France - Alsace Flashcards by Victoria Brown

Alsace geography

Northeastern France, on the border with Germany

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What Mountain range makes up the western border of Alsace

Vosges Mountains

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Alsace is subdivided into two regions. What are they

Bas - Rhin

Haut - Rhin

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Geography of Bas Rhin

Lies to the north, has a lower in average elevation and is less protected from the Vosges Mountains

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Geography of Haut Rhin

Lies to the south, has a higher average
elevation, and is more protected from the Vosges Mountains. Many of the best regarded vineyard sites are located in the Haut-Rhin

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Describe Alsace climate

Cool, continental climate with a dry, sunny growing season

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Describe Alsace physical features

Vosges Mountains
Rhine River

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What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace

Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewürztraminer
Muscat

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Red grape varies b of Alsace

Pinot Noir

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Is Grand Cru labeled on the bottle

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White Grape Varieties (there are 8) of Alsace

Auxerrois
Chardonnay
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
Pinot Gris
Pinot Blanc
Riesling
Silvaner

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Describe soil in Alsace and why it’s like that

Soils vary widely in their type and origin as a result of a long history of geological activity.

Chasselas ⚪

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Describe the types of soils of Germany (not Mosel)

Various types, including Marl, limestone, gneiss, schist, sandstone, granite, clay, and volcanic soils.

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What makes up the eastern border of Alsace

The Rhine River

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What does Vin rouge mean

Red wine in French

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What does Vin Gris mean

A delicate, pale version of rosè in French

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What does Vin Rosè mean

Rose in french

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How do the Vosges Mountains improve the region

-Creates a rain shadow that affects vineyards
- One of France’s driest and sunniest climates.
-Long, cool, and dry growing season
- Better vineyards planted on slopes facing east/southeast.

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How much wine is made from white wine varieties

Over 90% of Alsace wines are made from white grape varieties

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Is there oak in Alsace?

Large neutral casks, little to no use of new oak.

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What type of wine is made in Alsace

Sparkling, dry, off-dry, and sweet wines are made

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What is the best time to drink wines from Alsace

Between 1 to 4 years

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What type of bottles do they use in Alsace

Flutes

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What are some features of wines from Alsace

dry
lots of fragrance
light spiciness

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What type of casks are used

Foudres - large neutral casks

What type of wine labels are used

Crémant Edelzwicker Gentil Sèlection de Grains Noble

Is AC vin d'alsace and AC Alsace the same classification?

Yes

What color are most bottles

Green

What is the minimum alcohol content for Wines categorized as AC Alsace of AC Vin d'Alsace

8.5 abv and must be made from one of the permitted grape varieties or a blend of two or more

If a wine is from Alsace and is blended with two or more the AC allowed grapes what is it called

AC Edelwicker

If a wine is from Alsace and is a blend of two or more grape varieties but must contain a minimum of 50% Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and of Muscat. What is it called

AC Gentil

What type of wine is Crémant d’Alsace AOP:

Traditional method sparkling wine

As of 2007 how many vineyards fans under the classification of AC Alsace Grand Cru

Examples of important Alsace Grands Crus Vineyards

-Schlossberg -Brand -Goldert -Hengst

What grape is known to be a good common base for cremant d'Alsace

Pinot Blanc ⚪

Which grapes are allowed in Alsace Grand Cru AOP

Riesling Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer Muscat Pinot Noir (added in 2022)

Three (3) Exceptions to the Alsace Grand Cru AOP grape variety rule

1. One of the Grand Crus uses Sylvaner 2. Two of them allow blending 3. Two allow red wine

Is the grape or vineyard typically named on the bottle in Alsace

The grape is typically what is on the bottle. It some do state the origin on the label

What are the label requirements for a wine if labeled under a Grand cru Appellation (what has to be shown on the label)

Show the name of the vineyard and vintage on the label

In Alsace , if the grape name is on the label what percentage by law must that wine make up of that grape?

100%

Alsace AOP wines must be bottled in what?

The traditional "Vin du Rhin" / "Flûte d'Alsace" bottle

Describe Vendange Tardive (VT)

Late-harvest, rich, full-bodied, not always sweet

What is the most planted grape in Alsace

Riesling ⚪

What is the difference between German and Alsace Riesling

Alsace Riesling is traditionally: - dryer - fruitier on the nose - marked with minerality - oily texture - fuller body Than German Riesling

What food pairs well with Alsace Riesling

- Hors-d'oeuvres - oysters - shellfish - fish dishes - veal - pork - roasted chicken

Describe Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN)

Botrytis-affected grapes, made in small quantities, only in top vintages.

Other foods that pair well with Alsace wines (think reds)

Many rich, smoky cured meats such as bacon and sausages.

Producers/Proprietary Brand in Alsace

Trimbach Domaine Weinbach Marcel Deiss Hugel et Fils Pierre Sparr Zind-Humbrecht

History and Lore of Alsace

This region has a history of French and German political rule because it was a strategic area that the two countries fought over for many years. Alsace has a distinctive culture, evident in its architecture, language, and food.

This wine from Alsace has citrus / spicy bouquet, medium to full bodied, slightly sharp but yet smooth and dry. Also ages very well

Pinot Gris 🔴 (red grape but white wine)

What does Pinot Gris from Alsace pair well with

- veal - pork - poultry - light spicy dishes

What is the climate of Alsace

Cold Continential

Why is Alsace unique regarding the bottling regarding French law

The only AOC in France that is allowed to designate its wine by varietal

True or False Alsace is the only region in France that is legal to grow Riesling

True

First grand Cru of Alsace

Schlossberg

What AC in Alsace allows Chardonnay

Cremant d'Alsace

What is unique about Pinot Noir from Alsace

It's the only Alsace wine to be permitted to be sold in Bourgonge style bottles

Do they use oak in Alsace

Rarely, if used it is old oak cask ( has no effect on the flavor of the wine)

What are the soil types of Alsace

Varies widely: - granite - limestone - schist - clay - gravel - chalk - loess - pink sandstone (grés de Vosges)

What grape was added to the Alsace Grand Cru AOP

Pinot Noir in 2022