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France > Alsace > Flashcards

Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

T or F? Riesling is indigenous to France.

A

False. Riesling is indigenous to Germany (the Rhine Valley)

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2
Q

Klevner or Pinot Vrai is more commonly known as . . .

A

Pinot Blanc

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3
Q

T or F? Chaptalization is common in Alsace

A

False. The technique is disappearing as a result of global warming.

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4
Q

T or F? Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim may be blended.

A

True. But if blended it must be 50 percent Riesling.

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5
Q

T or F? Alsace is the most northerly wine region in France.

A

False. Champagne is slightly farther to the north than Alsace

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6
Q

A former name for Pinot Gris is . . .

A

. . . Tokay d’Alsace

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7
Q

In which direction do the best slopes in Alsace face?

A

South/southeast

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8
Q

T or F? Grapes for the Alsace AOC can be sourced from any part of Alsace

A

True

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9
Q

T or F? A wine labeled “Alsace AOC” can be still or sparkling.

A

False. Sparkling wines are labeled “Crémant d’Alsace”. They are a separate appellation.

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10
Q

What are the aging requirements of Crémant d’Alsace?

A

Nine months sur lie, plus 3 months in the cellar (12 months total)

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11
Q

Auxerrois Blanc is a cross between . . .

A

. . . Gouais Blanc and Pinot

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12
Q

T or F? Alsace is one of only two regions in France where Riesling is permitted.

A

True. Riesling has only recently been permitted in Languedoc.

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13
Q

T or F? The AOC-approved yields for Alsace are the highest in France.

A

True. They are generally 80 hl/ha for whites.

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14
Q

T or F? As a result of global climate change, Pinot Noir is becoming harder to grow in Alsace.

A

False. Pinot Noir is becoming easier to grow and darker in color.

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15
Q

T or F? Sylvaner is permitted in Alsace Grand Cru wines.

A

True. But only in one vineyard, Zotzenberg.

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16
Q

Grand Cru Kaefferkopf, when bottled as a blend, must contain a majority of which grape?

A

Gewurztraminer.

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17
Q

“Tokay d’Alsace” is a former name for . . .

A

. . . Pinot Gris. “Tokay d’Alsace” is no longer permitted under EU law.

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18
Q

What is the difference between Klevner and Klevener?

A

Klevner is Pinot Blanc, a genetic mutation of Pinot Gris. Klevener is Savagnin Rose, a secondary grape in Alsace.

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19
Q

What are the two Muscats grown in Alsace?

A

Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc and Muscat Ottonel. (Muscat à Petits Grains is considered higher quality.)

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20
Q

T or F? Crémant d’Alsace is primarily made from Chardonnay.

A

False. Crémant d’Alsace is mostly Pinot Blanc, but Chardonnay can be used as well.

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21
Q

T or F? A wine labeled “Sélections de Grains Nobles” must be made from grapes affected by botrytis.

A

True. This is a requirement.

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22
Q

On which bottles of Alsace wine is vintage labeling optional?

A

Edelzwicker

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23
Q

What are the seven primary grape varieties in Alsace?

A

Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner, Muscat

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24
Q

What type of bottle is commonly used for wines in both Germany and Alsace?

A

The “flute”, a long-tapered bottle.

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25
Q

What is the AOC for sparkling wine in Alsace?

A

Crémant d’Alsace AOC

26
Q

What are the four secondary white grapes of Alsace?

A

Chardonnay, Chasselas, Klevener (Savagnin Rose), Auxerrois Blanc

27
Q

T or F? In Alsace, Grand Cru wines may be red or white.

A

False. Grand Crus are white only.

28
Q

What red grape is permitted in Alsace?

A

Pinot Nor

29
Q

What are the four noble white varieties in Alsace?

A

Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer

30
Q

What is a “graben”?

A

A grave-like trench caused by geologic uplift, then collapse on parallel fault lines. In Alsace, the faulting was followed by erosion, creating a complex network of soil.

31
Q

What percentage of Alsace wine is white?

A

90%

32
Q

Savagnin Rose is also known as . . .

A

. . . Klevener (not to be confused with Klevner).

33
Q

What are the four permitted grapes in Alsace Grand Cru?

A

Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Gewurztraminer

34
Q

What are four German influences on Alsace wines?

A

Varietal labeling, flute bottle, Riesling and German phonics

35
Q

What is the most widely-planted grape in Alsace?

A

Riesling

36
Q

T or F? Grass may be planted between rows of vines to increase grape yields.

A

False. Grass is planted to decrease yields (because grass competes with the vines for nutrients).

37
Q

T or F? Wines in Alsace may be designated AOC, IGP or Vin sans IG.

A

False. All wines in Alsace are AOC. in 2011, the number of AOCs expanded from 3 to 53!

38
Q

In an effort to combat phylloxera in Alsace, in the late nineteenth century vignerons were encouraged to . . .

A

. . . plant high-yield, low-quality hybrids that could resist the pest.

39
Q

Klevener (not to be confused with Klevner) is also known as . . .

A

. . . Savagnin Rose

40
Q

What is the effect of the Vosges Mountains on vineyards in Alsace?

A

The Vosges provide a rain shadow that ensures mainly sunny and dry growing conditions.

41
Q

The Sylvaner grape, although grown in Alsace, is believed to be native to . . .

A

. . . Austria

42
Q

What is the climate in Alsace?

A

Continental, with large seasonal and diurnal temperature swings

43
Q

Where is Alsace located?

A

Northeast France bordering Germany. Nestled between the Vosges Mountains to the west and the Rhine River to the east.

44
Q

What is the effect of the Vosges Mountains on viticulture?

A

The Vosges Mountains create a rain shadow protecting the region from the harsh, rainy weather coming from Northern France and the Atlantic.

45
Q

How is Alsace divided geographically and what are the different areas like?

A

The region is divided in half into departmental boundaries. Bas-Rhin is to the north and has lower elevation and less protection from the Vosges. Haut-Rhin is to the south, has higher elevation, and is the location of the best vineyards.

46
Q

What is the climate like in Alsace?

A

Cool continental because of the northerly latitude
Dry, sunny summers due to the rain shadow from the Vosges
Alsace is one of the driest regions in France

47
Q

Alsace Topography/Aspect

A

Vineyards are planted on the rolling foothills of the Vosges Mountains
The region also features flat plains along the Rhine River

48
Q

Alsace Soil

A

There is tremendous diversity across the region because of ancient geologic activity, with various soil types including marl, limestone, gneiss, schist, sandstone, granite, clay, and volcanic soils

49
Q

Alsace Viticulture

A

Long, cool dry growing season due to the rain shadow cast by the Vosges Mountains. The better vineyards are planted on the lower slopes facing east-southeast

50
Q

Cause: Rain shadow from the Vosges Mountains

A 
Drier climate
Sunnier climate (not necessarily warmer)
Long growing season
Riper grapes
Higher alcohol potential
Fuller-bodied wines
51
Q

Alsace Vinification

A

Neutral casks often used for fermentation and aging

Little to no use of new oak

52
Q

Alsace Regional Wine Law

A

Most wines are labeled by reference to the single grape variety utilized

53
Q

Alsace Appellations: Alsace/Vin de Alsace AOP

A

One AOP covering the entire region. All Alsace AOP wines must be bottled in the traditional tall, slender Flute d’Alsace style bottles

54
Q

Alsace Grand Cru AOP

A

51 Grand Crus vineyards
Four grape varieties are allowed to be planted in these vineyards: Riesling, Gewurz, Muscat, Pinot Gris
These varieties are matched with the specific soil type and terroir of the specific vineyard site

55
Q

Cremant d’Alsace AOP

A

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

56
Q

Late Harvest Wines: Vendange Tardive (VT)

A

Late-harvest (may also be affected by botrytis)

Rich, full-bodied, but not always sweet

57
Q

Late Harvest Wines: Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN)

A

These wines are always affected by botrytis, made in very small quantities, only in vintages when growing conditions are conducive to their production

58
Q

When did Alsace achieve AOC status?

A

In 1962, Alsace finally achieved AOC status—the last major French winemaking region to do so.

59
Q

Where are most of the Grand Crus located?

A

over two-thirds of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in the Haut-Rhin

60
Q

What is another name for Chasselas?

A

Gutedel

61
Q

Grapes permitted for cremant.

A

Chard, riesling, pinot gris, auxerrois,pinot blanc, pinot noir

62
Q

gres de vosges

A

local pink sandstone

France (3 decks)

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