Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

WSET Diploma Study > Alsace > Flashcards

Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

What are the key characteristics of Alsatian Pinot Gris?

A

Full bodied

High in alcohol

Medium acidity

Spicy, smoky qualities.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

In Alsace, what are the typical soil types found in:

  1. Steeper slopes. (3)
  2. Lower slopes. (1)
  3. Flatter plains. (2)
A
  1. Schist, granite, volcanic sediment.
  2. Limestone.
  3. Alluvial clay, gravel.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Where does Marcel Deiss produce wine and what is he known for?

A

Alsace.

Known for advocating field blends as the best approach for serious wines and for representing Alsatian terroir.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are “Trives Successives”?

A

Harvesting in successive passes of the vineyard, picking the ripest berries/those affected by Botrytis each time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the capital of the Haut-Rhin Department?

A

Colmar

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the 4 grapes permitted in Grand Cru Alsace wines?

A

-Riesling -Muscat -Gewurtztraminer -Pinot Gris

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Alsace Grand Cru wines are produced only from the Noble Varieties and are single-variety wines.

What are the 3 exceptions and what is different about them?

A

Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf may blend varieties.

Zotzenberg is a historical site for Sylvaner.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are Alsatian synonyms for:

Pinot Blanc

Chassenas

A

Pinot Blanc = Klevner

Chassenas = Gutedel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which major region was the last to receive AOC status in France?

A

Alsace

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

In which wine region can the town of Riquewihr be found?

A

Alsace

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Which is the only red grape permitted in Alsace?

A

Pinot Noir

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Alsatian Grand Cru vineyards can only produce Grand Cru wines.

True or False?

A

False.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What labeling device does the Alsatian producer Zind-Humbrecht use to help guide consumers?

A

A Sweetness Index that indicates the level of residual sugar.

Wines range from 1 (Least sweet, most dry) to 5 (Sweetest)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does ‘Vendages Tardives’ (VT) mean?

A

Late harvest. May be affected by Botrytis. Rich, full-bodied but not always sweet.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the climate in Alsace?

What factors contribute to its climate?

A

Cool Continental due to northerly latitude.

Dry, Sunny Summers due to rain shadow from Vosges.

One of the driest regions in France

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What characteristics do VT wines and SGN wines emphasize?

A

Vendanges Tardives wines emphasize varietal purity over Botrytis flavors.

SGN wines supress varietal characteristics in favor of Botrytis complexities.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Who produces this wine?

A

Domaine Weinbach.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How do Alsatian rieslings compare to German reislings?

A

Alsatian rieslings are characteristically dry, more powerful and higher in alcohol, with pronounced acidity and minerality.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How many Grand Cru vineyards are in Alsace?

A

51

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

All Alsace AOP wines are required to be bottled in what traditional bottle?

A

Flûte d’Alsace

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What year was the first Alsace Grand Cru status given and what is the vineyard?

A

1975

Schlossberg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What percentage of Alsace AOC wines are white?

23
Q

What is Grés de Vosges?

A

A local pink sandstone soil found in Alsace.

24
Q

Who produces Riesling “Clos-Ste-Hune”?

25
Q

Alsace is mainly known for its white wine, but which red grape variety is most commonly grown there?

A

Pinot Noir

26
Q

Which French wine region has traditionally put the grape variety on the front label?

27
Q

Typically, how is oak used in the vitification of Alsatian wines?

A

Neutral casks often used for fermentation/aging.

Little/no use of new oak.

28
Q

What are the key characteristics of Muscat?

A

Light to medium body

Medium alcohol

Low to medium acidity

Intensely aromatic, floral and grapey.

29
Q

What are the 2 AOPs of the Lorraine region?

A

Cotes de Toul AOP

Moselle AOP

30
Q

Depending on variety, how late can grape picking happen

A

End November / early December

31
Q

Trimbach Vendage Tardive is associated with which wine/vineyard area?

32
Q

4 examples of Alsace producers:

A

Hugel.

Trimbach.

Marcel Deiss.

Zind-Humbrecht.

33
Q

What 2 labeling terms are used for blended Alsace wines and what is the difference between them?

A

‘Edelzwicker’ and ‘Gentil’.

“Gentil” is the superior denomination, must be made from at least 50% Noble grapes, and all varieties must be vinified seperately.

“Edelzwicker” can be a blend of any grapes, does not need to list vintage or grapes used, inexpensive blended wine.

34
Q

What is the most planted grape in Alsace?

35
Q

Auxerrois is a synonym for Pinot Blanc.

True or False?

A

False, though it is often blended with Pinot Blanc.

36
Q

Riesling is the __ noble variety to ripen in Alsace.

37
Q

What are the two principal appelations of Alsace?

A

Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru

38
Q

What is ‘Selection de Grains Nobles’ (SGN)?

How often and in what kinds of quantities are these wines made?

A

Wines from Alsace that are always affected by Botrytis.

Made in very small quantities, only in vintages when growing conditions are conducive to production.

39
Q

What is the name of the river on the eastern side of Alsace?

40
Q

The Cotes de Toul AOP produces red, white and rosé wines.

What are they made from?

A

Reds: Pinot Noir

Whites: Auxerrois and Aubin

Rosé: Gamay and Pinot Noir

41
Q

What is the capital of Alsace?

A

Strasbourg.

42
Q

Which division contains more vineyards, the Bas-Rhin or Haut-Rhin?

A

Haut-Rhin, over 2 thirds.

43
Q

What effect do the Vosges Mountains have on Alsace?

6 specific effects this has on the vineyards/the wines produced from them:

A

A rain shadow effect protecting the vineyards from harsh, rainy weather from N. France/ the Atlantic.

  1. Drier Climate
  2. More sunshine
  3. Long growing season
  4. Riper grapes
  5. Higher alcohol potential
  6. Fuller-bodied wines
44
Q

What 2 factors have engendered controversy regarding the Alsace Grand Cru system?

A
  • Rapid development.
  • Lack of intermediary Premier Cru tier.
45
Q

All varietally-labeled wines from Alsace must be made from 100% of that variety, with which exception?

A

Pinot Blanc, which may be blended with Auxerrois.

46
Q

What are the 2 main divisions of Alsace, where are the best vineyards in Alsace located and why are they considered higher quality?

A
  • The Bas-Rhin to the north, lower quality vineyards due to lower elevation and less protection from Vosges.
  • Haut-Rhin to the south, higher quality vineyards due to higher elevation, more protection from Vosges.
47
Q

The Moselle AOP produces wines from 1 red varietal and 3 white varietals.

A
  • Pinot Noir
  • Auxerrois, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris
48
Q

What are the 2 kinds of Muscat grown in Alsace, and which one is used for the best wines?

A

Muscat Blanc/Rosé a Petits Grains (used for the best wines.)

Muscat Ottonel.

49
Q

What are the key characteristics of Alsatian Gewurtztraminer?

A

Perfumed, sweet spices, tropical fruit.

Low acidity, high alcohol, likely to be off-dry.

50
Q

What are the four noble grape varieties of Alsace?

What other white/red grapes are grown there?

A

Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris.

Also: Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Pinot Noir

51
Q

What are the smallest and largest Alsatian Grands Crus?

A

Smallest: Kanzlerberg

Largest: Schlossberg

52
Q
  1. Cremant d’Alsace allows which 6 varietals to be used?
  2. Which of these is know as the “workhorse” varietal?
  3. Rosé d’Alsace is made from __?
A
  1. Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
  2. Pinot Blanc is the workhorse.
  3. 100% Pinot Noir.
53
Q

Alsatian Grand Cru wines may NOT be chaptalized.

True or False?

WSET Diploma Study (42 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions