Alsace Flashcards
T or F? Riesling is indigenous to France.
False. Riesling is indigenous to Germany (the Rhine Valley)
Klevner or Pinot Vrai is more commonly known as . . .
Pinot Blanc
T or F? Chaptalization is common in Alsace
False. The technique is disappearing as a result of global warming.
T or F? Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim may be blended.
True. But if blended it must be 50 percent Riesling.
T or F? Alsace is the most northerly wine region in France.
False. Champagne is slightly farther to the north than Alsace
A former name for Pinot Gris is . . .
. . . Tokay d’Alsace
In which direction do the best slopes in Alsace face?
South/southeast
T or F? Grapes for the Alsace AOC can be sourced from any part of Alsace
True
T or F? A wine labeled “Alsace AOC” can be still or sparkling.
False. Sparkling wines are labeled “Crémant d’Alsace”. They are a separate appellation.
What are the aging requirements of Crémant d’Alsace?
Nine months sur lie, plus 3 months in the cellar (12 months total)
Auxerrois Blanc is a cross between . . .
. . . Gouais Blanc and Pinot
T or F? Alsace is one of only two regions in France where Riesling is permitted.
True. Riesling has only recently been permitted in Languedoc.
T or F? The AOC-approved yields for Alsace are the highest in France.
True. They are generally 80 hl/ha for whites.
T or F? As a result of global climate change, Pinot Noir is becoming harder to grow in Alsace.
False. Pinot Noir is becoming easier to grow and darker in color.
T or F? Sylvaner is permitted in Alsace Grand Cru wines.
True. But only in one vineyard, Zotzenberg.
Grand Cru Kaefferkopf, when bottled as a blend, must contain a majority of which grape?
Gewurztraminer.
“Tokay d’Alsace” is a former name for . . .
. . . Pinot Gris. “Tokay d’Alsace” is no longer permitted under EU law.
What is the difference between Klevner and Klevener?
Klevner is Pinot Blanc, a genetic mutation of Pinot Gris. Klevener is Savagnin Rose, a secondary grape in Alsace.
What are the two Muscats grown in Alsace?
Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc and Muscat Ottonel. (Muscat à Petits Grains is considered higher quality.)
T or F? Crémant d’Alsace is primarily made from Chardonnay.
False. Crémant d’Alsace is mostly Pinot Blanc, but Chardonnay can be used as well.
T or F? A wine labeled “Sélections de Grains Nobles” must be made from grapes affected by botrytis.
True. This is a requirement.
On which bottles of Alsace wine is vintage labeling optional?
Edelzwicker
What are the seven primary grape varieties in Alsace?
Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner, Muscat
What type of bottle is commonly used for wines in both Germany and Alsace?
The “flute”, a long-tapered bottle.
What is the AOC for sparkling wine in Alsace?
Crémant d’Alsace AOC
What are the four secondary white grapes of Alsace?
Chardonnay, Chasselas, Klevener (Savagnin Rose), Auxerrois Blanc
T or F? In Alsace, Grand Cru wines may be red or white.
False. Grand Crus are white only.
What red grape is permitted in Alsace?
Pinot Nor
What are the four noble white varieties in Alsace?
Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer
What is a “graben”?
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.
What percentage of Alsace wine is white?
90%
Savagnin Rose is also known as . . .
. . . Klevener (not to be confused with Klevner).
What are the four permitted grapes in Alsace Grand Cru?
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Gewurztraminer
What are four German influences on Alsace wines?
Varietal labeling, flute bottle, Riesling and German phonics
What is the most widely-planted grape in Alsace?
Riesling
T or F? Grass may be planted between rows of vines to increase grape yields.
False. Grass is planted to decrease yields (because grass competes with the vines for nutrients).
T or F? Wines in Alsace may be designated AOC, IGP or Vin sans IG.
False. All wines in Alsace are AOC. in 2011, the number of AOCs expanded from 3 to 53!
In an effort to combat phylloxera in Alsace, in the late nineteenth century vignerons were encouraged to . . .
. . . plant high-yield, low-quality hybrids that could resist the pest.
Klevener (not to be confused with Klevner) is also known as . . .
. . . Savagnin Rose
What is the effect of the Vosges Mountains on vineyards in Alsace?
The Vosges provide a rain shadow that ensures mainly sunny and dry growing conditions.
The Sylvaner grape, although grown in Alsace, is believed to be native to . . .
. . . Austria
What is the climate in Alsace?
Continental, with large seasonal and diurnal temperature swings
Where is Alsace located?
Northeast France bordering Germany. Nestled between the Vosges Mountains to the west and the Rhine River to the east.
What is the effect of the Vosges Mountains on viticulture?
The Vosges Mountains create a rain shadow protecting the region from the harsh, rainy weather coming from Northern France and the Atlantic.
How is Alsace divided geographically and what are the different areas like?
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.
What is the climate like in Alsace?
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
Alsace Topography/Aspect
Vineyards are planted on the rolling foothills of the Vosges Mountains
The region also features flat plains along the Rhine River
Alsace Soil
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
Alsace Viticulture
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
Cause: Rain shadow from the Vosges Mountains
Drier climate Sunnier climate (not necessarily warmer) Long growing season Riper grapes Higher alcohol potential Fuller-bodied wines
Alsace Vinification
Neutral casks often used for fermentation and aging
Little to no use of new oak
Alsace Regional Wine Law
Most wines are labeled by reference to the single grape variety utilized
Alsace Appellations: Alsace/Vin de Alsace AOP
One AOP covering the entire region. All Alsace AOP wines must be bottled in the traditional tall, slender Flute d’Alsace style bottles
Alsace Grand Cru AOP
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
Cremant d’Alsace AOP
Methode Traditionnelle sparkling wines that are usually made from a blend of grapes
Late Harvest Wines: Vendange Tardive (VT)
Late-harvest (may also be affected by botrytis)
Rich, full-bodied, but not always sweet
Late Harvest Wines: Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
These wines are always affected by botrytis, made in very small quantities, only in vintages when growing conditions are conducive to their production
When did Alsace achieve AOC status?
In 1962, Alsace finally achieved AOC status—the last major French winemaking region to do so.
Where are most of the Grand Crus located?
over two-thirds of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in the Haut-Rhin
What is another name for Chasselas?
Gutedel
Grapes permitted for cremant.
Chard, riesling, pinot gris, auxerrois,pinot blanc, pinot noir
gres de vosges
local pink sandstone
