Chapters 17-21 Alsace, Loire Valley, Northern Rhône, Southern Rhône, Southern France Flashcards

1
Q

What is the climate of Alsace?

A

Cool to moderate continental climate

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2
Q

What impacts the climate of Alsace?

A

The Vosges Mountains protect the region from westerly rain bearing winds, resulting in sunny summers and dry autumns.

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3
Q

What is the type of soil in Alsace?

A

Very varied

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4
Q

What 4 grape varieties are grown in Alsace?

A

Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinto Gris
Muscat

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5
Q

In Alsace, what are termed the noble varieties?

A

Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinto Gris
Muscat

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6
Q

True or False?

The majority of Alsatian wines are made from blends

A

False

The vast majority of Alsatian wines are made from a single grape variety

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7
Q

In Alsace, blended wines made from juice that was not selected for varietal wines are called what?

A

Edelzwicker
or
Gentil

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8
Q

When does bottling occur most commonly in Alsace?

A

In the spring following the vintage

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9
Q

In Alsace, what are the 2 principal appellations?

A

Alsace

Alsace Grand Cru

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10
Q

In Alsace, what 2 classifications are used to indicate the sugar ripeness of grapes?

A
Vendages Tardives (VT)
Sélection de grains nobles (SGN)
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11
Q

In Alsace, when a grape variety appears on the label, what percentage of the grapes used must be from the named variety?

A

100%

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12
Q

In Alsace, what are the 4 rules for a Grand Cru appellation?

A

Wine must be produced from a single noble grape variety

Label must state the name of the vineyard, vintage and grape variety

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13
Q

What does Vendages Tardives mean?

A

Late Harvest

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14
Q

In Alsace, which classification is used for grapes with higher sugar ripeness: VT or SGN?

A

Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN)

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15
Q

In Alsace, what grape variety is the most widely planted?

A

Riesling

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16
Q

In Alsace, what are the characteristics os a good quality riesling?

A
Medium to full bodied
Dry with medium alcohol
High acid
Citrus and stone fruit aromas
Pronounced stone or steely character
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17
Q

Do German or Alsatian rieslings show more floral character in general?

A

German

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18
Q

Which Alsace grape variety?

Pungent aromatic spicy nose reminiscent of lychees, roses and sweet baking spices.
Some wines have a golden colour
Full bodied, rich oily texture
Low to medium acidity
High alcohol
A

Gewurztraminer

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19
Q

In Alsace, what are the aroma characteristics of Gewurztraminer?

A

Pungent aromatic spicy nose reminiscent of lychees, roses and sweet baking spices

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20
Q

Which Alsace grape variety?

Medium to full bodied
Dry with medium alcohol
High acid
Citrus and stone fruit aromas
Pronounced stone or steely character
A

Riesling

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21
Q

Which Alsace grape variety?

Rich, full bodied, oil texture
High in alcohol
Fresh and dried fruit flavours
Ripe, tropical fruit flavours
Honeyed or ginger character
A

Pinot Gris

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22
Q

In Alsace, what are the characteristics of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

A

Intensely aromatic
Flavours of orange blossom, rose and grape
Light to medium body
low to medium acidity

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23
Q

What are the 2 Muscat varieties grown in Alsace?

A

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Muscat Ottonel

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24
Q

Which of the 2 Muscat varieties grown in Alsace is more widely planted and why?

A

Muscat Ottonel can be relied on to crop more regularly

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains is prone to poor fruit set and rot.

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25
Q

Where are the best vineyards located in Alsace?

A

The steepest slopes with the east and south-east aspects

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26
Q

In Alsace, where are the grapes grown for the production of Crémant d’Alsace?

A

The plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine.

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27
Q

What are the flavour and aroma characteristics of an Alsatian Pinot Gris?

A
Dry or off dry
Oily texture
Ripe, tropical fruit flavours
Hint of ginger or honey
Golden in appearance
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28
Q

What is the only black grape permitted in Alsace?

A

Pinot Noir

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29
Q

What are the 4 sub regions of the Loire Valley

A

East to West

Central Vineyards
Touraine
Anjou-Saumur
Nantais

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30
Q

What 3 white grape varieties are grown in the Loire Valley?

A

Sauvignon Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Melon Blanc

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31
Q

What are the 2 most prestigious appellations in the Central Vineyards of the Loire Valley

A

Sancerre

Pouilly-Fumé

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32
Q

White Touraine is made from what grape variety?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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33
Q

Describe a high end Pouilly-Fumé

A
Sauvignon Blanc
Dry
High Acidity
Green Apple and wet stones
Subtle smokey notes
34
Q

In which Loire Valley region is the majority of Sauvignon Blanc grown?

A

Touraine

35
Q

Chenin Blanc is responsible for great white wines in which 2 Loire Valley regions?

A

Touraine

Anjou-Saumur

36
Q

Chenin Blanc can be made into what styles of wine?

A

Sweet
Dry
Still
Sparkling

37
Q

Vouvray wines are made from what grape variety?

A

Chenin Blanc

38
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Vouvray?

A

Still wines, Dry and Sweet

Dry Sparkling wines

39
Q

What 5 appellations in the Loire Valley are known for their production of Chenin Blanc wines?

A
Vouvray
Saumur
Anjou
Savennières
Coteaux du Layon
40
Q

Saumur wines are made from what grape variety?

What style of wine?

A

Chenin Blanc

Sparkling

41
Q

Anjou wines are made from what grape variety?

What style of wine?

A

Chenin Blanc

Dry still wine

42
Q

Savennières wines are made from what grape variety?

What style of wine?

A

Chenin Blanc

Full bodied, dry still wine

43
Q

Coteaux du Layon wines are made from what grape variety?

What style of wine?

A

Chenin Blanc

Sweet wines produced by noble rot

44
Q

What is another name for Melon Blanc?

A

Muscadet

45
Q

In which Loire Valley region is the majority of Melon Blanc grown?

A

Nantais

46
Q

Describe a Muscadet

A
Melon Blanc
Dry
Medium alcohol
High acidity
Light body
Subtle green fruit flavours
47
Q

What is the difference between a Muscadet and a Muscadet Sur Lie

A

Muscadet Sur Lie is bottled the spring following harvest having spent the winter on lees
Has a richer texture

48
Q

Name 2 appellations that produce Melon Blanc wines

A

Muscadet

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine

49
Q

What 2 red grape varieties are grown in the Loire Valley?

A

Cabernet Franc

Gamay

50
Q

Why is Cabernet Franc well suited to the Loire Valley?

A

Flowers and ripens early

Can be made in a range of styles dependant on climate, soil and winemaking techniques

51
Q

What 3 appellations in the Loire Valley are known for their production of Cabernet Franc wines?

A

Chinon
Bourgueil
Saumur-Champigny

52
Q

Where is Rosé produced in the Loire Valley?

A

Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
Sancerre

53
Q

In order to be labelled Rosé de Loire, what percentage of what grape variety(s) must be in the blend?

A

At least 30% of Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon

54
Q

What is the difference between Cabernet d’Anjou and Rosé d’Anjou?

A

Both Rosé
Cabernet d’Anjou is medium sweet, made from Cab Sauvignan and Cab Franc
Rosé d’Anjou is less sweet, made from Grolleau (local black grape)

55
Q

Where are the vineyards located in the Northern Rhône?

A

Steep slopes next to the river Rhône between Vienne and Valence

56
Q

What is the climate of the Northern Rhône?

A

Moderate and continental, similar to Beaujolais

57
Q

In the Northern Rhône, what is the ‘mistral’?

A

Cold north winds.

Vineyards can be protected from these by the narrow steep slopes

58
Q

What is the only black grape variety in the Northern Rhone?

A

Syrah

59
Q

What 3 white grape varieties are grown in the Northern Rhône?

A

Viogner
Marsanne
Roussanne

60
Q

Describe the characteristics of a Viogner

A
Full bodied, white wine
Low acidity
High alcohol
Perfumed aromas of blossom and apricots
Flavours of stone fruits
61
Q

Describe a blend made from Marsanne and Roussanne

A

Marsanne adds richness and weight
Roussanne adds acidity and perfumed fruit
Develop hazelnut aromas with age

62
Q

Name 6 appellations of the Northern Rhône

A
Côte Rôtie
Condrieu
Saint-Joseph
Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage
Cornas
63
Q

Describe a high end Côte Rôtie

A
Red wine
Syrah + up to 20% Viogner (normally low%)
Deeply coloured
Full body
Spicy
Aromatic floral freshness
64
Q

What kind of wine is a Condrieu?

A

White wine 100% Viogner

65
Q

Name 4 black grape varieties grown in the Southern Rhône

A

Grenache - spiced red fruit flavours
Syrah - colour & tannin
Mourvèdre - Black fruit flav, meaty aromas
Cinsault - red fruit flavours

66
Q

What is the main grape variety planted in the Southern Rhône?

A

Grenache

67
Q

What is the generic appellation for wines produced in the Rhône Valley?

A

Côtes du Rhône

68
Q

Name 5 appellations of the Southern Rhône

A
Châteauneuf-de-Pape
Tavel
Lirac
Gigondas
Vaqueyras
69
Q

Which 2 Southern Rhône crus are known for their Rosé?

A

Tavel

Lirac

70
Q

Which Southern Rhône cru only produces Rosé?

A

Tavel

71
Q

What makes Southern France ideal for grape growing?

A

Warm Mediterranean climate
Mild winters
Low rainfall

72
Q

What 2 winds impact the climate of Southern France?

A

Mistral

Tramontane

73
Q

What 7 black grape varieties are planted in Southern France?

A
Syrah 
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grenache
Carignan - Large yields
Cinsault - rosé blends, red fruit flavours
Mourvèdre - richness, colour, complexity
Merlot
74
Q

What are the 3 broad wine producing areas in Southern France?

A

Languedoc
Roussillon
Provence

75
Q

What is the best known, local white grape variety grown in Southern France?

A

Picpoul

76
Q

What are the 3 main white grape varieties gown in Southern France?

A

Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Viogner

77
Q

Describe a Côtes de Provence Rosé

A

Pale in colour
Light body
Dry
Delicate flavours of grapefruit and red fruit

78
Q

Name 5 appellations of Southern France

A
Languedoc
Côtes du Roussillon
Fitou
Corbières
Minervois
79
Q

What is the most important AOC vineyard in Provence?

A

Bandol

80
Q

Describe a Bandol red wine

A
Mourvèdre based
Full bodied
Dark colour
Powerful tannins
Bramble, meat, liquorice- spice flavours with age