France - Alsace Flashcards
Explain the climate of Alsace
The Vosge mountains create a rain shadow effect causing Alsace to have a Continental Climate and to be one of the driest wine producing areas in France.
Name the two best know vineyard towns of Alsace
Ribeauville and Riquewihr
What town is known as the business center of Alsace
Colmar
In what year was the AOC system introduced in Alsace
1965
What is the local soil type found throughout the region in Alsace?
Gres de Voges-pink sandstone
also geological mosaic of granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk and loess exist.
Explain the style of Alsace wines
The wines are made by very natural methods and are not so highly fined or filtered as their German counterparts. They always have a mineral character and frequently display an oily texture on the palate. The wines are exceedingly fragrant, minerally with a complexity of flavours, and at least a light spiciness.
True of false:
Chaptalization is permitted in al wines but Vendagne Tardive (VT) and Selection de Grains Noble (SGN)
True
AOC Alsace
Must have a minimum alcohol content of 8.5 and must be made from one of the permitted grape varieties or a blend of two or more of these.
What are the permitted grape varieties for Alsace AOC
Riesling Gewurztraminer Pinot Gris Muscat Sylvaner Pinot Blanc (Clevner or Klevner) Pinot Noir Chasselas (Gutedel) Auxerrois
What are the two départements of the région of Alsace?
Bas-Rhin in the north (main city Strasbourg)
Haut-Rhin in the south (main town Colmar)
Pinot Blanc may be a blend of?
Pinot Blanc with Auxerrois, Pinot Gris and/or Pinot NOir.
Pure Pinot Blanc is usually sold under the label?
Clevner or Klevner
Gentil is a blend of?
Two or more grape varieties and contains a minimum of 50% Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and/or Muscat (noble varieties) but is not an AOC. The base wines must be vinified separately
What are the noble varieties?
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat (Muscat Blanc a petits Grains, Muscat Rose a petits Grains or Muscat Ottonel)
What does the term Edelzwicker mean
Noble mixture is a blend of two or more of the noble varieties. Usually an inexpensive blend which does not need to be vintage dated.
When were the Alsace Grand Crus AOP’s designated
1975 - Single vineyard Schlossberg
1983 - Another 24 Grand Crus followed
1992 - An additional 25 Grand Crus are established
2007 - The 51st Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf” is added to the system
How many Grand Cru AOP’s are there in the Alsace
51
True or False:
Hand harvesting is mandatory for all Grand Cru wines
True
What is the minimum alcohol content for Riesling and Muscat Grand Cru wines
11%
What is the minimum alcohol content for Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris Grand Cru wines
12,5%
What grape variety has been excepted for the Grand Cru of Zotzenberg?
Sylvaner. A blend of Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Sylvaner is also permitted.
What blend is permitted for the Grand Cru of Altenberg de Bergheim
The noble varieties may be blended with Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir
AC Cremant
The appellation for sparkling wine, which has a secondary fermentation in the bottle (champagne methode).
The permitted varietals are: Auxerrois Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Riesling Chardonnay
Pinot Blanc is a good and common base for Cremant de Alsace, Riesling gives the strongest flavour, Pinot Noir is used for the Rose style