France - Alsace Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the four noble grapes of Alsace?

A

Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris

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2
Q

In addition to the noble grapes, which others may be released in varietally labeled bottlings in Alsace AOP?

A

Pinot Blanc (Klevner), Chasselas (Gutedel), Sylvaner, and Pinot Noir

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3
Q

What is the only red grape allowed in Alsace AOP?

A

Pinot Noir

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4
Q

Who bottles an Alsace Pinot Noir?

A

Domaine Albert Mann, Domaine Ostertag, Domaine Valentin Zusslin

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5
Q

What are three grand crus where Pinot Noir plantings may be found?

A

Vorbourg (in Rouffach), Hengst (in Wintzenheil) and Kirchberg (in Barr)

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6
Q

What grape may also appear in varietally labeled Pinot Blanc?

A

Auxerrois

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7
Q

If a varietally labeled bottle says “Pinot,” what grapes may it contain?

A

Pinots Noir, Blanc, or Gris; Auxerrois

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8
Q

Which three types of Muscat may be planted in Alsace?

A

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains or Muscat Ottonel

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9
Q

Which grapes may appear in Cremant d’Alsace blanc?

A

Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, and/or Chardonnay

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10
Q

Which grapes may appear in Cremant d’Alsace rose?

A

100% Pinot Noir

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11
Q

What is the term for a (often inexpensive) blend?

A

Edelzwicker

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12
Q

What is the term for a blend with at least 50% noble grapes?

A

Gentil

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13
Q

Name a prominent producer who is an advocate for field blends? Name a grand cru site that he works with.

A

Marcel Deiss. Mambourg, Altenberg de Bergheim (blends allowed), or Schoenenbourg. Mambourg and Schoenenbourg do not officially allow blended wines.

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14
Q

What was the first Alsace grand cru, and when was it designated?

A

Schlossberg; 1975

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15
Q

What was the 51st (and last) granc cru of Alsace, and when was it designated?

A

Kaefferkopf, 2007

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16
Q

Which grand cru sites allow blends?

A

Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf

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17
Q

Which grand cru allows varietal Sylvaner bottlings?

A

Zotzenberg

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18
Q

Kaefferkopf Grand cru blends must be based on which grape?

A

60-80% Gewurztraminer (10-40% Riesling, max. 30% Pinot Gris, max. 10% Muscat)

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19
Q

Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim AOP blends must be based on which grape?

A

50-70% Riesling (10-25% Pinot Gris, 10-25% Gewurztraminer, max. 10% combined Chasselas, Muscat à Petits Grains, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc)

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20
Q

What is the largest grand cru in Alsace, and what prominent producers bottle it?

A

Schlossberg - 80 ha; Domaine Weinbach, Bott Geyl, Albert Mann, Paul Blanck, and others

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21
Q

What is the smallest grand cru in Alsace, and who bottles it?

A

Kanzlerberg - 3 ha; Gustave Lorentz, Sylvie Spielmann

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22
Q

What are two designations for late harvest wine in Alsace?

A

Vendanges Tardives and Sélections de Grains Nobles

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23
Q

Characterize Sélection de Grains Nobles wines

A

Sélection de Grains Nobles are generally picked in tries, and suppress varietal character in return for the complexities of botrytis.

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24
Q

Characterize Vendanges Tardives wines

A

Vendanges Tardives may show botrytis character but emphasizes varietal purity. Quality VT wines usually originate from vines in a state of passerillage

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25
Q

VT minimum must weights -

A

244 grams per liter for Muscat and Riesling, and 270 grams per liter for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer.

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26
Q

SGN minimum must weights -

A

276 grams per liter for Muscat and Riesling and 306 grams per liter for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. At 306 grams per liter, these wines are amongst the highest minimum must weights in France

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27
Q

What is the only Alsace appellation to allow Chardonnay?

A

Cremant d’Alsace

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28
Q

What are the two AOPs of neighboring Lorraine?

A

Côtes de Toul AOP and Moselle AOP

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29
Q

What is the climate of Alsace?

A

continental

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30
Q

What grand cru contains Clos St. Hune?

A

Rosacker

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31
Q

In earlier years, what were allowed synonyms for Pinot Gris?

A

Tokay d’Alsace or Tokay Pinot Gris

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32
Q

What is the main soil type in Rosacker grand cru?

A

Dolomitic Limestone

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33
Q

As of what year must Alsace Riesling be dry in style?

A

2008

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34
Q

Alsace is divided into which two départements?

A

Haut-Rhin and Bas- Rhin

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35
Q

When did Alsace first achieve AOC status?

A

1962—the last major French winemaking region to do so

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36
Q

Name the major cities in Alsace (N-S)

A

Strasbourg, Ribeauville, Colmar

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37
Q

Which department contains 2/3 of the grand cru vineyards?

A

Haut-Rhin

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38
Q

What is the prominent mountain range affecting the climate in Alsace?

A

Vosges mountains

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39
Q

What is Trimbach’s high end Gewurztraminer bottling?

A

Cuvée des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre

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40
Q

What is Trimbach’s high end Riesling from the Geisberg and Osterberg grand crus?

A

Cuvée Frédéric Emile

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41
Q

What are some classic dishes of Alsace cuisine?

A

Choucroute garnie (sauerkraut with pork and sausages), Baeckeoffe, Flammekuechle (bacon-onion tart), foie gras, coq au Riesling, Munster-Géromé and Tomme d’Alsace cheeses, spaetzle

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42
Q

What fruits are commonly made into eaux de vie?

A

Mirabelle, Poire, Kirsch, Framboise

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43
Q

Who are generally the top quality eau de vie makers? (three m’s)

A

Mette, Miclo and Massenez

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44
Q

What are some recent CHALLENGING vintages for Alsace?

A

2013, 2014

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45
Q

What are some recent GREAT vintages for Alsace?

A

2000, 2007, 2008, 2009 (also 1988, 1989, 1990 for older vintages)

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46
Q

Who produces “Schlossberg Cuvée Ste. Catherine,” and what vineyard is it from?

A

Domaine Weinbach

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47
Q

What is the southernmost of Alsace’s Grand Crus?

A

Rangen (has dark volcanic soils and southern exposure)

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48
Q

Name two important makers of Rangen grand cru.

A

Zind-Humbrecht (Pinot Gris Clos Saint Urbain Rangen de Thann, dry or SGN ), but also Riesling and a little Gewürztraminer; Domaine Schoffit’s Clos Saint-Theobald Riesling and Pinot Gris

49
Q

Name 3 famous grand crus for Alsace Muscat.

A

Goldert (Zind-Humbrecht), Spiegel and Kirchberg du Bar

50
Q

What is the CIVA?

A

Le Comité Interprofessionel des Vins d’Alsace, or Alsace vintners’ association

51
Q

What is Klevener de Heiligenstein?

A

Made from Savignin Rose (not to be confused with Klevner/Pinot Blanc), from the area north of Barr (100 ha among Heiligenstein and the neighboring villages of Bourgheim, Gertwiller, Goxwiller, and Obernai). Produced by Charles Boch and others.

52
Q

What percentage of a varietally labeled wine in Alsace AOP must be made up of that variety?

A

100%

53
Q

What major geologic features define Alsace’s eastern and western borders?

A

Rhine river (east) and Vosges mountains (west)

54
Q

Who bottles Zotzenberg grand cru Sylvaner?

A

Domaines Boeckel, Albert Seltz

55
Q

Does an Edelzwicker need to label the vintage?

A

No.

56
Q

Outside of Alsace, where else is Chasselas (importantly) planted?

A

Savoie, Switzerland

57
Q

Does Clos St. Hune see any oak in its vinification?

A

No. all stainless, and extended bottle aging before release.

58
Q

From what year onward must Alsace AOP Riesling be dry?

A

2008

59
Q

What major development occurred in Alsace regulations in 2011?

A

2011- the actual number of Alsace Grand Crus increased from 1 to 51 as each received their own AOP

60
Q

What is one major flaw of the Grand cru system in Alsace?

A

No intermediary (premier cru) level - efforts have been underway for several years to change this.

61
Q

What Michelin 3-star restaurant is in Alsace?

A

Auberge de L’Ill (N of Colmar in Haut-Rhin)

62
Q

How much of Alsace’s output is from co-ops?

A

41.5% (significant!), from 15 co-ops

63
Q

What are the important/quality co-ops?

A

Caves de Turckheim, Beblenheim, Ribeauvillé

64
Q

What is the IGP designation for Alsace?

A

There is none! Everyone must produce under the AOP regulations.

65
Q

What are the general minimum ABV requirements for ALsace grand cru?

A

Riesling and Muscat - 11%, Pinot Gris and Gewurz 12.5%

66
Q

What are the two AOPs of Lorraine?

A

Côtes de Toul AOP and Moselle AOP

67
Q

What styles/grapes are allowed in Côtes de Toul AOP?

A

Blanc(Auxerrois and Aubin); Vin Gris (Max. 85% Gamay, min. 10% Pinot Noir - both must be present; Accessory Varieties: Max. 15% combined Pinot Meunier, Aubin, and Auxerrois); Rouge (100% Pinot Noir)

68
Q

What is the local name for the pink sandstone found in Alsace?

A

grés de Vosges

69
Q

Alsace AOP “Pinot Blanc,” even though varietally labeled, may contain which other grape?

A

Auxerrois

70
Q

Most planted grape in Alsace? Highest volume of production?

A

Riesling is most planted. Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois is largest production by volume.

71
Q

What is the mandated bottle shape for Alsace AOP?

A

Alsace AOP wines must be bottled in the traditional “Vin du Rhin” / “Flûte d’Alsace” bottle

72
Q

What named grand cru wine did Trimbach release in 2009 for the first time?

A

Geisberg Grand Cru

73
Q

Moselle AOP

A

Lorraine appellation for whites, rosé, rouge:
Blanc: Auxerrois min. 50%, then Müller-Thurgau, and Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and max. 10% Gewurztraminer
Rosé: Min. 70% Pinot Noir, then Gamay
Rouge: 100% Gamay
Varietally labelled (100%) Muller Thurgau and Pinot Gris also allowed.

74
Q

3 important biodynamic producers of Alsace

A

Zusslin, Zind-Humbrecht, Domaine Ostertag, Marcel Deiss

75
Q

Clos Ste. Hune

A

Clos Ste. Hune - in Rosacker, Trimbach, Riesling, unoaked with extended bottle aging

76
Q

Where is Clos St. Urbain? Who makes it?

A

in Rangen GC, Zind-Humbrecht, Riesling/Pinot Gris/small amount of Gewürztraminer

77
Q

Clos des Capucins

A

at the foot of Schlossberg, Domaine Weinbach - Riesling “Cuvée Théo,” Pinot Gris Clos des Capucins, Gewurztraminer Cuvée Théo, Pinot Noir Clos des Capucins

78
Q

Clos Hauserer

A

at foot of Hengst GC, Zind-Humbrecht, Riesling.

79
Q

Clos Jebsal

A

surrounded by 3 GCs Florimont/Sommerberg/Brand, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Pinot Gris including SGN

80
Q

Clos Windsbuhl

A

hillside above Hunawihr, Zind-Humbrecht, for Riesling/Gewurztraminer/Pinot Gris (including SNG and VT) varietal wines

81
Q

What is Keuper?

A

In Alsace, these are Triassic period soils of limestone or marl

82
Q

Soils of Geisberg GC

A

Marl-Limestone-Sandstone

83
Q

Soils, grapes, wines of Osterberg GC

A

Marl soils, riesling/Gewurztraminer, riesling used for Trimbach Frederic emile

84
Q

Name two vintages of Clos Ste Hune VT bottlings

A

1983, 1989

85
Q

Name two recent vintage of Frederic Emile VT bottlings

A

2007, 2001 (also 89, 90, 99, ‘00)

86
Q

Muenchberg GC soils, grapes, producer

A

red sandstone and volcanic sediment, riesling, Ostertag

87
Q

Vorbourg CG soils, grapes, Clos site, producers

A

Limestone and Sandstone, Gewurztraminer/Riesling/Pinot Gris, Clos St Landelin (S facing) - René Muré; a potentially important site in future for grand cru level Pinot Noir

88
Q

Schoenenberg GC soils, grapes, producer

A

Stony Marl-Limestone-Sandstone; Riesling - late ripening site, Hugel and Bott-Geyl

89
Q

Schlossberg GC soils, grapes, producers

A

granite soils, riesling most important, Domaine Weinbach/Albert Mann/Martin Schaetzel

90
Q

Zotzenberg GC soils, grapes, producers

A

marl-limestone soils, Sylvaner and Riesling, Albert Seltz - for both grapes

91
Q

Altenberg de Bergheim GC allows blends of what grapes

A

Blends: 50-70% Riesling, 10-25% Pinot Gris, 10-25% Gewurztraminer, max. 10% combined Chasselas, Muscat à Petits Grains, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc

92
Q

Kaefferkopf GC allows blends of what grapes?

A

60-80% Gewurztraminer, 10-40% Riesling, max. 30% Pinot Gris, max. 10% Muscat

93
Q

foehn/föhn

A

occurs on the leeward side of mountains, it is a warm, dry, down-slope wind. In the case of Alsace, the cool/damp Atlantic winds hit the Vosges and are compressed and warmed. (like the Zonda in Argentina)

94
Q

Name 3 producers of Crémant d’Alsace?

A

Albrecht, Zusslin, Dialer-Cadé

95
Q

What is the northernmost of Alsace’s Grand Crus? What is grown there?

A

Steinklotz, Pinot Noir/Pinot Gris/Riesling/Gewurztraminer on limestone soils

96
Q

Name 5 important Grand Crus of the Bas-Rhin

A

Kirchberg de Barr, Zotzenberg, Muenchberg, Altenberg de Bergbeiten

97
Q

What is Altenberg de Bergbeiten known for?

A

Riesling

98
Q

Alsace AOP Klevener de Heiligenstein:

A

Savagnin Rosé

99
Q

Alsace AOP Blienschwiller

A

Sylvaner

100
Q

Alsace AOP Côtes de Barr

A

Sylvaner

101
Q

Alsace AOP Côte de Rouffach

A

Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir

102
Q

Alsace AOP Ottrott

A

Pinot Noir

103
Q

Alsace AOP Rodern

A

Pinot Noir

104
Q

Alsace AOP Saint Hippolyte

A

Pinot Noir

105
Q

Alsace AOP Vallée Noble

A

Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris

106
Q

Alsace AOP Val Saint Grégoire

A

Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris

107
Q

Alsace AOP Scherwiller

A

Riesling

108
Q

Alsace AOP Wolxheim

A

Riesling

109
Q

Alsace AOP Bergheim

A

Gewurztraminer

110
Q

Alsace AOP Coteaux de Haut Koenigsbourg

A

Riesling, Gewurztraminer

111
Q

Under Alsace AOP, which wines must be hand harvested?

A

Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wines labeled by a lieu-dit, and all Alsace VT and SGN wines, must be hand-harvested

112
Q

Name 2 important co-op producers in Alsace

A

Cave de Ribeauvillé, Cave Viticole Hunawihr

113
Q

Why did the number of Alsace Grand Crus increase in 2011?

A

It went from 1 to 51, as each received its own AOP.

114
Q

What is an important GC site for Muscat?

A

Vorbourg

115
Q

Alsace Grand Cru min. potential alcohol:

A

Riesling/Muscat: 11%

Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer: 12.5%`

116
Q

Principal viticultural challenges in Alsace?

A

Possible drought. Soil erosion.

117
Q

In a big picture sense, discuss the terroir of Alsace:

A

3 dominant geological features: the Vosges mountains (granite and sandstone, sometimes shale), the sub-Vosges hills boasting incredible soil diversity and the Rhine alluvial plain (marl and alluvial). The parallel faults have also continued to fragment the soils into an incredibly diverse array.

118
Q

Min. potential alcohol for Alsace AOP ‘blanc’

A

9.5%

119
Q

Which varieties of Muscat are allowed in Alsace?

A

Muscat Ottonel, Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains, and/or Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains