Alsace and Loire Valley

Question 1

Which region was the last to reach AOC Status in France?

Answer 1

Alsace

Question 2

Where are the Majority of Alsace’s Premier and Grand Cru Wines originated?

Answer 2

Haut- Rhin

Question 3

What Mountain Rage separates Alsace from the rest of France

Answer 3

The Vosges Mountains. These Mountains provide a “rain Shadow “effect. Making Alsace France’s Driest and Sunnest Climate.

Question 4

What is the Climate of Alsace?

Answer 4

Semi- continental

Question 5

What is the Soil Type in Alsace?

Answer 5

Granite, Limestone, Schist, Clay ,Gravel, Chalk, Pink Sandstone”gres de Vosges”

Question 6

What style of Wine does Alsace Produce the Most of ?

Answer 6

White wine, 90%

Question 7

What are the Four Noble White Grapes in Alsace ?

Answer 7

Riesling, Pinot Gris Muscat and Gewürztraminer.

Question 8

What is the most Planted Grape in Alsace ?

Answer 8

Riesling,usually more dry and powerful with Higher Alcohol then German Cousins.

Question 9

What does it mean when you see the Term Edelzwicker ?

Answer 9

Noble Mixture , usually an inexpensive wine.

Question 10

What is a standard for Grand Cru labeling ?

Answer 10

Wine must come from a single varietal “noble grape” Hand Harvesting, minimum alcohol 11%

Question 11

What is Vendages Tardives and Selections de Grains Nobles ?

Answer 11

Terms to Imply Sweetness, Vendanges Tardives shows more botryis character.

Question 12

What does SGN Stand For?

Answer 12

Selections de Grains Nobles, In practice are always dessert like. but VT wines may vary in actual sugar and can be quite dry.

Question 13

What is the only Red AOP in Alsace?

Answer 13

Pinot Noir

Question 14

What is the Geographic Location of Jura?

Answer 14

South of Alsace, the Jura shares a small portion of its eastern border with Switzerland.

Question 15

How did the Jura get its name?

Answer 15

Named after the Jurassic Era, where the geologic limestone formations of the age were first studied. Soil is also rich with clay and Marl.

Question 16

What is the Climate in the Jura ?

Answer 16

Continental, turning harshly cold in the wintertime.

Question 17

What is the standard appellation in the Jura ?

Answer 17

Cotes du Jura AOP. Covering all three colors

Question 18

What are the Common Grape varieties of the Jura ?

Answer 18

Poulsard, trousseau, pino noir, the dry wines are usually 100% chardonnay.

Question 19

What is vin jaune?

Answer 19

A style of wine where the white wine is deliberately oxidized and may age for decades. Nutty curried flavor.

Question 20

Where is Savoie ?

Answer 20

South of the Jura, Alpine region a haven for tourist and skiers. Continental Climate

Question 21

What is the appellation in Savoie?

Answer 21

Vin de Savoie AOP.

Question 22

What are the major grapes of Savoie ?

Answer 22

Altesse, Roussanne, Chardonnay. Red Gamay Mondeuse and Pinot Noir.

Question 23

What wines does Savoie produce ?

Answer 23

All three colors.

Question 24

What is another appellation in Savoie ?

Answer 24

Seyssel AOP, Makes quality sparkling and Wines with 100% Altesse.

Question 25

Loire Valley

Answer 25

Produces the second largest amount of white wine in France, and is second only to Champagne in Sparkling.

Question 26

What are the Primary white grapes in Loire Valley ?

Answer 26

Chein Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne.

Question 27

What are the Primary Red Grapes grown in Loire Valley ?

Answer 27

Discribed as lighter bodied high acidity, main varieties are Cabernet Franc, pinot Noir, Gamay, vabernet sauvignon, Malbec.

Question 28

Pays Nantais

Answer 28

A region in Loire located in the south, produces neutral bone dry acidic white wines from Melon de Bourgogne

Question 29

What type of wines does Anjou-Saumur produce ?

Answer 29

Every style of wine, sparkling dry and sweet. High acidity Chenin Blanc.

Question 30

What is Red wine does the Loire Produce Best ?

Answer 30

Cabernet Franc coming from Chinon AOP and Bourgueil AOP. Brimming with Raspberry green tobacco and silky tannins.

Question 31

What types of wine does Vouvray produce ?

Answer 31

White Wine, Chenin Blanc with a range of sweetness level.

Question 32

In Touraine what appellation predominantly uses Sauvignon Blanc ?

Answer 32

Valencay

Question 33

What is the Climate of the Central Vineyards ?

Answer 33

Continental;cold winters and brisk days during harvest and budbreak.

Question 34

What are the central Vineyards best wines ?

Answer 34

Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 35

Name two AOP's that produce great Sauvignon Blanc in the Central Vineyards ?

Answer 35

Sancerre AOP and Pouilly-Fume AOP. Classic Style Steely Pungent herbaceous mineral-laden made for youthful drinking.

Question 36

Alsace is predominately white?

Answer 36

True

Question 37

What is the Climate n Alsace?

Answer 37

Dry Sunny and semi- continental

Question 38

What is Rain Shadow?

Answer 38

Effect from mnts. blocking clouds to a region excample Vosges Mnts

Question 39

What are the 4 noble grapes in Alsace

Answer 39

Riesling. Pinot Gris. Muscat. Gewurztraminer.

Question 40

Which Alsace label Term indicates a high Quality Blend?

Answer 40

Gentil

Question 41

How many Vineyards have earned the Alsace Grand Cru appellation?

Answer 41

51

Question 42

What is Chateau Chalon ?

Answer 42

A commune appellation that mandates Vin Jaune from the Savagin grape- Oxidative style, aged for at 6 years.

Question 43

What is vin de Paille ?

Answer 43

Sweet wine made from grapes dried on straw mats for at least 6 weeks.

Question 44

Where is Arbois?

Answer 44

Jura