Alsace

Question 1

What percentage of Alsace is varietally labeled?

Answer 1

In Alsace 80% of production is varietally labeled.

Question 2

With a few exceptions what percentage of the grape variety listed on the label must be inside the bottle?

Answer 2

100%

Pinot Blanc and Pinot d’Alsace can be blends but are not always.

Question 3

What are the different requirements for the blended wines labeled “Gentil” and “Edelzwicker”?

Answer 3

Gentil: must contain a minimum of 50% of the noble grape varieties (Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and/or Gewurztraminer)

Edelzwicker: is a blend of any of the white grapes approved for Alsace AOC.
Edelzwicker may be vinified together or separately and the vintage is optional.

Question 4

Alsace is located in the NE corner of France along which country’s border?

Answer 4

Alsace is located along the German border.

Question 5

True or False, Alsace is the most northerly wine region in France.

Answer 5

False. Champagne is further north.

Question 6

Which parallels do Alsace lie between?

Answer 6

Alsace lies between the 47th and 49th parallel north.

Question 7

The climate in Alsace could be described as ___________.

Answer 7

Alsace has a continental climate.

Question 8

What protects Alsace from Atlantic influences?

Answer 8

The Vosges Mountains protect Alsace from Atlantic influences, namely rain. Alsace receives 15.5 - 19.5 inches per year while the western side of the mountain range receives approx 90 inches per year.

Question 9

What is a graben and how does this apply to Alsace?

Answer 9

A graben is a grave-like trench which is a result of plains falling along parallel faults.
Alsace lies along the slopes of the Rhine Graben.

Question 10

How many major soil types are in Alsace?

Answer 10

There are 13 major soil types in Alsace.

Question 11

in 1941 30% of all vineyard plantings in Alsace were _____________.

Answer 11

French-American Hybrids.

Question 12

What percentage of Alsace’s production is white?

Answer 12

90% of Alsace’s production is white.

Question 13

What Alsace grape develops notes of pine nut and/or petrol as it ages?

Answer 13

Riesling

Question 14

What is the 2nd most planted grape in Alsace?

Answer 14

Pinot Blanc.

Also known as Klevner and Pinot Vrai

Question 15

TRUE or FALSE; Alsace AOC can source grapes from anywhere in Alsace

Answer 15

TRUE

Question 16

TRUE or FALSE; Alsace AOC produces sparkling wines

Answer 16

FALSE, Alsace sparkling wines are made under the Cremant d’Alsace AOC

Question 17

Klevner is a synonym for which grape?

Answer 17

Pinot Blanc

Question 18

What grapes are allowed in a bottle of Pinot Blanc from Alsace AOC?

Answer 18

An Alsace AOC Pinot Blanc may be 100% Pinot Blanc, 100% Auxerrois Blanc or a blend of both.

Question 19

Which grapes may be included in a Pinot d’Alsace?

Answer 19

Pinot d’Alsace may be a blend or 100% of the following grapes: Auxerrois Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir (vinified as white).

Question 20

Name the 8 primary grapes of Alsace

Answer 20

Reisling, Pinot Blanc, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sylvaner, Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc, Muscat Ottonel

Question 21

How many Grand Cru AOCs are in Alsace?

Answer 21

There are 51 Alsace Grand Cru AOCs

Question 22

In Alsace are the Vineyard sites or the Producer ranked for AOC status?

Answer 22

Like in Bourgogne the Vineyard Site is ranked for Grand Cru status, not the producer.
So, different producers may make Grand Cru wine from the same vineyard site.

Question 23

How many Alsace Grand Cru AOCs allow for red wine?

Answer 23

Zero. All Alsace Grand Cru are white only.

Question 24

How many Alsace Grand Cru vineyards permit Sylvaner?

Answer 24

Only one Alsace Grand Cru site allows Sylvaner, Zotzenberg.

Note: Zotzenberg also allows Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot Gris

Question 25

What method is used to make Cremant d’Alsace?

Answer 25

Méthod traditionnelle