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WSET3 > Alsace & Loire Valley > Flashcards

Alsace & Loire Valley Flashcards

1
Q

Why is Alsace unusual in France

A

Because it labels its wines varietally

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2
Q

What is the climate in Alsace

A

Cool to moderate Continental

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3
Q

What geographical feature has a significant impact on the climate in Alsace

A

The Vosges mountains to the W shelter the region from the prevailing westerly winds and the rain they bring. As a result there are warm sunny cloudless summers and dry autumns meaning the grapes can achieve a high level of ripeness

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4
Q

Where are the best vineyards in Alsace

A

on steep S and SE facing slopes away from the cooler northern end of the vineyard area

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5
Q

Where are the lesser vineyards and what are the grapes from there typically used for

A

The plain between the Vosges foothils and the Rhine. The grapes are used for Cremant de Alsace

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6
Q

What is it about the soils in Alsace that contributes to the wide variety of wines produced

A

There are many different kinds of soil

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7
Q

Describe the differences in vineyard practices betweeen the plains and the slopes

A

Slopes - vines are trained low to maximise exposure to radiated heat from the soil. Rows are oriented to maximise sunlight exposure. Harvest is by hand On the plain vines are trained high to nullify exposure to spring frost

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8
Q

What has assisted the adoption of biodynamic and organic viticulture in Alsace

A

Low disease pressure due to the sunny dry conditions

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9
Q

What causes the logistical issues faced by growers at harvest time in Alsace

A

Many have a number of smaller plots planted with different varietals which ripen at different times. Hence the vintage can be spread across Sept to Nov. ( Dec for VT and SGN wines )

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10
Q

What are the most important grapes of Alsace. Collectively what are they called

A

Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Muscat. Noble grapes

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11
Q

What are the wines that can only be made from noble grapes

A

Selection de Grains Nobles, Vendages Tardives and Grand Cru

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12
Q

What does Edelzwicker or Gentil mean on an Alsace wine label

A

That the wine is an inexpensive blend of multiple varietals made from juice that was not selected to go into a single varietal wine

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13
Q

Does Alsace produce high quality blends or only high quality singe varietals

A

It does but they are rare

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14
Q

Most of the Alsace varietals are aromatic. What wine making decisions does this drive and why

A

Winemakers will strive to preserve the natural fruit and floral aroma of aromatic grapes. Hence the grapes will be handled protectively, fermentation will be in SS or very old large oak vats . MLF will be stopped and there will likely be no post fermentation maceration or new oak maturation

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15
Q

What coats the inside of the old oak barrels commonly used to ferment wines in Alsace. What is its effect

A

Tartrate. Prevents any influence from oak

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16
Q

When are Alsace wines typically bottled

A

In the spring following harvest when the wine is still fresh

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17
Q

What indicates the level of sweetness on a wine label from Alsace

A

Nothing. There is no official labeling scheme to indicate this

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18
Q

Is there any requirement in Alsace to indicate the sweetness level on a bottle of VT wine

A

No

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19
Q

What is the most widely planted noble grape in Alsace

A

Riesling

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20
Q

Describe the best Alsace Rieslings

A

Medium to Full bodied, med alcohol, high acid citrus and stone fruit often with pronounced stony / steely character. Not typically as floral as German Rieslings.

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21
Q

Describe a typical Gewurztraminer

A

Highly aromatic, spicy, lychees, roses and sweet baking spice. Full bodied with an oily texture. Low to med acid and high alcohol

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22
Q

What color is Gewurztraminer and what effect does this have on some wines

A

The grape has a light pink tint giving some wines a golden color

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23
Q

Name 4 Alsace towns from N to S

A

Strasbourg, Selestat, Colmar, Mulhouse

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24
Q

Describe a typical Pinot Gris

A

Full bodied, high alcohol, med acid ( more than Gewurz) rich textured flavors of fresh and dried fruits and honeyed character

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25
Q

What are the 2 kinds of Muscat grown in Alsace. Which is the best

A

Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains and Muscat Ottonel. The former is best but suffers from rot so the later is more common

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26
Q

Describe a typical Muscat

A

Orange blossom, rose and grape

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27
Q

Apart from the 4 noble grapes what others are grown in Alsace

A

Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Sylvaner, Pinot Noir

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28
Q

What black grapes are permitted in Alsace

A

Pinot Noir only

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29
Q

Is Pinot Blanc aromatic…what is its character

A

No. Produces simple and refreshing wines.

30
Q

Describe Auxerrois

A

Similar to Pinot Blanc but slightly spicier and more full bodied

31
Q

Describe Sylvaner

A

Produces perfumed wines with some texture but way less than Gewurz. Best drunk young

32
Q

How are Pinot Noir from Alsace compared to Burgundy

A

Lighter lacking the weight and concentration of Burgundy Pinot

33
Q

What is France’s longest river

A

The Loire

34
Q

What are the 4 sub regions of the Loire Valley

A

Central Vineyards, Touraine, Anjou - Saumur, Natais

35
Q

What is the only designation that covers the whole of the Loire Valley. Is it an AOC or IGP

A

Val de Loire. It is a PGI ( IGP )

36
Q

What is the overall climate of Loire and what are the regional variations if any

A

Overall cool climate. Central Vineyards are Continental whereas Natais is Maritime. Anjou is drier and warmer than might be expected given its proximity to the ocean. Touraine is cooler and wetter

37
Q

What makes the vineyards of Anjou somewhat warmer than Touraine

A

Anjou protected by the Mauges Mtns and has warm stoney soil. Touraine is wetter and has cooler clay soils

38
Q

Given its latitude and climate where are the best vineyards in the Loire located

A

Warm sunny areas, south facing, mid slope facing the river for extra heat and reflected light

39
Q

Where is SB grown. Where are 2 of the most important sites

A

Central Vineyards and Touraine. Sancerre and Pouilly Fume are 2 important sites ( CV )

40
Q

Describe the soils of Sancerre and PF. Describe SB grown there

A

Chalky stoney well draining. High acid, green apple, wet stones. PF sometimes has a flinty smokey aroma

41
Q

What 2 places in Sancerre have a particular reputation for expressive SBs some of which can evolve in the bottle

A

Village of Chavignol and the specific vineyard of Les Monts Dames

42
Q

What wine making techniques are employed to preserve the natural fruit character of SB from Loire

A

Gentle pneumatic pressing and temp controller fermentation in SS.

43
Q

Do Loire SBs typically undergo MLF. What might be an exception to this

A

No as it would denature the fruit flavor. An exception might be in a bad vintage when the wine is too acid

44
Q

Where else in the Central Vineyard region is important for production of SB

A

Menetou Salon

45
Q

Where does the majority of Loire SB come from. How might they be labelled typically. What style

A

Touraine

Sauvignon de Touraine. Simple fruity but less concentrated than CV

46
Q

Describe Chenin Blanc grape - where is it grown in the Loire

A

High acid non aromatic white grape. Grown in Touraine and Anjou-Saumur

47
Q

What is a complication when harvesting CB that means many passes thru the vineyard may be required

A

The grapes even from one bunch ripen at different rates

48
Q

Chenin B can be made into what styles of wine according to what ?

A

Sparkling, dry, off dry, sweet depending on the ripeness of the grapes at harvest

49
Q

What is barely ripe CB typically made into and with what typical ABV

A

Sparkling wine with ABV 10-11%

50
Q

What flavor profiles do young CB exhibit

A

fresh apple to tropical fruit depending on ripeness. Dry wines often have a smoky steely character and the sweet wines apricot and honey from noble rot

51
Q

Can CB age. If so what flavors would develop

A

Yes for decades. honey, toast and hay

52
Q

Where is Vouvray, what is its climate & soil type. What range of wine styles are produced there

A

To the east of Tours. Cool climate and clay soils produce light-med bodied wines with fresh fruit and floral notes. Can range from dry to lusciously sweet. Also sparkling

53
Q

Where are Anjou and Saumur. Climate and Soil. What style of wine made there

A

to the west of Vouvray…climate and soil similar to Vouvray
Saumur makes sparklers
Anjou makes still dry wines matured in new oak

54
Q

What 2 regions to the west of Anjou Saumur also make CB. Climate and Style

A

Savennieres and Coteaux du Layon. Climate is warmer so wines are more full bodied

55
Q

Describe the CB made in Savennieres

A

Full bodied dry chenin blanc. Late harvested grapes free of rot ( well exposed vineyards ) enables production of full bodied, complex, dry wines. Can evolve in bottle for decades

56
Q

Describe the CB made in Coteaux du Layon

A

Noted for production of sweet wine. Sheltered in the Valley of the river Layon noble rot develops well

57
Q

What are 2 of the best known sites in Coteaux du Layon

A

Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux

58
Q

What names is Muscat also known as. What makes it an ideal cool climate grape. Where is it mainly grown n the Loire

A

Melon de Bourgogne, Muscadet
It is early ripening and frost resistant
In the Nantais region to the south of the river

59
Q

What is the best Muscadet appellation and what profile do all the Muscadet appellation wines share

A

Muscadet Sevre et Maine.

Dry med alcohol ( max is 12%), high acid, light body, green fruit flavors. These days fermented in SS not oak

60
Q

What is a speciality of Muscadet Sevre et Maine

A

Sur Lie. Bottled in the spring after a winter on its lees

61
Q

Why is Can Franc well suited to the Loire

A

It flowers and ripens early

62
Q

Where is Cab Franc grown in Touraine

A

In Touraine - Bourgeuil, St Nicholas de Bourgeuil and Chinon .

63
Q

How does the style of Cab Fran vary according to the type of soil

A

Sandy soil makes light fruity early drinking wines
South facing slopes with limestone clay soils produce fuller bodied, more tannic which when aged in oak can mature in the bottle.

64
Q

Describe the wines produced further west than Touraine and where are they made

A

Saumur and Saumur Champigny. Lighter in body and tannin than Touraine but display juicy berry fruit and sometimes floral notes

65
Q

What is the second most planted grape in Loire and where is it planted

A

Gamay is planted in Touraine and Anjou

66
Q

What other black grape apart from Gamay and Cab Franc is grown in Loire

A

Pinot in the Central Vineyards

67
Q

Where is Rose made in the Loire

A

Anjou-Saumur, Touraine and Sancerre

68
Q

Where is Rose de Loire made. What must it contain as part of the blend

A

Anjou Saumur and Touraine

A min of 30% Cab Franc or Cab Sauvignon

69
Q

Apart from Rose de Loire what are 2 other Rose appellations of Anjou Saumur

A

Cabernet D’Anjou - always sweet and made from Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon
Rose D’Anjou is less sweet and made from Grolleau and Cab Franc

70
Q

Describe the Rose wines of Touraine and Sancerre

A

Touraine - fresh dry fruity

Sancerre - Pinot noir. Light, dry pale with delicate fruit

71
Q

How are Loire Roses typically made

A

Gentle direct press or short maceration on skins, Fermented in inert, temp controlled SS

WSET3 (25 decks)

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