Alsace, Lorraine, Jura, & Savoie Flashcards
Alsace
Name 3 subzones that produce only whites.
Cotes de Barr Klevener de Heilingenstein Vale Noble Woxheim Bergheim
Alsace
Name 3 subzones that product only red wines
Ottrott
Rodern
Saint Hippolyte
What is Schillerwein?
Rose wine
What is the name of the wind going throuhg Alsace?
Foehn
What about Alsace wine labels makes them unusual in France?
100% of printed grape must be in the bottle
How is red made?
Maceration of berries before pressing
What is the smallest and largest Grand Cru of Alsace?
Kanzlerberg (3.2ha)
Schlossberg (80.3ha)
What would you pair Gewurztraminer with?
Mustard and Asian dishes, especially with coconut and spices.
What is the percentage of Grand Cru production?
4%
What are the German Equivalents of VT and SGN?
VT (Vendange Tardive) = Aueslese
SGN (Selection de Grains Nobles) = Bereenausle
Where (and when) does Pinot Gris come from?
Hungary (14th Century)
What are the names of the bottles used in Alsace?
Vin du Rhin or Flutes d’Alsace
Give one example of a good and bad vintage since 2000.
2008: Sunny days, fresh nights, hot days with very little rain.
2006: Good conditions until late season rain. Catastrophic year.
What is the climate of Alsace
Semi-continental; cold & dry winter, hot summer, massive amounts of sunshine.
What are all the clones of Muscat?
Muscat Ottonel
Muscat Blanc et Rose a Petit Grains
Muscat Blanc
What are the northern and southern-most Grand Crus?
Steinklotz
Rangen
Name 2 barrels in Alsace and their corresponding sizes
Aume = 114L Foudre = 1000L
Which press fraction is used for Edelzwicker?
3rd one (1st: Remove protein, 2nd: Best)
Which variety of Alsace is most prone to rot?
Pinot Gris
If you see Pinot Blanc on a bottle, what grapes could it be other than Pinot Blanc itself?
Auxerrios (because they are similar but not the same)
What is the minimum aging time on lees before disgorgement of Cremant?
9 months
Is Chaptalization allowed?
Yes and no.
Not for VT (Vendange Tardive) or SGN (Selection de Grains Nobles)
What is the most common vine training method in Alsace?
Single and Double Guyot
What are the three important geologic factors of Alsace?
Rhine River
Vosges Mountain
Influence of Black Forest
What is the grape of Klevener de Heiligenstein?
Savagnin Rose (Traminer Family)
What quality level is Z001, Z002…? Who produced it and why?
Vin de pay due to Chardonnay by Zind-Humbrecht.
What soil is not suitable for Riesling (including one Grand Cru example)
Terroir low in lime such as Froehn and Sporen
What is the rouge varietal of Cotes de Toul AOP?
Pinot Noir
What is the white varietal of Cotes de Toul AOP?
Auxerrois & Aubin
State Cremant d’Alsace AOP requirements
9% PA, 9 months in lees before degorgement, hand harvest and traditional method with secondary fermentation in the bottle.
What is Cotes de Tooul AOP vin gris?
85% Gamay max or 10% minimum Pinot Noir.
Both must be present in the blend.
What are the requirements for Alsace Grand Cru AOP?
Declare before March 1st on the year of harvest. Release June 1st. Must be from a specific vineyard and hand harvested.
What is the minimum must weight of the permitted varietal for Ventage Tardives & Selection de Grain Nobles?
VT:
Riesling & Muscat: 235 g/l
Gewurztraminer & Pinot Gris: 257 g/l
SGN:
Riesling & Muscat: 276 g/l
Gewurztraminer & Pinot Gris: 306 g/l
What are the requirements and differences between SGN & VT?
Requirements: No chaptalization allowed, vintage dated, must be single varietal, released no earlier than June 1st, 2 years from harvest and hand harvested.
Differences: SGN has to be botrytised grapes, NT not necessarily.
What is special about Alterberg de Bergheim Grand Cru?
Blend of 50-70% Riesling, 10-25% Gewurstraminer, 10-25% Pinot Gris & 2005 planting of Chasselas, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc. No Muscat allowed. Can be single varietal.
Klevner is _________ and Klevener is _______
Pinot Blanc
Savignin Rose
What is special about Kaefferkopt Grand Cru?
Blend of 40-60% Gewurstraminer, 10-40% Riesling, 0-30% Pinot Gris.
No Muscat allowed.
Can be single varietal label.
What is special about Zotzenberg Grand Cru?
Sylvaner can be added in blend. No Muscat allowed. Can be single varietal label.
Which varietal covers the most and the least acreage planting in Alscace?
Reisling & Muscat
Name 3 soil types found in Alsace
Marl, Gneiss, Limestone, Granite
When did Alsace stop using the term Tokay d’Alsace?
2007
Tokay d’Alsace is also known as…
Pinot Gris
Synonym for Chasselas is…
Gudetel
In Alsace, Rose wines are called
Clairet or Schillerwein
Varietal Permitted; Pinot Noir
What are the differences between Edelzwicker & Gentil?
Edelzwicker do not need to be vintage-dated, nor are they even legally obligated to contain more than one grape. Doe snot have to be Alsace AOP.
Gentil is a superior designation for blends, requiring a minimum of 50% noble grapes. Vinified separatenly and each must be Alsace AOP.
Name 5 Bas Rhin & 5 Haut Rhin regions.
Bas -Albé, Andlau, Avolsheim, Balbronn, Barr, Bergbieten, Bernardswiller, Bernardvillé, Bischoffsheim, Blienschwiller, Boersch, Bourgheim, Châtenois, Cleebourg, Dahlenheim, Dambach-la-Ville, Dangolsheim, Dieffenthal, Dorlisheim, Eichhoffen, Epfig, Ergersheim, Flexbourg, Furdenheim, Gertwiller, Gimbrett-Berstett, Goxwiller, Heiligenstein, Itterswiller, Kienheim, Kintzheim, Kirchheim, Kuttolsheim, Marlenheim, Mittelbergheim, Molsheim, Mutzig, Nothalten, Nordheim, Oberhoffen les Wissembourg, Obernai, Odratzheim, Orschwiller, Osthoffen, Ottrott, Reichsfeld, Riedseltz, Rosenwiller, Rosheim, Rott, Saint-Nabor, Saint-Pierre, Scharrachbergheim-Irmstett, Scherwiller, Soultz-les-Bains, Steinseltz, Stotzheim, Traenheim, Villé, Wangen, Westhoffen, Wissembourg, Wolxheim, Zellwiller
Haut - Ammerschwihr, Beblenheim, Bennwihr, Bergheim, Bergholtz, Bergholtz-Zell, Berrwiller, Buhl, Cernay, Colmar, Eguisheim, Gueberschwihr, Guebwiller, Hartmanswiller, Hattstatt, Herrlisheim, Houssen, Hunawihr, Husseren-les-Châteaux, Ingersheim, Jungholtz, Katzenthal, Kaysersberg, Kientzheim, Leimbach, Mittelwihr, Niedermorschwihr, Obermorschwihr, Orschwihr, Osenbach, Pfaffenheim, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, Rorschwihr, Rodern, Rouffach, Saint-Hippolyte, Sigolsheim, Soultz, Soultzmatt, Steinbach, Thann, Turckheim, Uffholtz, Vieux-Thann, Voegtlinshoffen, Walbach, Wattwiller, Westhalten, Wettolsheim, Wihr-au-Val, Wintzenheim, Wuenheim, Zellenberg, Zimmerbac
When did Alsace attained its AOC status?
- The last major wine region to receive that.
What is the driest city in France?
Collar in Haut-Rhin
What is gres de Vognes?
Pink Sandstone
Who si the leading producer of Gentil?
Hugel
What was the last subzone to be givent he Grand Cru status?
Kaefferkopf in 2007
Must Grand Cru wines be single varietal?
Yes, but some notable exceptions
What is the first & biggest Grand Cru in Alsace?
Schlossberg 80ha
What is the smallest Grand Cru in Alsace?
Kanzlerberg 3ha
Where is Moselle AOP and what style of wine does it produce?
Small Moselle AOP, upgraded from VDQS in 2011, produces red, white, and rose wines, principally from Auxerrois and Pinot Noir
What river passes through Moselle AOP?
Moselle
Which two producers do not label their wines under Grand Cru appelation because they are against politics of vineyard selection?
Trimbach has traditionally released their Riesling Clos-Ste-Hune as Alsace AOP without any mention of the large Rosacker Grand Cru on the label. The house of Hugel likewise chooses not to promote admissible wines as Alsace Grand Cru AOP.
Kieselguhr
Silica stone that is used for fining and filtration
Pinot on label means…
Pinot blended vinified white
Name the Producer:
Clos St Hune Cuvee St Catherine Clos Jebsal Clos St Urbain Jubilee Frederic Emile
Clos St Hune - Trimbach Cuvee St Catherine - Weinbach Clos Jebsal - Zind Humbrecht Clos St Urbain - Zind Humbrechy Jubilee - Hugel Frederic Emile - Trimbach
What is the mountain range to the west of Alsace?
Vosges
What are the two departments of Alsace?
Haut Rhin & Bas Rhin
Where are two thirds of the Grand Cru vineyards of Alsace located?
In the Haut-Rhin
What is the driest city in France?
Colmar (capital of Haut-Rhin)
Despite the cold, why do grapes in Alsace ripen more regularly than in Loire Valley?
Southern exposure; More sunshine hours in the summer due to geographical location.
What is the local soil type found throughout the region in Alsace?
Gres de Voges - pink sandstone
Also geological mosaic of granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, and loess exist.
What percent of AOP wine in Alsace is white?
90%
What are the four noble grapes of Alsace?
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Gewurztraminer
What three types of Muscat are used in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains
Muscat Rose a Petits Grains
Muscat Ottonel
Grand Cru vineyards are planted with what varieties?
Noble Varieties only (with some minor exceptions)
What is the alsace’s main appelation? What does it allow in it’s bottling?
Alsace AOP or Vin d’Alsace AOP
All noble varieties + Pinot Blanc, Chasselas, Sylvaner, Pinot Noir may be bottled varietally.
Is varietally labeled, what percentage of Alsace wines must be of that variety? What is the exception?
100%.
Pinot Blanc may be blended with Auxerrois (similar but not synonymous)
If Auxerrois is bottled as a single variety, what may the producer put on the bottle?
Pinot Blanc
If “Pinot” is on the bottle, what varieties can be used?
Pinot Noir
Pinot Gris
Pinot Blanc
Auxerrois
What style Riesling is mandated in Alsace?
Dry - as of 2008
What kind of Oak is used in Alsace?
RARELY new oak, large neutral casks for fermenting or aging.
Aromas of Alsace Muscat?
Floral, grapey notes, low acid, medium alcohol
Aromas of Alsace Gewurztraminer?
Perfumed sweet spice and tropical fruist, low acid, high alcohol.
Aromas & Characteristics of Alsace Riesling?
Dry, and more powerful than German styles. Higher alcohol than German. Pronounced acidity and minerality.
Aromas & Characteristics of Alsace Pinot Gris?
Full and richest expression. Smokey & spicy with good acidity.
Synonyms for Pinot Blanc and Chasselas in Alsace?
Pinot Blanc - Klevner
Chasselas - Gutedel
Heiligenstein, Bourgheim, Gertwiller, Goxwiller, and Obernai are the 5 communes allowed to bottle what variety under the Alsace AOP?
Savagnin Rose (aka Klevener de Heiligenstein). Less intense than Gewurztraminer, higher acidity.
What term is used if no variety is listed in Alsace?
Edelzwicker, or “noble mixture”. Does not need vintage date, and doesn’t necessarily have to be a blend.
What are the legalities of Edelzwicker?
Does not need to be Vintage dated.
Does not HAVE to be a blend.
What is the superior designation for blends in Alsace? What does it mean?
Gentil - 50% are noble grapes, any other alsace grape may be used, but base wines must be vinified separately.
What is a “Field Blend”?
An Alsace blend where different varieties are vinified together, and labeled under a vineyard name - the idea is to emphasize Alsace Terroir.
When was Alsace Grand Cru AOP first proposed?
1975
When was the first Alsace Grand Cru vineyard?
1983
What are Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines?
Single varietal wines from noble Alsatian grapes. (Some notable exceptions apply)
Two vineyards share an exception to the single-varietal-noble-grape rule in Alsace. What are they and what is the exception?
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf
Both may blend according to certain prescribed proportions.
One Cru of Alsace is given an exception to the “noble” varieties. Who, and what is it?
Zotenberg is a historical site for Sylvaner, and as such is permitted in Grand Cru AOP carietal wines from the vineyard.
Additional laws for Grand Cru AOP of Alsace?
Harvest must be made by hand.
Minimum sugar levels to be higher than Alsace AOP.
Yields restricted.
Minimum alcohol for Alsace Grand Cru varities?
Rielsing & Mustcat: 11%
Pinot Gris & Gewerztraminer: 12.5%
(Some vineyards mandate higher percentages)
What are the two Alsatian designations for late harvest wines?
Vendages Tardives
Selection de Grains Noble
Explain Selection de Grains Nobles style.
Generally picked in “tries” with a goal of suppressing varietal character, choosing only grapes each “try” that will express complexities of botrytis. Must be hand harvested.
Explain Vendages Tardives style.
May show botrytis character, however the emphasis is on the varietal characteristics first. Must be hand harvested.
Sweetness of Vendages Tardives versus Selection de Grains Noble?
VT - picked in a state of passerillage (dried), but vary in actual sugar in finished wine. Range from sweet to quite dry.
SGN - botrytised grapes, always sweet dessert-like wines.
What is the only red grape permitted in Alsace AOP?
Pinot Noir - for reds & roses.
Characteristics of Alsace Pinot Noir?
Typically light, however can achieve depth in warmer vintages.
What is the sparking wine of Alsace?
Cremant d’Alsace AOP
Pinot Blanc is the workhorse. Pinot Noir sometimes used.
Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Auxerrois are permitted.
This is the ONLY area in Alsace that Chardonnay is allowed.
What percentage of Alsace’s output is sparkling?
25%
Classis food pairings for Alsatian Riesling?
Creamy Sauces Charcuterie Raw Seafood Smoked Fish Goat Cheese Roast Pork Belly Thai/Vietnamese Apples Foie Gras
Where is Jura?
South of Alsace. Shares part of its eastern border with Switzerland. To the west is Saone-et-Loire, and the Cote d’Or.
Soil of Jura?
Jurassic Limestone
Marl
What is Jura’s standard appelation? What does it produce?
Cotes du Jura AOP. Red/White/Rose.
What are the three main red varieties of Jura?
Poulsard
Trousseau
Pinot Noir
What are the white varieties of Jura?
Chardonnay (Gamay Blanc - most whites are 100% Chardonnay)
Savagnin (may be added as a blending grape)
What do Jusa Roses consist of?
All 5 grapes of the region, usually made in Vin Gris style.
What are the local specialties of Jura?
Vin Jaune - 100% Savagnin
Vin de Paille - uses all regional grapes except Pinot Noir
What AOP specializes in Vin Jaune?
Chateau Chalon AOP (NOT a producer)
What is Vin Jaune
Yellow Wine
Savagnin grapes grown in limestone and marl, wine is deliverately oxidized. Can age for decades.
What is the name of the yeast that forms on top of Vin Jaune?
Voile (veil). The wine remains int he barrel for 6 years, where it is never topped off, leaving room for this yeast to develop. Yeast is similar to Flor.
What is the name of the traditional bottle that Chateau Chalon AOP wines are bottled in?
Clavelin (a squat 620ml bottle)
What is Vin de Paille?
“Straw Wine”. May be labeled under Arbois AOP, L’Etoile AOP, or Cotes du Jura AOP.
How is Vin de Paille made?
Ripe (not botrytised) grapes are left to dry for at least 6 weeks, creating a must weight of 320-420g/l, though retaining the acidity for balance. Assemblange is Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, or Trousseau. No Pinot Noir allowed. 3 years aging, 18 months of it in barrel.
What is the name for sparkling wine in Jura?
Cremant de Jura AOP, method traditionelle
What is the fortified wine of Jura?
Macvin du Jura AOP
Agec Marc is added to unfermented grape must - may be red, white, or rose (this is not technically considered fortified wine, since the juice is never fermented)
What is the French word for the addition of spirits before, during, or after fermentation?
Mutage.
What moderates the continental climate of Savoie?
Lake Bourget and the larger Lake Geneva (known as Lac Leman in France)
What is the name of Savoie’s large umbrella region?
Vin de Savoie AOP
What is the most common grape in Savoie? What are the others?
Whites dominate. Jacquere is #1.
Altesse
Roussanne (Bergeron)
Chardonnay
What are the red grapes of Savoie?
Gamay
Mondeuse
Pinot Noir
Red and Rose
What Cru is famous for its 100% Rousanne?
Chignin-Bergeron
What is the other smaller regional appellation of Savoie?
Rousette de Savoie
What is Rousette?
A synonym for Altesse grape. All wines in Rousette de Savoie are 100% varietal (chardonnay no longer allowed for blending)
What extension may be used in Rousette de Savoie?
4 Communes may add their names: Frangy Marestel Monterminod Monthoux
What northern Savoie region produces Mousseux wines in addition to dry and off dry still wines?
Seyssel AOP
What varietal is used for still Seyssel AOP wines?
100% Altesse
What varietals are used in Seyssel AOP sparking wines?
Molette and Chasselsas (minimum 10% Altesse)
What is Bugey Cerdon?
Sparkling wine Method Ancestral Roses from Seyssel AOP in Savoie
What are other sparkling wines produced as in Savoie?
Vin de Savoie Mousseux or Vin die Savoie Petillant
When was Bugey upgraded to AOP?
- Rousette de Buget AOP follows same rules as Rousette de Savoie.
What communes may add their names to Rousette de Buget AOP?
Montagnieu
Virieu le Grand
AOPs of Lourraine
Cotes de Toul AOP Moselle AOP (as is mosel river)
Gutadel is an Alsatian synonym for what?
Chasselas
What Jura appellation only produces white wine?
L’etoile
What commune is considered a sub-zone of Arbois?
Pupillin
What is the grape of Chignin-Bergeron
Rousanne
When was Vendages Tardives and Selections de Grains Nobles authorized?
1984
Where is Bugey? What is produced?
An AOC between Savoie and Burgundy.
Principally whites, but sparkling, rose and reds are frequent. Chardonnay Altesse Gamay Pinot Noir
Name 6 AOP in Jura region
Arbois Chateau Chalon L'etoille Cote du Jura AOP Cremant du Jura Macvin du Jura
Wine labeling system in Jura is similar to which region in France?
Alsace
What is the minimum white/rose/red blend of Cotes du Jura AOP?
80% Chardonnay & Savignin for white,
80% Pinot, Trousseau, & Poulsard for red and rose.
Name 3 sub regions of Bugey AOP?
Montagnieu
Cerdon
Manicle
What is Clavelin?
620ml bottle for Vin Jaune
Name one AOP that covers only Vin Jaune
Chateau Chalon
What are the requirements to produce Vin Jaune?
100% Savgnin, 60 months voile, max 3g/l must weight, 6 years aged until December 15th, and can be released on January 1st of the 7th year.
Name the region famous for its Ancestral Method production.
Cerdon - 2 months on lees, minimum pressure 3atm, no tirage, blend of Gamay & Poulsard.
What are requirements for Cremant du Jura AOP?
Blanc minimum 70% Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Trousseau, & Poulsard blend
Red minimum 50% Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Trousseau, & Poulsard blend
Hand harvest, minimum 3.5atm, 9% potential alcohol, 9 months on lees.
What does Macvin AOP cover?
Vin de Liqueur (VDL) (mutage with Marc of 52% abv + 14 months) in Oak and elevate of 12 months in oak.
Name 2 AOP that covers Vin Jaune & Vin de Paille?
Arbois
l’Etoile
Cotes du Jura
Give 2 names for Chardonnay in Jura
Gamay Blanc
Melon d’arbois
Another name for Savagnin and Pinot Noir
Savagnin: Nature, Traminer, Fromentin
Pinot Noir: Grois Noiren
What are the requirements for Chateau-Chalon appelation?
100% Savagnin, 6 years before being relize with 60 months under voile in the town allowed for appelation.
Barrel Size used in Jura?
228L (couldn’t find the name, but in Burgundy it is a Piece, so I guess it should be the same?)
What is the name of the wine “evaporation” from the barrels?
Part des Anges (Angel’s part or Angel’s share)
Besides France, where and what can have “Jura” on the bottle?
Isle of Jura, Scotch
What appellation of Jura have a sub-appellation?
Arbois Pupilin
Where does Etoile’s name come from?
Villages surrounded by 5 hills. Also, the name fo the rock fossils in Star shape.
Where does the name Jura come from?
JURA-SSICK
What is the grape for Roussette de Bugey?
100% Altesse
What are the differences between Vin Mousseux Bougey AOP and Vin Mousseux Bugey “Montagnieu” AOP?
Minimum 70% Chardonnay, Mollete, & Jacqueres. Traditional method. Bougey AOP is 9 months on lees, Montagnieu AOP is 12 months on lees prior to disgorgement.
What is Vin Tranquille?
Still Wine
Name the Savoie Cru that produce 100% Mondeuse?
Arbin
Name the Savoie Cru that produces 100% Roussanne?
Bergeron
What procedure is forbidden in the production of Vin de Paille?
Chaptalisation
Which 2 Cru of Savoie are 100% Mondeuse?
Arbin
St Jean de la Porte
Name the lake that is influencing Savoie wine region
Lac Leman & Lac du Bourget
Jura and Savoie have the same latitude with which famous French wine producing region?
Burgundy
What is Buget Cerdon?
Vin mousseux in method ancestral made in Gamay and Poulsard.