Alsace

Question 1

Factors affecting climate.

Answer 1

Vosges Mountains (west)
-Create rainshadow to protect region from the harsh, rainy, weather.

Rhine River (east)

• Water source
• Reflect light on to vineyards
• Retain heat

Question 2

Importance of Vosges

Answer 2

• Create rainshadow for region

- Protects from harsh, rainy climate from France and the Atlantic

Question 3

Sub-Districts

Answer 3

Bas-Rhin (north)

Haut-Rhin (south)

Question 4

Location of Best Vineyards

Answer 4

Haut-Rhin (over 2/3 of grand cru vineyards are lcoated here).

Question 5

Variety of soils in best sites

Answer 5

Marl, limestone, gneiss, schist, sandstone, granite, clay, and volcanic soils.

Question 6

Noble Grape Varietals

Answer 6

Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling

Question 7

Other allowed varietals

Answer 7

Pinot Blanc, Chasselas, Sylvaner, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir

Question 8

Appellations of Alsace

Answer 8

Alsace/ Vin d’Alsace AOP

Alsace Grand Cru AOP

Cremant de Alsace AOP

Question 9

Alsace Grand Cru AOP

Answer 9

• 51 Grand Cru Vineyards

- 4 grape varietals allowed to be planted in AOP

Question 10

Alsace AOP

Answer 10

• One AOP covering entire region

- All wines must be bottles in the traditional Flute d’Alsace bottle

Question 11

Cremant d’Alsace AOP

Answer 11

-Methode Traditionnelle sparkling wines that are usually made from blend of grapes

Question 12

Lieu-dit

Answer 12

Specific part of vineyard or plot that is recognized for its historic or geographical differences

Question 13

Climat

Answer 13

Named vineyard

Question 14

Vendange Tardive (VT)

Answer 14

• Late-harvest (may also be affected by botrytis)

- Rich and full-bodied, but not always sweet

Question 15

Selection de Grains Nobles

Answer 15

• Always affected by botrytis
• Made in small quantities
• Made only in vintages where growing conditions are conducive to their production.

Question 16

Edelzwicker

Answer 16

• “Noble Mixture” (typically inexpensive wine)
• Blends
• No minimum cepage requirements
• Does not need to be vintage dated

Question 17

Gentil

Answer 17

• Blend

- 50% of the blend must be composed of noble varietals

Question 18

When was the first Alsace Grand Cru established?

Answer 18

• 1975

- Other sites added in 1983, 1992, 2007

Question 19

Rangen Grand Cru AOP

Answer 19

• Located in village of Thann
• Most southern Grand Cru
• High altitude, extreme exposure
• Only grand cru with volcanic soils (heat retentive)
• Morning mist (formation of botrytis)

-Producer: Domaine Zind Humbrecht

Question 20

Geisberg Grand Cru AOP

Answer 20

• Inbetween 3 Grand Cru sites: Ribeauville (south), Kirchberg (west), Osterberg (east).
• Steep, terraced site
• Triassic limestone, sandstone, marl
• Site faces fully south
• Top site for Riesling

-Producer: Trimbach “Cuvee Frederich Emile” (since 2008 all Gesiberg Riesling)

Question 21

Muenchberg Grand Cru AOP

Answer 21

• Most northern grand cru site
• Named after monastic settlement 12th century
• Red sandstone with volcanic sediment soil

Question 22

What is the grand cru for Sylvaner ?

Answer 22

Zotensberg