France-Alsace Flashcards

1
Q

When were most vineyards of Alsace planted?

A

1945 after WWII

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What stylistic shift of winemaking happened in Alsace after WWII?

A

marked stylistic shift between French/German winemaking styles

French began fermenting to dry

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Name major eras and corresponding ownership of Alsace throughout history

A
  • Middle Ages: Province of Germanic Holy Roman Empire
  • 30 Yrs War (1618-1648): French seized it to shut out Spanish Habsburgs
  • Franco-Prussian War (1871): Germany
  • WWI: France reclaims
  • WWII: German occupancy, but remains French
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

When did Alsace gain AOC status? Significance?

A

1962

last major region to do so

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are primary languages of Alsace?

A

French
German
Alsacien (distinct from either)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which région is Alsace in? Along with which others?

A

Grande Est Région w/ Lorraine and Champagne as of 2016

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are major geo features of Alsace?

A

Vosges Mtns

Rhine River

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Where are Vosges Mtns in Alsace?

A

W of Region, separating it from the rest of France

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Where is Rhine river in Alsace?

A

E, forms border w/ Germany

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the capital of Alsace?

A

Strausbourg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Where do the best vineyards of Alsace sit?

A

thin band along lower slopes of Vosges w/ S, SE, or (warmest) E exposures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the climate of Alsace?

A

semi-continental

driest and sunniest in FR

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

the vines of Alsace ripen w/ more regularity than what other 2 major regions of FR?

A

Loire

N Burgundy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Best and worst recent vintages of Alsace?

A

Best Recent=07-12 (07 Best)

Worst Recent=2014

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Best and worst classic vintages of Alsace?

A

Best Classic=88-90

Worst Classic=1991

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is soil structure of Alsace?

A

Local pink sandstone=grés de Vosges

  • Steeper mtn slopes=schist, granite, volcanic sediments
  • Lower slopes=limestone base
  • Plains=alluvial clay and gravel
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is gés de Vosges?

A

local pink sandstone of Alsace

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

how are varietals planted according to soil type in Alsace?

A

PG/Gewurtz best on Marl/Limestone (lower slopes)

Riesling/Muscat best on volcanic, granite/schist (higher slopes)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the départements of Alsace?

A

Haut-Rhin

Bas-Rhin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

how much of Alsace GC is produced in Haut-Rhin?

A

2/3rds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the capital of Haut-Rhin? Unique about climate?

A

Colmar

driest city in FR

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

how much of Alsace production is White?

A

90%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are most planted grapes in Alsace?

A

PB, Auxerrois

24
Q

What are 4 noble varieties of Alsace? Unofficial 5th?

A

Riesling, PG, Muscat, Gewurtzraminer

unofficial 5th=Sylvaner

25
Q

what are former synonyms of PG in Alsace?

A

Tokay d’Alsace, Tokay PG

26
Q

What Clevner?

A

alt name for PB in Alsace

27
Q

What is Gutedel

A

Chasselas in Alsace

28
Q

What is Traminer known as in Alsace?

A

Klevner (de Heiligenstein)

aka, Savagnin Rose

29
Q

What grape is allowed to be blended w/ PB in Alsace w/out being on the label?

A

Auxerrois

30
Q

A wine labelled “Pinot” in Alsace may be what?

A

blend of PN, PB, PG, and/or Auxerrois

31
Q

What is the only red permitted in Alsace?

A

PN

32
Q

Which communes are authorized for Klevner de Heiligenstein?

A
Heiligenstein
Bourgheim
Gertwiller
Goxwiller
Obernai
33
Q

What is clairet and schillerwein in Alsace?

A

reds from 100% PN

34
Q

When did Alsace instate max RS levels for “dry” Riesling? What are they?

A

2008 harvest

6-12 g/L depending on chaptalization/tartaric acid levels

35
Q

What is Edelzwicker?

A
  • “Noble mixture”
  • inexpensive blended wine
  • vintage not necessary
  • not legally required to be, but in practice are blends
36
Q

What is Gentil?

A
  • Min 50% noble grapes + other authorized varieties
  • Base wines must be vinified separately
  • Still not legal term
37
Q

Who is biggest proponent of field blends in Alsace?

A

Marcel Deiss

38
Q

What must all Alsatian wine be bottled in?

A

in “Vin du Rhin/Flûte d’Alsace” bottles

39
Q

What does VT and SGN signify in Alsace?

A

Vendanges Tardive

Sélection de Grains Nobles

40
Q

When were VT and SGN categories created in Alsace?

A

1984

41
Q

What AOPs qualify for VT and SGN in Alsace?

A

Alsace and Alsace GC AOPs

42
Q

What are general characteristics of Alsace VT?

A
  • May show botrytis but emphasize varietal character

- Varying levels of sugar

43
Q

What are min harvest sugar levels for Alsace VT?

A

a. Muscat/Riesling=244 g/L

b. PG/Gewurtz=270 g/L

44
Q

What are Min sugar levels for Alsace SGN?

A

a. Muscat/Riesling=276 g/L

b. PG/Gewurtz=306 g/L

45
Q

What are general characteristics of Alsace SGN?

A
  1. Usually picked in tries
  2. Lose varietal character, gain botrytis notes
  3. Always sweet
46
Q

how much of the region’s production is Crémant d’Alsace?

A

1/4 of region

47
Q

What is primary grape of Crémant d’Alsace? Other grapes?

A

PB

Chard, Riesling, PG, Auxerrois

48
Q

What grape is allowed in Crémant d’Alsace that is not permitted in the other AOPs?

A

Chard

49
Q

What is the varietal of Rosé Crémant d’Alsace? Allowable production methods?

A

PN only

maceration or saignée

50
Q

What are aging req’s of Crémant d’Alsace?

A

min 9 mo lees, 12 total

51
Q

Where is Côtes de Toul? What styles of wine?

A

Lorraine

i. Light reds from PN only
ii. Whites from Auxerrois and Aubin
iii. Rosés=vin gris, mainly Gamay and PN

52
Q

When did Moselle gain AOP status?

A

2011

53
Q

What are primary styles of Moselle?

A

R/W/R from Auxerrois and PN

i. Reds=PN only
ii. Rosés PN and gamay
iii. Varietally labeled Müller-Thurgau and PG allowed

54
Q

What countries does the Mosel river form boundaries w/ in France?

A

Flows N from France forming border w/ Luxembourg and Germany

55
Q

Major producers of Alsace?

A

Trimabach, Hugel, Zind-Humbrecht, Francois Baur, Valentin Zusslin, Willm, Louis Sipp, Trapet, Rene Muré, Schoffit, Lucien Albrecht