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2019-06-03 WSET3 EXAM > C17 - Alsace /checked > Flashcards

C17 - Alsace /checked 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

Where are the best vineyards of Alsace located?

A

On the steepest slopes with east and south east aspects

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7
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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8
Q

Where are the lesser vineyards of Alsace?

A

On the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine

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9
Q

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

A

In Crémant d’Alsace

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10
Q

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

A

Very varied

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11
Q

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

A

It has experienced a dramatic geological history

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12
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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13
Q

Grape growing practices in Alsace, vary depending on…

A

Whether the vineyards are on slopes or on the plain

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14
Q

Describe Alsatian vineyard practices on slopes (3)

A
  1. They are trained low to benefit from radiated heat
  2. Rows are oriented to maximise the vines’ exposure to the sun
  3. Harvesting is done by hand
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15
Q

Describe Alsatian vineyard practices on the plains

A

Vines are TRAINED HIGH to minimise the risk of Spring frosts

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16
Q

What kind of viticulture is commonly practiced in Alsace?

A

Organic and Biodynamic

Due to low disease pressure in the sunny, dry conditions

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17
Q

Why are Organic and Biodynamic viticulture popular in Alsace?

A

Low disease pressure in the sunny, dry conditions

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18
Q

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

A

LARGE HARVEST SPREAD

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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19
Q

Between which months does the Alsatian harvest usually last?

A

September - November/December

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20
Q

What are the most important/noble varieties of Alsace? (4)

A
  1. Riesling
  2. Gewurztraminer
  3. Pinot Gris
  4. Muscat
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21
Q

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

A

The noble varieties only

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22
Q

The vast majority of Alsace wines are made from…

A

Single varieties

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23
Q

What are Alsatian blended varieties usually made from?

A

Juice that was not selected for varietal wines

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24
Q

What does it mean when an Alsatian wine is labelled Edelzwicker or Gentil?

How else may this be labelled?

A

A blended wine

A producer’s brand name

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25
Q

Are all Alsatian blends of a basic quality?

A

No, some are very high quality, even being made from grand cru vineyards, but these are very rare

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26
Q

Why is winemaking in Alsace so focused on retaining aroma/varietal character?

A

Most of the varieties are AROMATIC

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27
Q

How do traditional Alsatian winemakers typically ferment their wines?

A

In large old oak barrels, typically more than 100 years old

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28
Q

What is notable about the old oak barrels sometimes used in Alsace?

A

The inside is lines with a thick layer of Tartrates

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29
Q

What is the effect of the tartrate deposits lining the inside of Alsatian barrels?

A

It prevents the wood from having any influence on the wine

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30
Q

What kind of vessel is used for modern fermentation in Alsace? What is the benefit of this?

A

Stainless steel

They facilitate the control of temperature at fermentation

31
Q

Which winemaking practice is generally avoided in Alsace? Why?

A

MLF

MLF is normally not encouraged for aromatic varieties since this would mask the pure fruit flavours.

32
Q

When does bottling usually take place in Alsace? Why?

A

In the spring following the vintage

The wine is still young and fresh

33
Q

Can Alsace wines be bottle-aged?

A

Many of them can, yes

34
Q

What are the predominant sugar levels in Alsace wines?

A

MOSTLY DRY (except VT, SGN)

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

35
Q

What is the problem with the increasing levels of sweetness in Alsace?

A

There is no official system for indicating sweetness levels

36
Q

Describe the sweetness levels of VT wines in Alsace

A

DRY to MEDIUM-SWEET

37
Q

Describe sugar levels in SGN wines

A

ALWAYS SWEET

The influence of noble rot can vary from wine to wine

38
Q

What is the most widely planted of the noble varieties in Alsace?

A

Riesling

39
Q

Describe the flavour profile of the best Rieslings in Alsace

body, sweetness, alcohol, acidity, flavour

A
  • Medium to full-bodied
  • Dry
  • Medium alcohol
  • High acidity
  • Citrus and stone fruit
  • Pronounced steely/stony character
40
Q

Contrary to its traditional style, many Alsace Rieslings are now being made with…

A

Some residual sugar

41
Q

How do Alsace Rieslings typically differ from their German counterparts?

A

LESS FLORAL

They don’t typically show as much floral character

42
Q

What aromas are typical from an Alsace Gewurztraminer? (3)

A
  1. Lychees
  2. Roses
  3. Sweet baking spices
43
Q

Describe the appearance of the Gewurztraminer grape and its effect on the wine

A

The skin has a light pink tinge, giving a golden colour to some of the wines

44
Q

Give the profile of Gewurztraminer wines

body, alcohol, acidity

A
  • Full-bodied, oily texture
  • High alcohol (14% is not uncommon)
  • Low to medium acidity
45
Q

What is the profile of Alsace Pinot Gris?

body, alcohol, acidity, colour, flavour

A
  • 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
46
Q

Which Alsace Muscat grape provides the best quality?

A

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

47
Q

What is the flavour profile of Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains in Alsace?

body, acidity, aromas/flavours

A
  • Light to medium body
  • Low to medium acidity
  • Intensely aromatic. Orange blossom, Rose and Grape flavours
48
Q

What is the viticultural hazard associated with growing Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains (in Alsace)?

A

It is prone to POOR FRUIT SET and ROT

49
Q

What is used as a more reliable alternative to Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains in Alsace?

How does it compare with the former?

A

Muscat Ottonel

Less aromatic

50
Q

Give the most widely planted non-noble variety in Alsace

A

Pinot Blanc

51
Q

On what kind of land is Pinot Blanc planted in Alsace?

A

In the more FERTILE SOILS of the PLAINS

52
Q

What is Pinot Blanc most commonly used for in Alsace?

A

Sparkling wine

53
Q

Roughly describe still wines of Pinot Blanc in Alsace

body, aroma/flavour

A

Light, simple

Refreshing and non-aromatic

54
Q

Which Alsace grape is similar to Pinot Blanc but slightly spicier and more full-bodied?

A

Auxerrois

55
Q

What is sometimes blended with Pinot Blanc in Alsace?

A

Auxerrois

56
Q

Which Alsace grape variety used to be widely planted, but is making way for noble varieties?

A

Sylvaner

57
Q

Roughly describe Sylvaner wines from Alsace

aroma, body

A
  • Delicately perfumed
  • Some richness (but less than Gewurztraminer)
  • Best drunk young
58
Q

What is the only black variety permitted in Alsace?

A

PINOT NOIR

59
Q

Describe Alsace Pinot Noir

concentration, body

A
  • They lack the weight and concentration of Burgundy Pinot Noir
  • At their best, a light, fruity red/rosé
60
Q

How do winemakers in Alsace sometimes force more concentrated flavours in Pinot Noir-based wines?

A

With NEW OAK flavours

61
Q

What are the principal appellations of Alsace? (2)

A
  1. Alsace

2. Alsace Grand Cru

62
Q

What are the 2 Late Harvest/Noble Rot label terms in Alsace?

A
  1. Vendanges Tardives

2. Sélection de Grains Nobles

63
Q

Name 2 common terms that producers in Alsace use to differentiate between the qualities of their wines.

(these terms have no legal status)

A
  1. Réserve personelle
  2. Cuvée spéciale

(these terms have no legal status)

64
Q

Which appellation accounts for the majority of Alsace’s production?

A

Alsace AOC

65
Q

What is key about the single variety wines of Alsace?

A

They are VARIETALLY LABELLED

66
Q

What must apply if an ALSACE wine is varietally labelled?

A

100% of grapes must be from that variety

67
Q

Can villages be named on Alsace appellation wines?

A

Yes, some villages can for certain styles of wine, but this is rare

68
Q

How many vineyards in Alsace have their own Grand Cru appellation?

A

Over 50

69
Q

What are the main rules applying to Alsace grand cru wines?

A
  1. They must be produced from a single noble variety (with some exceptions)
  2. The label must state vineyard, vintage and grape variety (where appropriate)
70
Q

What is the controversy surrounding the grand cru appellation in Alsace?

A

TOO LARGE individually

Many producers believe the appellations to be too large and encompass land not worthy of the title

71
Q

How may a wine qualify for Vendanges Tardives?

A
  1. It must be made from a NOBLE VARIETY

2. It must have a specific MINIMUM SUGAR ripeness depending on variety

72
Q

How are the higher necessary sugar ripeness levels required in Vendanges Tardives achieved? (2)

A
  1. They will have undergone PASSERILLLAGE

2. There may be some influence of NOBLE ROT

73
Q

What are the principal rules applying to a wine being SGN? (2)

A
  1. It must be made from a NOBLE VARIETY

2. It must have a specific MINIMUM SUGAR ripeness depending on variety

74
Q

How are the higher necessary sugar ripeness levels required in SGN wines achieved? (1)

A

Usually by NOBLE ROT

2019-06-03 WSET3 EXAM (52 decks)

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