ALSACE Flashcards
What are the four noble grapes of Alsace?
- Riesling
- Muscat
- Gewürztraminer
- Pinot Gris
What are the two climate moderators of Alsace?
- Vosges Mountains (west) Close to German Black Forest
- Rhine River (east)
Which Grand Cru can produce either varietal wines from Gewürztraminer, Riesling or Pinot Gris, or wines blended from these three grape varieties plus up to 10 percent of Pinot Blanc, Muscat or Pinot Noir.
- Altenberg de Bergheim
What are the 5 communes of Klevener Heiligenstein?
- Heiligenstein
- Bourgheim
- Gertwiller
- Goxwiller
- Obernai
What grapes are Grand Cru AOP Alsace wines produced from?
Noble grapes:
- Riesling
- Muscat
- Gewürztraminer
- Pinot Gris
Wines labelled “Edelzwicker” may be made from a single variety.
A. True
B. False
True
What are the two official sweetness indicators/styles of Alsace?
- Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
- Vendages Tardives (VT)
Which German Wine region is located directly north of Alsace?
- Pfalz
Altenberg de Bergheim is unique for allowing 10% of which non-noble grapes in the blend?
- Chasselas, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir
What are the variety of soils in Alsace?
- These vary from sandstone, granite and volcanic rock types in the foothills, to clay-rich limestone and marlstone on the alluvial plains below.
What is the min.% for grape /variety labelled wine?
- 100%
Alsace was the last major French winemaking region to attain AOC status.
A. True
B. False
- True
What is the term ‘Vendanges Tardives’ stands for?
- It means literally ‘late harvest’, and indicates sweet wines harvested late in the season. The grapes are left hang on the vines to dry out, which naturally concentrates their sugar. Some maybe affected with botrytis.
- Wines are made of grapes with a min. must weight of:
►Riesling/Muscat: 235g/L
►Gewürztraminer/Pinot Gris: 257g/L
What grape variety is called Clevner/Klevner in Alsace?
- Pinot Blanc
Where are the vineyards of Alsace planted?
And the best vineyards?
- On rolling foothills of the Vosges (lower slopes) and on flat plains along the Rhine River.
- On the southeast/east facing slopes
The best Riesling from Alsace grows on what type of soil?
- Granite
“Cuvée Frédéric Emile” is a blend of which two grand cru vineyards?
- Geisberg and Osterberg
Why is Alsace unique regarding the bottling regarding French law?
- The only AOC in France that is allowed to designate its wine by varietal
What are the three designations of Alsace/AOP’s?
- Alsace/Vin d’Alsace AOP (entire region)
- Alsace Grand Cru AOP (51 vineyards)
* can only use Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer
- Cremant d’Alsace AOP
(traditional method sparkling blends)
What is the unique local soil type of Alsace?
- “Grès des Vosges”- Pink Sandstone
What is the only Alsace Grand Cru that allows red grape variety (Pinot Noir) in its wines?
- Altenberg de Bergheim