Alsace Flashcards
Alsace and Lorraine along with Champagne now comprise what region?
Grand Est région
Why is 1945 significant in Alsace?
The year that most vineyard were replanted (WWII). 1945 marks the beginning of a divergence in French and German winemaking styles; German wines remained classically sweet, whereas Alsace producers fermented to dryness for a more powerful and food-friendly wine
What year did Alsace achieve AOC status?
1962, making it the last major French wine region to do so.
What two departments is Alsace divided into?
Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin
Why is the Haut-Rhin more significant than the Bas-Rhin?
Generally the premier wines originate in the Haut-Rhin, and over two-thirds of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in the département.
What geographic boundaries separates Alsace from the rest of France?
The Vosges Mountains in the west.
How do the Vosges Mountains affect Alsace?
The mountains provide a rain shadow effect; Alsace is one of France’s driest and sunniest climates.
What is the name of the capital of the Haut-Rhin?
Colmar
What city is the driest in France?
Colmar
What is the name for the local pink sandstone in Alsace?
Grés de Vosges—can be found throughout the region.
Generally speaking, what type of soil are the steep mountain slopes generally composed of?
Generally composed of schist, granite and volcanic sediment.
What type of soil do the lower slopes sit on?
Limestone base
What type of soil is found on the plains at the base of the mountains?
They consists of richer alluvial clay and gravel soils.
What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace?
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat (either Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains or Muscat Ottonel), and Gewurztraminer.
What is a synonym for Pinot Blanc in Alsace ?
Klevner
What is a synonym for Chasselas in Alsace?
Gutedel
All varietally labeled Alsace AOP wines must contain what % of the printed grape?
100%
What grapes represent the largest volume of appellation production in Alsace?
Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois
What grape is most planted in Alsace?
Reisling, and its the last to ripen.
How is Alsatian Riesling characterized?
Alsatian Rieslings are characteristically dry, more powerful, and higher in alcohol than their German cousins. From 2008 forward, that standard Riesling wines must be dry in style.
What was the former name for Pinot Gris in Alsace?
Tokay d’Alsace or Tokay Pinot Gris
How is Alsatian Pinot Gris characterized?
Fullest, richest expression, with spicy-smoky qualities and a frame solid—though hardly high—acidity.
How is Alsatian Pinot Blanc characterized?
Highly aromatic, shows fragrant floral and grapy notes. Slightly lower in acidity.
How is Alsatian Gewurztraminer characterized ?
Highly aromatic, and leans toward perfumed, sweet spices and tropical fruit. Is higher in alcohol and more likely to be off-dry. Slightly lower in acidity.
Which Alsatian Grand Cru may produce blends?
Altenberg de Bergheim & Kaefferkopf
Which Alsatian grapes are permitted in Alsace Vendanges Tardives & SGN designations?
- Gewurztraminer
- Riesling
- Pinot Gris
In which Grand Cru, may Sylvaner be bottled as varietal wine?
Zotzenberg
True or False, Varietal labeling is mandatory for Alsatian wines released at the Grand Cru level?
False
Name an AOP located in Lorraine?
Cotes de Toul
True or False, Alsatian Grand Cru vineyards can only produce Grand Cru wines.
False Trimbach has traditionally released their Riesling Clos-Ste-Hune as Alsace AOP without any mention of the large Rosacker Grand Cru on the label.
What is the name of the smallest Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace?
Kanzleber 3h
What are the grapes permitted in Cremant d’ Alsace?
Blanc: Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, and/or Chardonnay
Rosé: 100% Pinot Noir
What is the maximum press yield for Cremant d’ Alsace AOP?
Maximum Press Yield: 100 liters/150 kg
What is Edelzwicker?
(“noble mixture”) usually indicates its own inverse: an inexpensive blended wine. Does not have to be vintage dated.
What is the name of a superior designation for blends, requiring a minimum of 50% noble grapes?
Gentil, base wines must be vilified separately
What was the first Alsace Grand Cru AOP single named vineyard, first decreed in 1975?
Schlossberg
How many Grand Crus is there in Alsace?
51
Which of the Grand Crus is the largest in Alsace?
Schlossberg at 80h
What characterizes the Sélection de Grains Nobles?
Suppress varietal character in return for the complexities of botrytis.
What characterizes Vendanges Tardives?
May show botrytis character but emphasizes varietal purity.
True or False VT & SGN always sweet?
VT and SGN wines are not obligated by statute to be sweet; in practice SGN wines are always dessert-like but VT wines may vary in actual sugar, and can be quite dry.
Name the 5 communes in Alsace that may bottle Klevener varietally
- Heiligenstein
- Bourgheim
- Gertwiller
- Goxwiller
- Obernai
What is the minimum potential alcohol for Riesling and Muscat for Alsace Grand Cru?
11%
What is the minimum potential alcohol for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer?
12.5%
Which 2 producers are known for not labeling as Alsace Grand Cru?
Hugel and Trimbach
Which grand cru did Trimbach started to label as of 2009?
Geisberg Grand Cru
What is the only Alsatian appellation to allow Chardonnay?
Cremant d’ Alsace
What region in Germany is across from Alsace?
Baden
