France - Alsace Flashcards
In what year, did Alsace achieve AOP status?
1962
Name the two départements, that Alsace is divided into
Haut-Rhin & Bas-Rhin
In which Alsace département, is over 2/3 of the Grand Crus located, and generally the more premier wines originate from?
Haut-Rhin
What is the name of the mountains, seperating Alsace from the rest of France?
Vosges Mountains
The Vosges Mountains, creates a rain shadow effect over Alsace, what are the results?
Alsace is one of France’s driest and sunniest climates
Name the driest city in France, and in where it is located
Colmar, capital of Haut-Rhin, Alsace
What climate has Alsace?
Semi-Continental
In what direction, is the better vineyards of Alsace facing?
South, Southeast og East
True or False: Due to it’s northerly position, Alsace grapes ripens later than those of Loire and northern Burgundy
False, due to the sheer number of sunlight hours in the summertime, Alsatian vines typically ripen with greater regularity
What’s the name of the local pink sandstone in Alsace?
Grés de Vosges
What is the general soil composition along the steeper mountain slopes in Alsace?
Schist, granite and volcanic sediment
How big a % of Alsace AOP wine is white?
90%
Name the 4 “noble” grapes of Alsace
Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris & Muscat
In Alsace, Pinot Blanc is also known as ….
Klevner
In Alsace, Chasselas is also known as ….
Gutedel
Even if bottled as a single variety, in Alsace Auxerrois may be accorded the title of “…………..” on the label
Pinot Blanc
True or False: all varietally labeled Alsace AOP wines must contain 100% of the printed grape
True, with the exception of “Pinot Blanc” & “Pinot”
True or False: in Alsace, wines labeled “Pinot” may contain any proportion of related varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Auxerrois
True
Which grape in Alsace, is the most planted?
Riesling
Since when, did Alsace AOP law mandate standard Riesling to be dry?
2008
The pink variant of Traminer, also known as Savagnin Rose, is known in Alsace as?
Klevener de Heiligenstein
Name the five communes that under the existing Alsace AOP may bottle varietally Klevener de Heiliggenstein
Heiligenstein itself, Bourgheim, Gertwiller, Goxwiller, and Obernai
Name the two types of blended wines in Alsace
Edelzwicker & Gentil
Describe Edelzwicker
An inexpensive blended wine. Alsace AOP wines labeled Edelzwicker do not need to be vintage-dated, nor are they even legally obligated to contain more than one grape. In practice, however, they are blends and do not need to indicate any percentages or grapes on the label.
Describe the unofficial Alsacian term Gentil
A superior designation for blends that contain a minimum of 50% noble grapes. Any other Alsace AOP grape may compose the remainder, and the base wines must be vinified separately.
Which vineyard, was the first, and only, Grand Cru of Alsace in 1975?
Schlossberg
Other than at the creation in 1975, in what years was Grand Cru vineyards added in Alsace
1983, 1992 & 2007
What Alsace Grand Cru vineyard, was the last to be added in 2007?
Kaefferkopf
Which Alsace Grand Cru vineyards, may be blends?
Altenberg de Bergheim & Kaefferkopf
Without the exceptions, what grapes are allowed for Alsance Grand Cru?
Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris & Muscat
What Muscat grapes, are grown in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains, Muscat Ottonel
In which Grand Cru vineyard, is Sylvaner allowed?
Zotzenberg
True or False: Hand harvesting is mandatory for Alsace Grand Cru
True
What is the minimum potential alcohol level, for Riesling and Muscat Grand Cru in Alsace?
11%
What is the minimum potential alcohol level, for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer Grand Cru in Alsace?
12.5%
In what year, was each Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace, granted its own AOP status?
2011
Which Alsace Grand Cru vineyard is the smallest?
Kanzlerberg at 3 ha
Which Alsace Grand Cru vineyard is the largest?
Schlossberg at 80 ha