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