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Master Sommelier 2025 > Alsace, Jura, and Savoie > Flashcards

Alsace, Jura, and Savoie Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

If a wine is white and labeled Bugey “Manicle” what grape is used to produce it? What if it’s red?

A

100% Chardonnay if white

100% Pinot Noir if red

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2
Q

What are the two late harvest designations in Alsace? When were each first produced?

A

Vendanges Tardives
Selections de Grains Nobles

Both were introduced in 1984

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3
Q

What is the synonym for Pinot Blanc in Alsace? Chasselas? Savagnin?

A

Klevner (Pinot Blanc)
Gutedel (Chasselas)
Klevener (Savagnin)

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4
Q

What type of soil type dominates the higher altitude vineyards of the Jura? The lower altitude sites?

A

Jurassic limestone and marl (higher altitude vineyards)

Clay (lower sites)

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5
Q

Which late harvest designation correlates to wines that suppress varietal character in return for the complexities of botrytis? What style (sweetness) are these wines in practice?

A

Selections de Grains Nobles

Dessert-like sweet

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6
Q

How does Alsatian Riesling compare in style to German Riesling?

A

Characteristically dry, more powerful, and higher in alcohol than their German cousins

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7
Q

Clos-Ste-Hune is considered one of the greatest expressions of Riesling in the world. From what Grand Cru vineyard does the fruit used for its production come from?

A

Rosacker

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8
Q

Why are Alsatian Rieslings considered to be among the most long-lived white wines in the world?

A

Pronounced acidity and minerality

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9
Q

If a still wine is labeled Bugey “Montagnieu” what grape is used to produce it? What if it’s Mousseux/Pétillant? What three grapes must comprise a minimum of 70% for its production?

A

100% Mondeuse

Mondeuse, Chardonnay, and Altesse must comprise minimum of 70% for its production.

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10
Q

In what style is rosé usually produced in within the Côtes de Jura? What does this mean? What grapes are used most commonly in its production? (5)

A

Vin Gris style. Wine gets its color from a pressing for exclusively rosé where the grapes are almost immediately pressed after a short fermentation. Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Traminer.

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11
Q

Roussette de Savoie AOP wines are made from 100% of what grape that is synonymous with Roussette?

A

Altesse

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12
Q

Why do some producers, while producing wine with fruit from Grand Cru vineyards, choose instead to bottle their wines as Alsace AOP without mention of the vineyard on the label? What is the most notable example of this?

A

The rapid development of the Alsatian Grand Cru system coupled with the lack of an intermediary premier cru has many producers feeling that the politics of the vineyard selection has far outweighed the specificity of the site as many vineyards are delisted too largely.

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13
Q

What are the main red and white grapes respectively used for the production of Moselle AOP wines?

A

Pinot Noir for red

Auxerrois for whites

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14
Q

What are two Grand Cru vineyards notable for blending?

A

Altenberg de Bergheim

Kaefferkopf

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15
Q

Which noble grape is considered the most planted in Alsace?

A

Riesling

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16
Q

What is the minimum atm measure of pressure that a bottle of Crémant d’Alsace must be bottled under?

A

4 atmospheres is the minimum

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17
Q

With sweetness creeping upwards in recent years, Alsatian AOP law mandates that from what year forward that the standard Riesling must be dry in style?

A

2008

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18
Q

Which Grand Cru vineyard produces its varietal bottlings from a non-noble grape? What’s the grape?

A

Zotzenberg

Sylvaner

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19
Q

What is the name of the appellation that produces exclusively Vin Jaune?

A

Château Chalon

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20
Q

What three permutations of Muscat exist in Alsace?

A

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains
Muscat Ottonel

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21
Q

The AOP of L’Etoile is named after what? What style of wine is produced here and from what grapes?

A

Takes its name from a local fossil, shaped like a five-pointed star

Oxidative style is the norm here made from Chardonnay, Poulsard, and Savagnin

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22
Q

What soils are mostly present on the Mountain slopes in Alsace? The lower slopes? The plains?

A

Schist, granite, and volcanic sediments (Mountain slopes)

Limestone base (lower slopes)

Richer alluvial clay and gravel (plains)

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23
Q

Rosacker is located in what village? What is the major soil type here?

A

Hunawihr

Dolomitic Limestone is the main soil type here.

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24
Q

Where does Jura get its name?

A

Jurassic limestone that it sits on top of

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25
Q

What are the four noble grapes of Alsace?

A

Riesling
Muscat
Gewürztraminer
Pinot Gris

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26
Q

What mountain range separates Alsace from the rest of France and is responsible for the dry climate of the region?

A

Vosges Mountains

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27
Q

Sparkling wine is produced in Vin de Savoie AOP and is labeled with one of which two designations? What’s the difference?

A

Vin de Savoie Mousseux (bottled under higher pressure, more effervescent)

Vin de Savoie Pétillant

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28
Q

What grape is commonly blended with Pinot Blanc and can actually be labled Pinot Blanc without any blended in?

A

Auxerrois

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29
Q

Which late harvest designation may show botrytis but emphasizes varietal purity and vary in actual RS and can be quite dry?

A

Vendanges Tardives

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30
Q

For how long are Vin de Paille wines aged prior to their release? How much of this time must be spend in neutral wood barrels?

A

Minimum 3 years of aging with 18 months in neutral wood barrels

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31
Q

Which appellation in Vin de Savoie AOP produces wine from 100% Roussanne?

A

Chignin-Bergeron

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32
Q

What is the VDL appellation in Jura? How is it produced (ingredients)?

A

Macvin du Jura

Aged Marc is added to unfermented grape must, resulting in a sweet, unfermented but alcoholic grape juice.

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33
Q

In what year did a divergence in style begin between the way wine was being made in Germany compared to Alsace?

A

1945

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34
Q

The better vineyards of Alsace face what direction?

A

Southern, southeastern, or warm eastern exposures

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35
Q

What red and white grape(s) respectively are the major grapes used for the production of Côtes de Toul AOP wines?

A

Rouge - 100% Pinot Noir

Blanc - Auxxerois and Aubin

36
Q

Prior to 2011 how many Grand Cru appellations existed for Alsace Grand Cru AOP wine?

A

1 for all Grands Crus

After 2011 each Grand Cru received its own appellation.

37
Q

Which non-noble grapes can be bottled to produce AOP wine in Alsace? (4)

A

Pinot Noir
Sylvaner
Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Chasselas (Gutedel)

38
Q

Following fermentation, wine destined to become Vin Jaune is kept in barrel until what date?

A

Until December 15 of the sixth year following harvest.

39
Q

What is the only red grape allowed to be used in the production of Alsace AOP wine?

A

Pinot Noir

40
Q

In regards to style how does Gewürztraminer compare to Muscat?

A

Gewürztraminer is higher in alcohol and more likely to be off-dry

41
Q

What is the smallest Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace? Size? Largest/Size?

A

Kanzlerberg (3ha)

Schlossberg (80ha)

42
Q

What three wars had the most significant impact on viticulture in Alsace?

A

Thirty Years War
WWI
WWII

43
Q

What percentage of Alsace’s total AOP output is white wine? What % of all white French AOP white wine is produced in Alsace?

A

90% is white

44
Q

What is the synonym for Roussanne in Savoie? What three other grapes are commonly used in the production of white wine in the Vin de Savoie AOP?

A

Bergeron

Jacquère
Altesse
Chardonnay

45
Q

What is difficult to discern about a bottle of white wine from the Jura from just from the information provided on the label? Assume that you’re unfamiliar with the producer and the wine.

A

Whether it is oxidative or not in style.

46
Q

In what village is Zotzenberg located? What is the major soiltype of this vineyard? Grape? Who is the producer?

A

Mittelbergheim

Marl-Limestone is the main soil type here

Sylvaner is the grape

Albert Setz

47
Q

What is straw wine known as in the Côtes de Jura? What kind of grapes are used in its production? For how long are they left to dry after harvest? What must weight do they surpass following the drying process? Are the grapes botrytized? What three AOPs may this wine be labeled as?

A

Vin de Paille

Ripe but not botrytised grapes are left to dry for a minimum of 6 weeks after harvest

Must have minimum must weight of 320g/L

Arbois AOP
L’Etoile AOP
Côtes du Jura AOP

48
Q

Minimum potential alcohol is higher for Grand Cru Alsace AOP wine. What is the minimum potential alcohol that must be observed prior to fermentation for each noble grape variety?

A

Riesling and Muscat (11%)

Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris (12.5%)

49
Q

Vin Jaune can be bottled under which two AOPs?

A

Côtes du Jura AOP

Château Chalon AOP

50
Q

What three red grapes make most of the red wine produced in the Côtes de Jura AOP?

A

Poulsard (Ploussard)
Trousseau
Pinot Noir

51
Q

Who produces Clos St Urbain? What village is it located near? What is the soil type of this vineyard?

A

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht (Producer)

Thann (Village)

Volcanic Soils (Soil)

52
Q

Both styles of late harvest wines are produced from hand-harvested fruit and must contain high must weights prior to fermentation. What are the minimum must weights for each of the noble varieties for both designations? Hint: RM & PGG

A

Vendanges Tardives:
Riesling and Muscat (235 g/L)
Pinot Gris & Gewürztraminer (257 g/L)

Selections de Grains Nobles:
Riesling & Muscat (276 g/L)
Pinot Gris & Gewürztraminer (306 g/L)

53
Q

Which four communes may append their name to the Roussette de Savoie AOP?

A

Frangy
Marestel
Monterminod
Monthoux

54
Q

For how long must a bottle of Crémant d’Alsace age on its lees prior to disgorging? For how long total must it age prior to release?

A

9 months on the lees before disgorgement

1 year total before release

55
Q

What are the three blending designations in Alsace? How do they differ in regards to production and labeling?

A

Edelzwicker - Does not need to be vintage-dated and not legally obligated to use more than one grape.In practice are blends but do not need to list varietals

Gentil - Superior designation for blends, requiring a minimum of 50% noble grapes.Base wines must be vinified separately

Field Blends - grapes are typically vinified together and produced under a vineyard name.

56
Q

What is the only village allowed to append its name to Arbois AOP wines?

A

Pupillin

57
Q

What is the name of the méthode ancestrale wine produced in Bugey? What grapes are used in its production? For how long must it age on its lees? What is the minimum atm value of pressure that a bottle of this must be bottled under? Minimum sugar level?

A

Bugey-Cerdon

Gamay and Poulsard

Min 2 months on lees
Min 3 atm
min 40g/L

58
Q

Despite its northerly location, Alsatian vineyards ripen with greater regularity than the vineyards of what other two major French wine regions?

A

Loire and Burgundy

59
Q

Who is the most notable producer of the “Field Blend” style?

A

Marcel Deiss

60
Q

When was the first Grand Cru recognized in Alsace? When did the next 24 vineyards get recognized? When were the final 26 get recognized? What was the most recently recognized Grand Cru?

A

1975 (Schlossberg)

Next 24 in 1983

25 in 1992

Last in 2007 (Kaefferkopf)

61
Q

What is the name of the pink sandstone unique to Alsace? What are the other 7 soil types found here?

A

Grés de Vosges

62
Q

What are the two departements of Alsace and which has the highest percentage of Grand Crus?

A

Haut-Rhin (has most Grands Crus)

Bas-Rhin

63
Q

A sparkling wine from Seysell AOP must contain a minimum 10% of what grape? What other grapes are allowed in the blend? (2)

A

Min 10% Altesse

Molette
Chasselas

64
Q

What distilled product is derived from the final pressing of Crémant d’Alsace?

A

Marc d’Alsace

65
Q

Are barrels containing wine destined to become Vin Jaune topped off at any point during the aging process? What is the traditional bottle for Vin Jaune called that reflects this type of aging process? How many centiliters can fit inside this bottle?

A

Barrels are not topped off during the period of aging in barrel. The Clavelin (62cL) is the traditional bottle of Vin Jaune.

66
Q

What are the 5 communes that produce Klevener (Savagnin) AOP wines?

A 
Obernai
Gertwiller
Goxwiller
Heiligenstein
Bourgheim
67
Q

What is the only appellation in Alsace that produces AOP wine that includes Chardonnay among other grapes for its production? What other grapes are allowed here (5)? What two noble varietals are not allowed for production here?

A

Crémant d’Alsace

Pinot Noir
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Auxerrois
Riesling

Gewürztraminer and Muscat are not allowed!!!!

68
Q

In what year did Alsace finally achieve AOC status becoming the last major French wine region to do so?

A

1962

69
Q

Name a producer that produces late harvest wines from both Brand and Sommerberg Grands Crus.

A

Albert Boxler

70
Q

Pinot Gris was previously known as what in Alsace? (2)

A

Tokay d’Alsace or Tokay Pinot Gris

71
Q

In what two vintages during the 1980s was Vin Jaune not produced? When was the last vintage that Vin Jaune was not produced? In both cases the wines produced from these vintages were declassified to what AOP?

A

1980 and 1984

2001 was the last vintage that Vin Jaune was not produced

Declassified to Côtes du Jura AOP

72
Q

What are the three most commonly used red grapes for the production of red Vin de Savoie AOP wines?

A

Gamay
Mondeuse
Pinot Noir

73
Q

In what department is Heiligenstein located and what is the star grape here? What is it a variant of? What Jura grape is it synonymous with?

A

Bas-Rhin

Klevener or Savagnin (variant or Traminer)

Synonymous with Savagnin in the Jura

Savagnin Rose or Klevener de Heiligenstein is a specialty

74
Q

Côtes de Jura whites are typically 100% Gamay Blanc though they can be blended. What is Gamay Blanc more commonly known as? What other grape is commonly blended with it? What is the local synonym for this grape?

A

Chardonnay

Savagnin (Naturé is the local synonym)

75
Q

What three AOPs comprise the larger Côtes de Jura AOP?

A

Arbois AOP
L’Etoile AOP
Château Chalon AOP

76
Q

A still dry or off-dry wine produced in Seyssel AOP will be produced from what grape?

A

100% Altesse (Roussette)

77
Q

Which three village appellations within Vin de Savoie AOP must be produced from a minimum of 80% Chasselas?

A

Marginan
Ripaille
Crépy

78
Q

Vin Jaune is commonly compared to Sherry. What is the major difference between the two? What forms inside the barrel that is largely responsible for this comparison?

A

Vin Jaune is not fortified and Sherry is.

The formation of the voile, a film-forming yeast that covers the wine’s surface, similar to the flor in Jerez for Sherry is largely the reason the comparison is drawn between the two.

79
Q

There are three pressings used for the production of Crémant d’Alsace. What are they called and how much volume does each contain? Which is used for prestige wines? Which is used for distillation?

A

Cuvée - First pressing (50L) and used for prestige wines

Taille - Second pressing (following 47 L)

Final 3 Liters must be used for distillation

80
Q

If a wine is labeled “Pinot” in Alsace what grapes can be used for the production of that wine?

A

Any proportion of Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Auxerrois

81
Q

What is the last noble grape of Alsace to ripen?

A

Riesling

82
Q

Name for Alsace’s Pink Granite Soils?

A

Gres de Vosge

83
Q

What 5 Communes may bottle Klevener de Heiligenstien?

A

Heiligenstein
Bourgheim
Gertwiller
Goxwiler
Obernai

84
Q

In the last 10 years what has been the best vintage in Alsace?

2

A

2015 best in decades

85
Q

Which of the following Alsace vintages 18 19 and 20 had the best conditions for late harvest and sweet wines?

A

2018

86
Q

Describe the 2017 vintage

A

severe frost in spring 20% loss of crop with big effect on cremant hot summer early harvest

Master Sommelier 2025 (32 decks)

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