

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11
Q

What is the driest city in France?

A

Colmar - Capital of Haut-Rhine départment

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12
Q

What are the best exposures in Alsace?

A

Southern, southeaster, or warm eastern

to maximize sunlight

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13
Q

What is the climate of Alsace

A

semi-continental

one of driest and sunniest in France

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14
Q

What is distinct about soils of Alsace?

A

Myriad of Soil types
“geologic mosaic”

Clay, chalk
Granite, gravel
limestone, loess
schist, sandstone*

*Grés de Vosges - pink sandstone

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15
Q

What is Grés de Vosges

A

local pink sandstone found in Alsace

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16
Q

What is the soil like on steep mountain slopes of Alsace

A

schist, granite, volcanic clay and gravel

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17
Q

What is soil like on lower slopes of Alsace

A

limestone base

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18
Q

What is the soil like at pain of the base of mountains in Alsace?

A

richer alluvial clay and gravel

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19
Q

What % of Alsace wine is white?

A

90%

18% of Frances still white wine production from here!

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20
Q

4 Noble Grapes of Alsace

A

Riesling
Muscat*
Pinot Gris
Gewurztraminer

*can be Blanc à Petits Grains, Rosé à Petits Grains, or Ottonel

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21
Q

What is the main AOP of Alsace?

A

Alsace AOP or Vin d’Alsace

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22
Q

What grapes are allowed to be bottled varietally in Alsace AOP?

A

4 noble grapes +

Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Chasselas (Gutadel)
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir

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23
Q

What is Auxerrois?

A

Similar to Pinot Blanc, ofter blended and can be labelled varietally as Pinot Blanc even if 100% Auxerrois

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24
Q

What percentage grape required for varietal wines?

A

100% except for Pinot blanc which can be blended with Auxerrois

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25
If white wine from Alsace is labeled "Pinot" what varieties may it contain?
Pinot Blanc, Gris, Noir and Auxerrois in any proportion
26
What is the most planted grape in Alsace?
Riesling, but Pinot Blanc + Auxerrois collectively represent largest production
27
What is the last noble grape to ripen in Alsace?
Riesling
28
Is Alsation Riesling mandated to be dry?
Yes Max RS: Riesling: 6 g/l (if the wines have been chaptalized), 9 g/l (if tartaric acid is less than 6 g/l), 12 g/l (if tartaric acid is greater than 6 g/l) --this does not apply to SGN or VT Riesling, or Riesling labeled with a lieu-dit Rosé: 4 g/l Rouge: 2 g/l
29
When is hand harvesting required in Alsace?
All Alsace Grand Cru Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wines labeled by a lieu-dit all Alsace VT and SGN wines, must be hand-harvested
30
What was the former name for Pinot Gris in Alsace?
Tokay d'Alsace or Tokay Pinot Gris
31
What is Gewurztraminer a clone of?
It is a pink berried clone of the traditional grape Traminer
32
What is Savagnin known as in the Bas-Rhine - where is it found? Savagnin Rose?
Klevener - found in Heiligenstein Savagnin Rose is known as Kevener de Heiligenstein - less aromatic than gewurtz, higher acid
33
What 5 communes may bottle Klevener de Heiligenstein varietally?
Heiligenstein, Bougheim, Gertwiller, Goxwiller, Obernai
34
Define Edelzwicker and Gentil
Both typically blends from Alsace Edelzwicker - means "noble mixture" but is usually inexpensive, - doesn't need vintage date, - doesn't actually have to be a blend Gentil - superior designation for blends - requires min 50% noble grapes, another other grape can make up remainder - base wines vinified separately
35
Name a producer who is a staunch advocate for field blends in Alsace?
Marcel Deiss
36
When was the Alsace Grand Cru first decreed? With what name?
1975 with single named vineyard Schlossberg
37
When were the 1st and 2nd addition of grand crus after the initial decree of Schlossberg in 1975?
1983 - 24 more | 1992 - 25 more
38
What was the 51st Grand Cru (most recent) and when was it added?
2007 - Kaefferkopf
39
Are grand cru wines from Alsace required to be single varietal?
Not anymore, but typically are
40
Which two Grand Crus allow bending?
Altenberg de Bergheim | Kaefferkopf
41
What grand cru is a historic site for Sylvaner and may bottle varietally?
Zotzenberg
42
What shape must all Alsace AOC be bottled in?
Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines must be bottled in the traditional "Vin du Rhin"/"Flûte d'Alsace" bottle
43
What is min potential alcohol for Noble grapes of Alsace?
11% for Riesling and Muscat 12. 5% for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer * some vineyards mandate higher*
44
When did the number of Alsace AOPs increase from 1 to 51 with each vineyard receiving its own appellation?
2011
45
What is the smallest and largest Grand Cru of Alsace
Kanzlerberg - 3ha | Schlossberg - 80ha
46
What controversy is there against Alsace GC model?
rapid development | lack of intermediary Premier Cru
47
Where does Trimbach source Clos-Ste-Hune? | How does he label the bottle?
Rosacker Grand Cru | labels as Alsace AOP
48
What is the first bottle Trimbach released with a Grand Cru site on the label? When?
Gaisberg Grand Cru 2009
49
Does Hugel label specific Grand Crus on his bottles?
No,
50
When did VT and SGN become decreed?
1984 - right after first new addition of Grand Crus
51
What is required of VT - SGN?
Single noble varietal pass blind tasting panel hand harvested - SGN generally in tries no chapitalization
52
Do VT or SGN wines generally show more varietal character vs Botrytis?
SGN generally suppresses varietal character for botrytis, VT may show botrytis but emphasizes varietal purity
53
What is passerillage? Is VT or SGN likely to have it?
Grapes begin to dry up on the vine but without botrytis Quality VT wines usually originate from vines in a state of passerillage
54
Are VT and SGN wines required to be sweet?
No - SGN always is though | VT can vary and sometimes quite dry
55
Min Must Weights for VT
Riesling, Muscat: 244 g/l | Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 270 g/l
56
Min Must Weights for SGN
Riesling, Muscat: 276 g/l (formerly 256 g/l) | Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 306 g/l (formerly 279 g/l)
57
What is the only red varietal allowed in Alsace AOP?
Pinot Noir
58
What is the workhorse for Crémant d'Alsace AOP?
Pinot Blanc, | but also Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, and/or Chardonnay, (Pinot Noir?)
59
Where is Chardonnay allowed in Alsace?
Crémant d'Alsace AOP only
60
What is the grape of Crémant d'Alsace Rose?
100% Pinot Noir

France - SD (11 decks)

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