Alsace FWS Online Flashcards & Quiz
What are the 7 focus grapes of Alsace?
Riesling
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
In Alsace, which 4 grapes are considered “noble”?
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
T or F: Riesling is indigenous to France.
False. Riesling is indigenous to Germany’s Rhine Valley.
Sylvaner, although grown in Alsace, is believed to be native to which country?
Austria
T or F: There are 13 soil types in Alsace.
True. The soils in Alsace are complex.
How has climate change impacted the historically dry wine style of Alsace?
Sugar levels are rising and more off-dry wines are being produced.
What is the traditional synonym for Pinot Blanc in Alsace?
Klevner
What is the climate of Alsace?
Continental
Which Alsace AOC produces sparkling wine?
Cremant d’Alsace AOC
What is an “Edelzwicker”?
A white Alsace wine made from a blend of any of the approved white grapes of Alsace. Vintage dating is optional.
What type of bottle is commonly used for the wines of Alsace?
The “flute d’Alsace” - a tall, tapered bottle.
What is “Gentil”?
a blended white wine containing at least 50% of the 4 noble grapes of Alsace.
What are the 2 categories of dessert wines produced in Alsace?
Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles.
T or F: In Alsace, each Grand Cru is a separate AOC.
True. This has been the case since 2011.
T or F: “Selection de Grains Nobles” wines must be made from grapes affected by botrytis.
True
What is a “lieu-dit”?
a parcel of land within a single commune that is a legally registered cadastral unit.
Which topographical feature contributes to the dry, sunny climate of Alsace?
The Vosges Mountains
T or F: Machine harvesting is common in Alsace.
False. Most vineyards are hand harvested.
What is a “Graben”?
Geologically-speaking, a graben is a trench that has sunk between two parallel fault lines.
What is a “Foudre”?
A traditional, large, oak cask.
How much of Alsace’s total production consists of blended wines?
20%
How many AOCs are there in Alsace?
53
How many Grands Crus are there in Alsace?
51
Generally, in Alsace, if a grape variety is shown on the label, it must comprise what % of that wine?
100% - Pinot Blanc is the exception to this rule.
What is the principal vine training method in Alsace?
Guyot
How many Grands Crus allow blends?
2 - Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf.
How many Grand Cru AOCs allow the use of Sylvaner?
1 - Zotzenberg
T or F: Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles wines have their own separate AOCs.
False. These are wine styles within the Alsace AOC and the Alsaace Grand Cru AOCs.
How many Grands Crus permit the production of red wines made from Pinot Noir?
2 - Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr
What is the name of the wine region on the western side of the Vosges Mountains?
Lorraine
In which century was Alsace first incorporated into France?
17th
Is Gewurztraminer Focal or Ancillary?
Focal
Is Auxerrois Focal or Ancillary?
Ancillary
Is Muscat Focal or Ancillary?
Focal
Is Klevener de Heiligenstein Focal or Ancillary?
Ancillary
Is Chardonnary Focal or Ancillary?
Ancillary
Is Pinot Noir Focal or Ancillary?
Focal
Is Pinot Gris Focal or Ancillary?
Focal
Is Pinot Blanc Focal or Ancillary?
Focal
Is Sylvaner Focal or Ancillary?
Focal
Is Chasselas Focal or Ancillary?
Ancillary
Is Riesling Focal or Ancillary?
Focal
After which war did Alsace become part of the German empire?
The Franco-Prussian War
Name the 4 Noble Grape Varieties of Alsace.
Riesling. Pinot Gris. Gewurztraminer. Muscat.
Is Auxerrois used in AOC Alsace Only OR both AOC and Grand Cru wines?
AOC Only
Is Pinot Gris used in AOC Alsace Only OR both AOC and Grand Cru wines?
Both AOC and Grand Cru
Is Muscat used in AOC Alsace Only OR both AOC and Grand Cru wines?
Both AOC and Grand Cru
Is Klevener de Heiligenstein used in AOC Alsace Only OR both AOC and Grand Cru wines?
AOC Only
Is Pinot Blanc used in AOC Alsace Only OR both AOC and Grand Cru wines?
AOC only
Is Pinot Noir used in AOC Alsace Only OR both AOC and Grand Cru wines?
Both AOC and Grand Cru
Is Sylvaner grown in Zotzenberg used in AOC Alsace Only OR both AOC and Grand Cru wines?
Both AOC and Grand Cru
Is Chasselas used in AOC Alsace Only OR both AOC and Grand Cru wines?
Only AOC
Is Riesling used in AOC Alsace Only OR both AOC and Grand Cru wines?
Both AOC and Grand Cru
Is Gewurztraminer used in AOC Alsace Only OR both AOC and Grand Cru wines?
Both AOC and Grand Cru
T or F: Alsace enjoys a Maritime climate.
False.
Riesling’s classic flavor profiles are…
citrus, honeysuckle, linden, jasmine, apple, floral, petrol.
Gewurztraminer’s classic flavor profiles are…
ginger, rose, lychee.
Pinot Gris’s classic flavor profiles are…
pear, honey.
Muscat’s classic flavor profiles are…
grapes, flowers
What mountain range protects the vineyards of Alsace from bad weather brought across northern France by westerly winds?
Vosges Mountains
Gewurztraminer is…
A. permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles
B. Only dry wines.
A. Used in sweet wines.
Auxerrois is…
A. permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles
B. Only dry wines.
B. Only dry wines.
Sylvaner is…
A. permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles
B. Only dry wines.
B. Only dry wines.
Pinot Noir is…
A. permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles
B. Only dry wines.
B. Only dry wines.
Chasselas is…
A. permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles
B. Only dry wines.
B. Only dry wines.
Pinot Blanc is…
A. permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles
B. Only dry wines.
B. Only dry wines.
Muscat is…
A. permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles
B. Only dry wines.
A. Used in sweet wines.
Pinot Gris is…
A. permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles
B. Only dry wines.
A. Used in sweet wines.
Riesling is…
A. permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles
B. Only dry wines.
A. Used in sweet wines.
Klevener de Heiligenstein is…
A. permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles
B. Only dry wines.
B. Only dry wines.
Of the grape vaerieties permitted to be used for Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles production, 2 are used much more frequently than others. Which 2 are they?
Gewurztraminer & Pinot Gris
For an Alsace wine to be varietally labeled, what percentage of the grape specified on the label must be used?
100%
Edelzwicker regulations are…
any permitted white grapes, can be vinified together - declaration of vintage is optional.
Gentil regulations are…
at least 50% noble grapes, vinfied separately - vintage must be declared.
An Alsace wine labelled Pinot Blanc can contain?
100% Pinot Blanc.
100% Auxerrois.
Any blend of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois.
What is another local name for Pinot Blanc in Alsace?
Klevner
is Lieu-Dit a…
A. Regional AOC
B. Site Specific AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
is Alsace AOC a…
A. Regional AOC
B. Site Specific AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
A. Regional AOC
is Alsace Grand Cru a…
A. Regional AOC
B. Site Specific AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
B. Site Specific AOC
is Vendanges Tardives a…
A. Regional AOC
B. Site Specific AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
is Cremant d’Alsace a…
A. Regional AOC
B. Site Specific AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
A. Regional AOC
is Selection de Grains Nobles a…
A. Regional AOC
B. Site Specific AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
is Edelzwicker a…
A. Regional AOC
B. Site Specific AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
is Gentil a…
A. Regional AOC
B. Site Specific AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
C. Not a Separate AOC
How has the Germanic cultural influence left its mark on wines of Alsace?
- The Germanic bottle shape - the Flute d’Alsace
- Varietal labeling
- The importance of Riesling
T or F: Most of the vineards in Alsace are planted on the slopes of the Vosges foothills and face south or southeast.
True
can Chardonnay be used in Pinot d’Alsace?
No
can Pinot Blanc be used in Pinot d’Alsace?
Yes
can Gewurtzraminer be used in Pinot d’Alsace?
No
can Auxerrois be used in Pinot d’Alsace?
Yes
can Riesling be used in Pinot d’Alsace?
No
can Muscat be used in Pinot d’Alsace?
No
can Chasselas be used in Pinot d’Alsace?
No
can Pinot Noir be used in Pinot d’Alsace?
Yes
can Pinot Gris be used in Pinot d’Alsace?
Yes
Why does the harvest in Alsace run from September to November?
- Different grape varieties ripen at different time.
- Some sites are warmer with more sun and some are cooler, so sites ripen at different times.
- Grapes for sparkling need more acidity and so less ripeness.
- Grapes for sweet wines need more sugar and so more ripeness.
- Alsace has 13 different soil types. Cool soils daly ripening, warm soils speed up ripening.
T or F: Alsace Communal wines and Alsace Liue-Dit wines are not separate AOCs, but sub-categeories of the Alsace AOC.
True
Gewurztraminer is the aromatic version of the non-aromactic Savagnin Rose. What is the Alsace name for Savagnin Rose?
Klevener de Heiligensten
T or F: Since 2008, Pinot Gris - other than Grands Crus, Lieux-Dits and dessert wines - has to be made in a dry style.
False
can Muscat d’Eisenstadt be used in a wine labeled as Muscat in Alsace?
No
can Muscat Ottonel be used in a wine labeled as Muscat in Alsace?
Yes
can Golden Muscat be used in a wine labeled as Muscat in Alsace?
No
can Muscat of Hamburg be used in a wine labeled as Muscat in Alsace?
No
can Goldenmuskateller be used in a wine labeled as Muscat in Alsace?
No
can Muscat of Alexandria be used in a wine labeled as Muscat in Alsace?
No
can Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc be used in a wine labeled as Muscat in Alsace?
Yes
How many major soil types are there in Alsace?
13