Alsace Flashcards
Name the mountain range that causes the rain shadow in Alsace
Vosges Mountains
Alsace is divided into what two departments?
Bas Rhin (Top) Haut Rhin (Bottom)
In what year did Alsace achieve AOC status?
1962
2/3s of the Alsace’s Grand Cru Vineyards are located within which department?
the Haut Rhin
True or False,
Irrigation is permitted in Alsace?
False
What is the name of the wind that raises the temperature and reduces disease pressure?
The Föhn wind
List the 4 noble grape varieties of Alsace
Muscat
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
What is Gres de Vosges?
The local pink sandstone found throughout Alsace
Aside from Gres de Vosges, name the other the other soils found in Alsace
Granite Limestone Schist CLay Gravel Chalk Loess
What is the most common form of vine training in Alsace (as required by AOC regulations)
Single or Double Guyot
Name the main pests and diseases encountered in Alsace?
- Powdery and Downy Mildew
- Grape Vine Moth
- Esca
What are the 3 different forms of Muscat approved for use in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grans
Muscat Rose a Petits Grans
Muscat Ottonel
Aside from the 4 noble grapes, what other grapes are allowed?
Pinot Blanc Chasselas Sylvaner Pinot Noir Auxerrios
If a bottle of Alsatian wine is labeled with just “Pinot” on it, what grapes can be used?
Pinot Noir
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Auxerrios
What is the most planted grape in Alsace?
Riesling
Edelzwicker translates to _______
Noble Mixture; but can be used with no noble grapes
True or False,
Wines labeled as Edelzwicker are not legally required to carry a date, or even contain more than one grape.
True!
When was the Grand Cru AOP developed, and how many are there today?
1975
51 Grand Cru vineyards exist today
Each has its own AOP
What are the names of the first and last Grand Crus in Alsace?
Schlossberg (First)
Kaefferkopf (Last)
What is mandatory form of harvesting for the Grand Cru vineyards?
Hand-Harvest
What is the smallest Grand Cru in Alsace? (include hectares)
Kanzlerberg (3 hectares)
What is the largest Grand Cru? (include hectares)
Schlossberg (80 hectares)
Which grand cru does Trimbach source its grape from to produce Clos-Ste-Hune?
- The Rosacker Grand Cru
- They do not mention it anywhere on the bottle
What are the two terms used for late harvest wines in Alsace?
Vendanges Tardives
Selections de Grains Nobles
How are the grapes destined for Selection de Grains Nobles generally picked?
Tries
Describe what it means to pick in Tries
It means that there are multiple passes through the vineyard, to pick the most boytritis afflicted grapes
True or False,
VT and SGN wines are not required to be sweet?
True!
While SGN in practice are always dessert-like, VT can be vary greatly
What is the only red grape permitted in the Alsace AOP?
Pinot Noir
What is the main grape used in Cremant d’Alsace?
Pinot Blanc
What grape(s) are permitted for use in Cremant d’Alsace Rose?
Pinot Noir
What the must weights for VT and SGN for Riesling or Muscat?
- VT is 235 g/L
- SGN is 276 g/L
What the must weights for VT and SGN for Gewurztraminer or Pinot Gris
- VT is 257 g/L
- SGN is 306 g/L
True or False,
Both SGN and VT must use botrytis-affected grapes
False, only grapes that are used to make SGN must be botrytis-affected
What is the name of the Grand Cru in Alsace that allows the production of Sylvaner?
Zotzenberg
Aside from Kaefferkopf being the last Grand Cru that was approved, what else is interesting about the wines from there?
They can be blends as well:
- 60-80% Gewurztraminer
- 10-40% Riesling (max)
- 30% Pinot Gris (max)
- 10% Muscat
What is Kylvner de eblistein
Varietal savignon rose
