Alsace Flashcards
What is the climate of Alsace?
Low rainfall
Semi-Continental
Sunny and dry
Moderately warm
How many identifiable soil types are there in Alsace?
Around 2 dozen
What the 3 topographical structures of Alsace?
The slopes of the Vosges
The Foothills
The plains
What are the 9 grape varieties allowed in Alsace?
Riesling Pinot Gris Muscat Gewurztraminer Pinot Blanc Chasselas Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sylvaner
What are the “noble grapes” of Alsace?
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat and Gewurztraminer
What Alsace Grand Cru vineyard site is allowed to plant what non noble grape?
Zotzenberg (Sylvaner)
Which grapes are planted in the highest percentage from most to least in Alsace?
Riesling (22%) Pinot Blanc Gewurztraminer Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Sylvaner Muscat (2%)
What are the AOPs of Alsace?
Alsace AOP
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
Cremant d’Alsace AOP
What percentage of the grape labeled on an Alsatian wine must it contain?
100%
What is the name for a blended wine in Alsace?
Edelzwicker
Also used Gentil and “Fruits de Mere”
How many grand cru vineyards are in Alsace?
51
What two Alsatian grand crus allow a blend of varietals?
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf
Is it possible to chaptalize a Alsace grand cru wine?
Not since 2011
What grapes are not approved for Cremant d’Alsace?
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
Chasselas
How long must Cremant d’Alsace be aged in bottle?
9 months before release
What does Vendage Tardive mean?
Late harvest Alsatian wine
Must be from single vintage and from noble varieties
Grapes must meet a specific must weight
Range from off-dry to sweet
What term can be used in Alsace for a Riesling that reaches a must weight of 256 g/l and often is infected by botrytis?
Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
Can also be made from Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris
What is the maximum required sugar level in Alsace AOP Riesling?
9 g/l
Alsace wine labeled Klevener de Heiligenstein would be made from what grape?
Savagnin Rose
What Alsace Grand Crus is Sylvaner allowed 100% or blended with Gewurztraminer and Riesling?
Zotzenberg
Mittelbergheim since 2006
What is the blend in Alsace called that uses a minimum 50% of the four noble grapes and thought of a higher end Edelzwicker?
Gentil
