Alsace

Question 1

In regards to labeling, what makes Alsace unique from other major French wine regions?

Answer 1

Most of the wines are labeled by varietal.

Question 2

Generally speaking, what are the most common styles of wine made in Alsace?

Answer 2

Predominantly white wines made from aromatic or semi-aromatic grapes in dry, off-dry, and sweet styles.

Question 3

Besides still white table wines, what other still styles of table wine are made in Alsace?

Not sweet wines

Answer 3

Still red + rosé wines made from Pinot Noir.

The reds are light + fruity in style – nothing like Burgundy.

Question 4

What is the sole black grape allowed to be planted in Alsace?

Answer 4

Pinot Noir

Question 5

What is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 5

Cool to moderate continental

Question 6

What is the name of the mountain range on Alsace’s western boundary that creates a rainshadow effect?

Answer 6

Vosges Mountains

Question 7

What is the eastern boundary for Alsace?

Answer 7

The Rhine River, which is the natural boundary with Germany.

Question 8

In which direction do the top vineyards of Alsace face?

Answer 8

The top vineyards of Alsace are on steep slopes facing east and southeast.

Gentler morning sun (vineyards facing east) is better for the grapes than hot afternoon sun (vineyards facing full south which would get sun all day).

Question 9

The majority of grapes that go into Crémant d’Alsace come from where: top of the slopes, mid-slopes, or plains?

Answer 9

The majority of grapes that go into Crémant d’Alsace come from the alluvial plains, located between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine, rather than the prized hillsides or slopes.

Question 10

What factor contributes to the broad range of wine styles in Alsace?

Answer 10

The geological complexity of the soils is the main contributor to the broad range of styles in Alsace.

Soils found in Alsace include:

Hillsides - granite, limestone, sandstone, clay, loam, volcanic

Valley floor - alluvial

Question 11

Of all the French regions covered in WSET 3, which one is the smallest?

Answer 11

Alsace

Question 12

France’s wine region with the driest and sunniest climate is:

• Provence
• Rhône Valley
• Alsace

Answer 12

Alsace

Question 13

The dry and sunny climate in Alsace means that vine disease pressure there is:

• Low
• High

Answer 13

Low

Question 14

Because Alsace has such dry conditions with lots of sunshine, what viticultural practices are widely used?

Answer 14

Organic and biodynamic farming/viticulture.

Question 15

Vines planted on the slopes:

• Machine or hand harvested?
• Trained high or low to the ground?

Answer 15

Vines planted on slopes are:

• Hand harvested;
• Trained low to the ground to take advantage of heat radiating off the ground.

Question 16

In Alsace, vines planted on the alluvial plains are:

• Machine or hand harvested?
• Trained high above or low to the ground?

Answer 16

• Usually machine harvested;
• Trained high above the ground to mitigate frost.

Question 17

Harvest in Alsace usually starts when and ends when?

Answer 17

In typical vintages harvest will start around the end of August (for sparkling wine) and run through November, and sometimes will end in December depending on whether the producer has decided to make VT or SGN.

Question 18

What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace?

Answer 18

• Riesling
• Pinot Gris
• Gewurztraminer
• Muscat

These 4 grape varieties are the only ones allowed to go into Grand Cru, VT and SGN wines.

Question 19

Most wines in Alsace are bottled as:

• single varietals
• blends

Answer 19

Single varietals

Question 20

What are the two terms used in Alsace on bottles of inexpensive white blends?

Answer 20

1. Edelzwicker
2. Gentil

Question 21

What is the fermentation vessel used by traditional wine producers in Alsace?

Answer 21

Large, old oak barrels

These old barrels have a thick layer of tartrate crystal deposits inside of them, preventing the wood from imparting any influence on the wine.

Question 22

In Alsace, modern producers won’t use the traditional, large, old oak barrels. They’ll use this type of fermentation vessel.

Answer 22

Stainless steel tanks, making it easier to control fermentation temperatures.

Question 23

In Alsace, why is malolactic fermentation (MLF) usually blocked for most aromatic white grapes?

Answer 23

The softening effects of MLF and buttery aromas would stunt and mask the purity of fruit flavors in these aromatic varieties.

Question 24

What are 2 classifications that can be used by Alsace AOP and Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines?

Answer 24

1. Vendanges Tardives
2. Sélection de Grains Nobles

Question 25

As of the 2021 harvest, Alsace wine producers must indicate the level of sweetness on their back labels.

In ascending order, what are the levels of sweetness that can be used?

Answer 25

• Sec
• Demi-Sec
• Moelleux
• Doux

Question 26

Define and Explain:

Vendange Tardive (VT)

Answer 26

Vendange Tardive (VT): “Late Harvest”

• Made only from the four noble varieties;
• May be dry, off-dry, or medium-sweet, and as of 2021 the producer must indicate sweetness level on back label;
• Grapes for the best wines will have undergone passerillage;
• May or may not show Botrytis;
• VT may be printed on either Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Cru AOP labels.

Sometimes you’ll see VT written in plural, Vendanges Tardives, which indicates that several passes through the vineyard were made in order to pick the late harvest fruit

Question 27

Define and Explain:

Sélection de Grains Nobles

Answer 27

Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN): “Selection of Nobly Rotten Grapes”

• Made only from one of the four noble varieties;
• Made only in excellent vintages in small quantities;
• Always sweet;
• Must meet minimum sugar ripeness depending on grape variety;
• Must show Botrytis, though levels vary producer to producer.

Question 28

Which noble grape is the most widely planted and the last to ripen in Alsace?

Answer 28

Riesling

Question 29

Generally speaking, are Alsatian Rieslings drier or sweeter than their German counterparts?

Answer 29

Generally, Alsatian Rieslings are:

• drier
• less floral
• richer & fuller in body

​than German Rieslings.

Question 30

Describe Gewurztraminer’s palate.

Answer 30

• High alcohol
• Full body, oily in texture
• Low to medium acidity
• Lychee, rose, and aromatic baking spices

Question 31

Which white grape variety in Alsace has light pink skins?

Answer 31

Gewurztraminer

Question 32

Describe the palate of Alsatian Pinot Gris.

Answer 32

• High alcohol
• Full, rich body
• Medium acidity (usually more than Gewurztraminer)
• Less aromatic than Gewurz, but intensely flavored with fresh/dried fruit and honey

Question 33

Describe Muscat’s palate.

Answer 33

• Light to medium body
• Medium alcohol
• Low to medium acidity
• Orange blossom, rose, grapey

Question 34

What are the two Muscat varieties grown in Alsace?

Answer 34

1. Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
2. Muscat Ottonel

Question 35

Which Muscat variety in Alsace is prone to poor fruit set and rot?

Answer 35

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Question 36

Which Muscat variety in Alsace is less aromatic but more reliable?

Answer 36

Muscat Ottonel

Question 37

What are the 2 principal appellations for still wines in Alsace?

Answer 37

Alsace AOP

• nearly 80% of all wine produced in Alsace falls under this AOP;

Alsace Grand Cru AOP

• Each of the 51 Grand Cru vineyards in Alsace is its own AOP;
• An Alsace Grand Cru label will have the name of the vineyard and the grape;
• To be Alsace Grand Cru the grape must be one of the 4 noble grape varieties (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, or Gewurztraminer).

Question 38

In Alsace, if a grape name is on the label, what percentage of that grape must be in the bottle?

Answer 38

If the name of a grape is on the label in Alsace, 100% of that grape must be in the bottle.

There is one exception: Pinot Blanc. It is often blended with Auxerrois even though they are different grapes. Additionally, Auxerrois may carry the title of Pinot Blanc on a label even if it is bottled as 100% Auxerrois.

Question 39

What environmental issue can be a threat to Alsace?

Answer 39

Drought

Question 40

Name three white grapes planted in Alsace other than the noble grape varieties.

Answer 40

• Pinot Blanc (used for sparkling)
• Auxerrois
• Sylvaner

Question 41

As of the 2021, what must all Alsace wine producers now indicate on their back label?

Answer 41

The wine’s level of sweetness