FR - Alsace, Jura, and Savoie Flashcards
Which millennium saw the first recorded winegrowing in Alsace?
The first millennium
By the year 1000, there were already 160 Alsatian villages growing grapevines.
What major 17th-century conflict devastated Alsace’s winegrowing and delayed its resurgence?
The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648)
Political instability following this war repressed viticultural growth for nearly 300 years.
In what year did Alsace finally achieve AOC status?
1962
Alsace was the last major French wine region to gain AOC recognition.
Which two départements comprise Alsace, and which one is generally associated with higher-quality wines?
Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin; Haut-Rhin is typically linked to higher-quality wines
Over two-thirds of Alsace’s grand cru vineyards lie in the Haut-Rhin.
Why do vines in Alsace tend to ripen more consistently than those in northern Burgundy?
Because of the region’s high number of summertime sunshine hours
The rain shadow effect of the Vosges Mountains creates dry, sunny conditions beneficial for ripening.
Name three common soil types found on Alsace’s steep mountain slopes.
Schist, granite, and volcanic sediment
These soils predominate the steeper vineyards at higher elevations.
Which local pink sandstone is unique to Alsace?
Grés de Vosges
This pink sandstone is one of the many geologic formations in the region.
Order these Alsace soils from lowest to highest vineyard elevation: volcanic sediment, richer alluvial clay, limestone.
(1) Richer alluvial clay, (2) Limestone, (3) Volcanic sediment
The richest alluvial soils lie in the plains, limestone on lower slopes, and volcanic/schist/granite on higher slopes.
True or False: About 90% of Alsace’s AOP wine is white.
True
White grapes are paramount in Alsace, representing approximately 90% of production.
Which four noble grapes are typically allowed in Alsace Grand Cru vineyards?
Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, and Pinot Gris
These are considered the region’s premier varieties.
Why did Alsatian wine styles begin to diverge from German styles after World War II?
Alsace producers fermented their wines fully dry, while German wines remained classically sweet
Post-1945, Alsatian wineries aimed for a more powerful, food-friendly style.
Name the only red grape authorized for Alsace AOP wines.
Pinot Noir
It is the sole red variety permitted under Alsace AOP regulations.
Which varietal label in Alsace can include Auxerrois grapes yet still read “Pinot Blanc”?
Pinot Blanc
Auxerrois may be included and labeled as Pinot Blanc by law.
What does the term “Pinot” on an Alsace label indicate about the blend?
It can contain any combination of Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, or Auxerrois
“Pinot” is a legally defined grouping of related varieties.
Compare ‘Edelzwicker’ and ‘Gentil’ labeling in Alsace blends.
Edelzwicker can be any blend of white grapes with no vintage requirement; Gentil requires at least 50% noble grapes and must be vinified separately before blending
Gentil is a higher-quality blended designation.
True or False: A wine labeled Edelzwicker in Alsace must contain more than one grape variety.
False
Despite meaning “noble mixture,” Edelzwicker can be a single variety or a blend.
Which five communes may bottle Klevener de Heiligenstein under Alsace AOP?
Heiligenstein, Bourgheim, Gertwiller, Goxwiller, and Obernai
Klevener (Savagnin Rose) remains a local specialty in these villages.
Name a producer famous for field-blend (complantation) wines in Alsace.
Marcel Deiss
He strongly advocates blends from mixed plantings to emphasize terroir.
Which grand cru was the first in Alsace, decreed in 1975?
Schlossberg
It was originally singled out before the creation of the broader Alsace Grand Cru AOP.
How many official Alsace Grand Cru vineyards exist today?
51
The last to be added was Kaefferkopf in 2007, bringing the total to 51.
Which two Alsace Grand Cru sites legally permit Sylvaner?
Zotzenberg and (only historically) certain older plantings in other sites, but primarily Zotzenberg
Zotzenberg is recognized for historical Sylvaner production.
What is special about Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf in terms of grand cru grape usage?
They allow blending of noble grapes in prescribed proportions
Both grands crus legally permit blends rather than a single variety.
Which historically resistant Alsace producer only recently labeled a wine as Grand Cru with its Riesling Geisberg?
Trimbach
Traditionally, they bottled Clos Ste Hune as Alsace AOP despite originating in Rosacker GC; Geisberg GC Riesling was first labeled in 2009.
List the minimum must weights for Alsace Vendanges Tardives in Riesling/Muscat and in Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer.
244 g/L for Riesling/Muscat, 270 g/L for Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer
VT wines must meet higher sugar thresholds and pass a tasting panel.
What is the main difference in style focus between Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles in Alsace?
VT emphasizes varietal purity, whereas SGN is usually influenced by botrytis and is sweeter
SGN wines are generally dessert-like; VT may vary in sweetness.
Which Alsace Grand Cru vineyard was added most recently, in 2007?
Kaefferkopf
It became the 51st grand cru after decades of recognition for its terroir.
Name the three Alsace Grand Crus that can legally produce Pinot Noir (approved in 2022 and 2024).
Hengst, Kirchberg de Barr, and Vorbourg
Pinot Noir Grand Cru is an emerging category in Alsace.
How long must Alsace Grand Cru wines (non-VT/SGN) age before release?
Until at least June 1 of the year following harvest
They also must be vintage-dated and meet stricter regulations.
Explain the ‘rain shadow’ effect in Alsace and its impact on viticulture.
The Vosges Mountains block rain-bearing weather from the west, creating a dry, sunny climate
This dryness helps grapes ripen fully with reduced disease pressure.
Which city is the driest in France, benefiting from the Vosges rain shadow?
Colmar
It is the capital of the Haut-Rhin and one of Europe’s driest cities.
Order these Alsace noble grapes from earliest to latest ripening: Muscat, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris.
(1) Muscat, (2) Gewurztraminer, (3) Pinot Gris, (4) Riesling
Riesling is the region’s latest-ripening noble grape.
True or False: Alsatian Riesling must be fully dry by law from the 2008 vintage onward.
True
Standard Riesling must not contain significant residual sweetness (excluding VT/SGN styles).
Which Alsace AOP sparkling wine can include Chardonnay in the blend?
Crémant d’Alsace AOP
It is the only appellation in Alsace that permits Chardonnay.
Name the minimum aging requirement on the lees for Crémant d’Alsace AOP.
Nine months on the lees
Followed by a total of 12 months from tirage to release.
In what style is Crémant d’Alsace Rosé made, and which grape is used?
Rosé from 100% Pinot Noir
It may be produced by maceration or the saignée method.
Which region in France includes the Côtes de Toul and Moselle AOPs?
Lorraine
Lorraine’s winegrowing area has declined but still has two AOPs.
In the Côtes de Toul AOP, what grapes form the pale ‘vin gris’ style of rosé?
Gamay and Pinot Noir
The rosés here are known for their delicate, pale hue.
What are the principal grapes for Moselle AOP whites and reds?
Auxerrois and Pinot Noir
Müller-Thurgau and Pinot Gris are also allowed for white labeling.
Which historical factor allowed Jura’s traditional styles to endure?
Geographic isolation by the Jura Mountains
The region’s relative detachment enabled local grapes and methods to persist.
Which two grapes are most common in Jura whites, and what local names might they have?
Chardonnay and Savagnin
Chardonnay is also called Gamay Blanc, and Savagnin is known as Naturé or Traminer.
Name three authorized red grapes for dry Jura reds.
Poulsard (Ploussard), Trousseau, Pinot Noir
These are the main red varieties in the Jura.
True or False: Côtes du Jura AOP can produce Vin Jaune from Savagnin.
True
Vin Jaune is not limited solely to Château Chalon AOP.
What style of wine is produced exclusively in Château Chalon AOP?
Vin Jaune
It must be 100% Savagnin, aged under a ‘voile’ of yeast without topping off.
Describe the key aging requirement for Vin Jaune in Château Chalon AOP.
Six years and three months in barrel without topping up
The wine develops under a film of yeast before bottling in the clavelin.
Which communes may append their name to Arbois AOP?
Pupillin
Arbois-Pupillin produces similar styles but highlights that specific terroir.
What is the unique bottle used for Vin Jaune?
A clavelin, a 62-cl squat bottle
It symbolizes the volume that remains after the aging process under flor.
Define Vin de Paille in the Jura and mention its minimum must weight.
A sweet ‘straw wine’ from dried grapes, with a must weight above 320 g/L
Grapes desiccate for at least six weeks, concentrating sugars and acidity.
Why does Vin de Paille maintain relatively high acidity despite being sweet?
The drying process concentrates both sugars and acidity
The resulting wine is rich but balanced.
True or False: Pinot Noir may be used in Jura Vin de Paille production.
False
Trousseau, Poulsard, Chardonnay, and Savagnin are allowed, but not Pinot Noir.
Name the sparkling AOP of the Jura.
Crémant du Jura AOP
It is made in the traditional method from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Trousseau, and others.
What is Macvin du Jura?
A vin de liqueur made by adding marc to unfermented must
This sweet, fortified style is produced in white, rosé, or red versions.
Compare Macvin du Jura with Vin de Paille in terms of production method.
Macvin uses marc to fortify fresh grape must, whereas Vin de Paille is a naturally concentrated sweet wine from dried grapes
Both result in sweet wines, but the processes differ fundamentally.
Which Jura AOP may ONLY produce Vin Jaune and not Vin de Paille?
Château Chalon AOP
It focuses exclusively on Savagnin-based Vin Jaune.
Identify the main grape in Savoie’s Chignin-Bergeron cru.
Roussanne
This subzone requires 100% Roussanne.
Name four key crus of Vin de Savoie AOP.
Chignin-Bergeron, Marignan, Ripaille, and Crépy
Each has specific varietal requirements, such as Roussanne or Chasselas.
What grape is known as Roussette in Savoie?
Altesse
Roussette de Savoie AOP wines are 100% Altesse.
Which four communes may append their names to Roussette de Savoie AOP?
Frangy, Marestel, Monterminod, and Monthoux
These indicate higher-quality zones for Altesse.
True or False: Seyssel AOP wines can only be sparkling.
False
Seyssel also produces dry and off-dry still wines from Altesse and Molette, though sparkling is traditional.
Which pink grape in Alsace is a variant of Traminer?
Gewurztraminer
‘Gewurz’ is an aromatic mutation of the Traminer grape family.
Describe Bugey-Cerdon’s sparkling production method and minimum residual sugar.
It is a méthode ancestrale rosé with at least 40 g/L residual sugar
The wine is bottled before fermentation completes, retaining natural sweetness and CO₂.
Name the two principal grapes in Bugey-Cerdon Rosé.
Gamay and Poulsard
The blend must be at least 70% combined Gamay and Poulsard.
Which style of wine was established by Crémant de Savoie AOP in 2015?
Traditional-method sparkling wines from the Savoie region
Commonly featuring Jacquère, Altesse, and Chardonnay.
How does the Jura’s ‘voile’ differ from the flor in Jerez Sherry production?
Vin Jaune is never fortified, while Sherry typically is
Both use film-forming yeast, but Jura wine remains unfortified.
True or False: Montagnieu is a subzone of Bugey known for red wines from Mondeuse and traditional-method sparkling.
True
Bugey Montagnieu produces a varietal Mondeuse red and sparkling wines requiring 12 months on lees.
Which two lakes moderate Savoie’s continental climate?
Lake Bourget and Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)
Their influence helps temper the otherwise harsh alpine conditions.
In which AOP might you find a pale vin gris rosé made from Gamay and Pinot Noir?
Côtes de Toul AOP
This style is characteristic of Lorraine’s rosé wines.
Name one historical reason for Alsace’s Germanic influence in its wine culture.
Alsace was part of the Germanic Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages
This has led to a cultural blend of French and German elements.
Place these milestone years in correct chronological order: 1945 (start of divergence from German styles), 1975 (first Alsace Grand Cru decree), 1962 (Alsace AOC).
(1) 1945, (2) 1962, (3) 1975
Post-WWII dryness, then AOC, then the first named grand cru.
What cultural blend is associated with the Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages?
A blend of French and German elements.
Place these milestone years in correct chronological order: 1945, 1975, 1962.
(1) 1945, (2) 1962, (3) 1975
Post-WWII dryness, then AOC, then the first named grand cru.
Which commune’s historical name for Traminer is ‘Klevener de Heiligenstein’?
Heiligenstein
Savagnin Rose is locally referred to as Klevener de Heiligenstein.
How do sweetness requirements for Sélection de Grains Nobles compare to Vendanges Tardives in Alsace?
SGN grapes must achieve higher must weights (276–306 g/L) than VT (244–270 g/L)
SGN is typically richer and fully botrytized.
Why might a producer label wines from a Grand Cru site simply as Alsace AOP?
They may disagree with the politics of vineyard delimitation or prefer to market under a simpler category
Examples include Trimbach’s Clos Ste Hune (Rosacker GC) for many years.
Explain why thermovinification may be used in Alsace Pinot Noir affected by botrytis.
Botrytis produces laccase, an enzyme that destroys color, and heating the must to around 70 °C inactivates it
This preserves color in the final wine.
True or False: As of 2021, Alsace AOP wines must disclose sweetness levels on the label (sec, demi-sec, etc.).
True
New regulations require specific wording based on residual sugar content.
What kind of still must be used for Marc d’Alsace Gewurztraminer?
A copper pot still (alambic)
Distillation must yield a spirit not exceeding 68.5% alcohol.
Which Jura AOP permits still wines in all three colors, plus Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille, and includes the sub-appellation Pupillin?
Arbois AOP
Pupillin may append its name to Arbois for its wines.
Identify the minimum aging time for Vin de Paille in the Jura.
Three years, with at least 18 months in neutral wood
The grapes are dried before fermentation, requiring extended maturation.
Arrange these Savoie AOPs north to south: Seyssel, Roussette de Savoie, Bugey.
(1) Seyssel, (2) Roussette de Savoie, (3) Bugey
Seyssel is near Lake Bourget’s north, Roussette extends throughout Savoie, Bugey lies further west/south.
What does ‘ouillé’ mean on a Jura wine label?
The barrel is ‘topped up’ to avoid oxidative aging
This contrasts the classic flor-aged style associated with Vin Jaune.
Which grape must be at least 80% in the Chasselas-focused Savoie crus of Marignan, Ripaille, Marin, and Crépy?
Chasselas
These four cru designations along Lake Geneva require a minimum of 80% Chasselas.
True or False: Marignan, Ripaille, and Crépy in Savoie require Roussanne-only wines.
False
Those crus mandate 80%+ Chasselas. Chignin-Bergeron is the Roussanne-focused cru.
Name the dry, still white AOP in Savoie that must be 100% Altesse and may list four specific commune designations.
Roussette de Savoie AOP
The communes are Frangy, Marestel, Monterminod, and Monthoux.
Why is Chardonnay sometimes called Gamay Blanc in the Jura?
It is a local synonym historically used for Chardonnay
‘Gamay Blanc’ is an old regional name, unrelated to red Gamay.
Compare Trousseau and Poulsard in terms of body and color intensity.
Trousseau generally produces more structured, deeper-colored reds, while Poulsard often has pale color and lighter body
Both are used in Jura reds but differ in phenolics.
Identify a producer who helped modernize Jura wine with minimal sulfur and diverse cuvées.
Jean-François Ganevat
He is known for natural methods, long lees aging, and many small-batch wines in the Côtes du Jura.
Which Burgundy-based domain founded Domaine du Pélican in Arbois, Jura?
Marquis d’Angerville
Guillaume d’Angerville established Domaine du Pélican in 2012.
Name two communes that can be appended to Roussette du Bugey AOP for 100% Altesse wines.
Montagnieu and Virieu-le-Grand
Each is recognized for higher-quality Altesse in the Bugey area.
Since 2011, how many individual Alsace Grand Cru AOPs exist, each with its own cahier des charges?
51
The original single Alsace Grand Cru AOP was separated into 51 distinct vineyard appellations.
Why might wines from Clos Ste Hune be labeled simply ‘Alsace AOP’ despite coming from Rosacker Grand Cru?
Producer preference to avoid Grand Cru designation
Trimbach traditionally chose not to label it with the Rosacker name.
