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WSET 3 - TechnoWine > C17 - Alsace > Flashcards

C17 - Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

What is the climate of Alsace?

A

Cool to moderate continental

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2
Q

What is a potential climatic threat to the region of Alsace?

A

Prevailing westerly rain-bearing winds

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3
Q

How is Alsace protected from the westerly winds?

A

By the Vosges Mountains

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4
Q

What is the rainfall like in Alsace? Explain this

A

Summers and autumns are warm and dry
There is very little cloud cover
The region is protected by the Vosges Mountains

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5
Q

What is the result on wines of the dry climate in Alsace?

A

Grapes can achieve high levels of sugar ripeness

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6
Q

What is a relatively unique climatic phenomenon in Alsace?

A

Occasional drought

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7
Q

Where are the best vineyards of Alsace located?

A

On the steepest slopes with east and south east aspects

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8
Q

Describe the northerly part of the Alsace vineyard area

A

It has the coolest climate and the least protection from the Vosges

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9
Q

Where are the lesser vineyards of Alsace?

A

On the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine

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10
Q

What is the main use of grapes from the lesser vineyards of Alsace?

A

In Crémant d’Alsace

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11
Q

What is the soil like in the vineyards of the foothills of Alsace?

A

Very varied

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12
Q

Why is there so much soil variation in parts of Alsace?

A

It has experienced a dramatic geological history

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13
Q

What is the key factor in why there is so much variety in style in Alsace?

A

The geological variation

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14
Q

Grape growing practices in Alsace, vary depending on…

A

Whether the vineyards are on slopes or on the plain

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15
Q

Describe Alsatian vineyard practices on slopes

A

They are trained low to benefit from radiated heat
Rows are oriented to maximise the vines’ exposure to the sun
Harvesting is done by hand

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16
Q

Describe Alsatian vineyard practices on the plains

A

Vines are trained high to minimise the risk of Spring frosts

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17
Q

What kind of viticulture is commonly practiced in Alsace?

A

Organic and Biodynamic

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18
Q

Why are Organic and Biodynamic viticulture popular in Alsace?

A

Low disease pressure in the sunny, dry conditions

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19
Q

What is the key logistical challenge faced by growers in Alsace?

A

Because they have a number of small plots of vines, each planted with different varieties, they will ripen at different times, therefore the vintage may be spread over a long period

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20
Q

Between which months does the Alsatian harvest usually last?

A

September - November/December

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21
Q

What are the most important/noble varieties of Alsace?

A

Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat

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22
Q

Which varieties may be used for VT, grand cru and SGN wines in Alsace?

A

The noble varieties only

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23
Q

The vast majority of Alsace wines are made from…

A

Single varieties

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24
Q

What are Alsatian blended varieties usually made from?

A

Juice that was not selected for varietal wines

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25
What does it mean when an Alsatian wine is labelled Edelzwicker or Gentil? How else may this be labelled?
A blended wine | A producer's brand name
26
Are all Alsatian blends of a basic quality?
No, some are very high quality, even being made from grand cru vineyards, but these are very rare
27
Why is winemaking in Alsace so focused on retaining aroma/varietal character?
Most of the varieties are aromatic
28
How do traditional Alsatian winemakers typically ferment their wines?
In large old oak barrels, typically more than 100 years old
29
What is notable about the old oak barrels sometimes used in Alsace?
The inside is lines with a thick layer of Tartrates
30
What is the effect of the tartrate deposits lining the inside of Alsatian barrels?
It prevents the wood from having any influence on the wine
31
What kind of vessel is used for modern fermentation in Alsace? What is the benefit of this?
Stainless steel | They facilitate the control of temperature at fermentation
32
Which winemaking practice is generally avoided in Alsace? Why?
MLF | It would mask the pure fruit flavours
33
When does bottling usually take place in Alsace? Why?
In the spring following the vintage | The wine is still young and fresh
34
Can Alsace wines be bottle-aged?
Many of them can, yes
35
What are the predominant sugar levels in Alsace wines?
Most are dry (with the exception of VT and SGN wines), but recently more and more - particularly grand cru wines - are being made with noticeable levels of sweetness
36
What is the problem with the increasing levels of sweetness in Alsace?
There is no official system for indicating sweetness levels
37
Describe the sweetness levels of VT wines in Alsace
They can range from dry to medium-sweet
38
Describe sugar levels in SGN wines
They are always sweet, though the influence of noble rot can vary from wine to wine
39
What is the most widely planted of the noble varieties in Alsace?
Riesling
40
Describe the flavour profile of the best Rieslings in Alsace
``` Medium to full-bodied Dry Medium alcohol High acidity Citrus and stone fruit Pronounced steely/stony character ```
41
Contrary to its traditional style, many Alsace Rieslings are now being made with...
Some residual sugar
42
How do Alsace Rieslings typically differ from their German counterparts?
They don't typically shoe as much floral character
43
What aromas are typical from an Alsace Gewurztraminer?
Lychees Roses Sweet baking spices
44
Describe the appearance of the Gewurztraminer grape and its effect on the wine
The skin has a light pink tinge, giving a golden colour to some of the wines
45
Give the profile of Gewurztraminer wines
Full-bodied Oily texture High alcohol (14% is not uncommon) Low to medium acidity
46
What is the profile of Alsace Pinot Gris?
Full-bodied and rich High alcohol More acidity than Gewurztraminer Similar colour to Gewurztraminer but less aromatic Pronounced flavour of fresh and dried fruits and a honeyed character
47
Which Muscat grape provides the best quality of the three in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
48
What is the flavour profile of MBAPG in Alsace?
Light to medium body Low to medium acidity Intensely aromatic Orange blossom, Rose and Grape flavours
49
What is the viticultural hazard associated with growing MBAPG in Alsace?
It is prone to poor fruit set and rot
50
What is used as a more reliable alternative to MBAPG in Alsace? How does it compare with the former?
Muscat | Less aromatic
51
Give the most widely planted non-noble variety in Alsace
Pinot Blanc
52
On what kind of land is Pinot Blanc planted in Alsace?
In the more fertile soils of the plains
53
What is Pinot Blanc most commonly used for in Alsace?
Sparkling wine
54
Roughly describe still wines of Pinot Blanc in Alsace
Light, simple, refreshing and non-aromatic
55
Which Alsace grape is similar to Pinot Blanc but slightly spicier and more full-bodied?
Auxerrois
56
What is sometimes blended with Pinot Blanc in Alsace?
Auxerrois
57
Which Alsace grape variety used to be widely planted, but is making way for noble varieties?
Sylvaner
58
Roughly describe Sylvaner wines from Alsace
Delicately perfumed Some richness (but less than Gewurztraminer) Best drunk young
59
What is the only black variety permitted in Alsace?
Pinot Noir
60
Describe Alsace Pinot Noir
They lack the weight and concentration of Burgundy Pinot Noir At their best, a light, fruity red/rosé
61
How do winemakers in Alsace sometimes force more concentrated flavours in Pinot Noir-based wines?
With new oak flavours
62
How many appellations are there in Alsace?
2
63
What are the principal appellations of Alsace?
Alsace | Alsace Grand Cru
64
What are the two other classifications in Alsace?
Vendanges Tardives | Sélection de Grains Nobles
65
What dictates the classifications VT and SGN?
Sugar ripeness
66
Which Alsace appellation can apply to use VT/SGN?
Both
67
How do producers in Alsace differentiate between the qualities of their wines?
With terms like Réserve personelle and Cuvée spéciale (these terms have no legal status)
68
Which appellation accounts for the majority of Alsace's production?
Alsace
69
What is the status of single variety wines within the Alsace appellation?
Most Alsace wines are single variety
70
What is key about the single variety wines of Alsace?
They are varietally labelled
71
What must apply if a wine is varietally labelled?
100% of grapes must be from that variety
72
Can villages be named on Alsace appellation wines?
Yes, some villages can for certain styles of wine, but this is rare
73
How many vineyards in Alsace have their own Grand Cru appellation?
Over fifty
74
What are the main rules applying to Alsace grand cru wines?
They must be produced from a single noble variety (with some exceptions) The label must state vineyard, vintage and grape variety (where appropriate)
75
What is the controversy surrounding the grand cru appellation in Alsace?
Many producers believe the appellations to be too large and encompass land not worthy of the title
76
What is the meaning of Vendanges Tardives?
Late harvest
77
How may a wine qualify for Vendanges Tardives?
It must be made from a noble variety | It must have a specific minimum sugar ripeness depending on variety
78
How are the best VT wines of Alsace vinified?
They will have undergone passerillage | There may be some influence of noble rot
79
What are the principal rules applying to a wine being SGN?
Must be from a noble variety | Must have a minimum sugar ripeness depending on variety (higher than those of VT wines)
80
How are the higher necessary sugar ripeness levels required in SGN wines achieved?
Usually by noble rot
81
How often are SGN wines produced in Alsace? How much of it?
Not every year | In small quantities

WSET 3 - TechnoWine (45 decks)

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