FWS Main Flashcards
collection of mastered cards
What is the effect of the Vosges Mountains on the vineyards in Alsace.
The Vosges Mountains provide a rain shadow that ensures mainly sunny and dry growing conditions.
T/F? Chaptalization is common in Alsace.
False, the technique is disappearing as a result of global warming.
Alsace - T/F? Grass may be planted between rows of vines to increase grape yields.
False, grass is planted to decrease yields by competing with the vines for nutrients.
Is Riesling indigenous to France?
No, it is from the Rhine Valley in Germany.
What is the impact of global climate change in the dryness of Alsace Wines?
It is causing sugar levels to rise, more off-dry wines are being produced.
What is the most widely planted grape in Alsace?
Riesling
T/F? The grapes for the Alsace AOC can be sourced from any part of Alsace.
True
Jura - Which AOC is solely planted to Savagnin Blanc and only crafts Vin Jaune?
Chateau-Chalon AOC
Jura - Which AOC has vineyards comprised of star shaped fossils and grows mostly Chardonnay?
L’Etoile AOC
In the Jura, what is the largest AOC in terms of size and volume?
Arbois AOC
T/F? Is Macvin du Jura white only?
False, but white is much more common
Describe Macvin du Jura.
It is a fortified must representing ~6% of Jura production.
The fortifying spirit must be at least 52%, made from Jura fruit, and have been barrel aged on-site for at least 14 months.
Final ABV is 16-22%
Aged in cask for 10 months.
Uses all five Jura grapes, which are harvested at above 170 g/L sugar (17%).
AOC granted 1991.
What is the minimum aging for Macvin du Jura?
10 months
In what Jura AOCs is Vin de Paille made?
Arbois, L’Etoile, Cotes du Jura
In the Jura, what is Vin de Paille?
“Wine of Straw” - can use all grapes in Jura except Pinot Noir; grapes dried for a minimum of 6 weeks; pressed juice not fermented to dryness, finishes with 14-15% ABV; aged for 18 months in barrel, released 3 years after vintage.
Jura - how long does Vin de Paille need to age in barrel.
Minimum 18 months, with release 3 years after vintage
Jura - define Sous Voile
“under the veil” - under the flor - controlled oxidation; it is wine that is pulled early from the Vin Jaune process (prior to 6 years 3 months).
Jura - define Ouille’
without ullage
In what is Vin Jaune bottled?
A 620ml Clavelin.
How long must a barrel of Vin Jaune not be topped off or moved?
5 years minimum
Jura - what is the name of the headspace in a barrel of Vin Jaune?
Ullage
Jura - what is the name of the film forming yeast used to make Vin Jaune?
flor
What grapes can be used to make Vin Jaune?
Only Savagnin Blanc
Jura - which AOCs may produce Vin Jaune?
Chateau Chalon, Arbois, L’Etoile, Cotes du Jura
What are the AOCs of the Jura?
Arbois, L’Etoile (white only), Chateau Chalon, Cotes du Jura, Crémant du Jura, Macvin du Jura
What two white grapes are grown in the Jura?
Chardonnay (42% of the total) and Savagnin Blanc (23% of the total).
What red grapes are grown in the Jura?
Poulsard (Ploussard, 14% of production), Pinot Noir (13% of production), and Trousseau (8% of production)
In what direction do most of Jura vineyards face?
South / Southwest
What are the primary soils in Jura?
80% clay and marls, 20% limestone
What percentage of Jura production is Crémant?
about 25%
What does the term “Sous Voile” signify on a bottle of Jura wine?
The wine has been made with controlled exposure to oxygen under a surface layer (veil) of yeast (flor).
Vin Jaune labeled “Vin de Garde” is intended for what?
Cellaring
What is the most widely planted grape in the Jura?
Chardonnay
What Jura native created the Bordeaux Mixture for treating mildew and pioneered the grafting of French vines to American root stock?
Alexis Millardet
What Jura AOC produces only Vin Jaune?
Chateau Chalon AOC
The main grape used in the production of Cremant du Jura is?
Chardonnay
Which Jura region produces more red wine than white?
Arbois AOC
Describe the climate of the Jura.
Semi-Continental;
Very cold winters, summers have potential for very warm days, but with cool nights.
average 45” rain, 1800 hours sunlight growing season.
What is the name of the grape indigenous to the Jura and known for making “almost red” wines?
Poulsard (Ploussard)
What is the largest AOC in Jura in volume and geographical size?
Arbois AOC
What two Jura AOCs represent styles rather than geographical locations?
Macvin du Jura, Cremant du Jura
What are the five permitted grapes in the Jura?
Chardonnay (42%), Savagnin Blanc (23%), Poulsard (14%), Pinot Noir (13%), Trousseau (8%)
What was Charles Rouget’s contribution to winemaking?
Noted that the same variety may have different names in different locations, and may express different characteristics dependent on location.
What Jura AOC grows only Savagnin Blanc?
Chateau Chalon AOC
What are the three synonyms for Chardonnay in the Jura?
Melon d’Arbois, Melon a’Queue Rouge, Gamay Blanc
What is Ullage?
Headspace in a barrel; allows he controlled exposure of wine to oxygen.
What was Louis Pasteur’s contribution to winemaking?
Pasteur discovered that a microbe he named yeast was responsible for fermentation.
What three Jura AOCs produce Vin de Paille?
Cotes du Jura, L’Etoile, Arbois
What grape may not be used in Jura Vin de Paille?
Pinot Noir
Characterize Cremant production in the Jura
All five grapes may be used, must be hand harvested, overall is 25% of production, white Cremant is 90% of Cremant production, Chardonnay is dominant.
Describe typical Jura red wines.
light in color, high acid, low tannin
How is most Chardonnay made in Jura?
Reductively, with no ullage (barrels are topped up).
How is most Savagnin Blanc made in Jura?
Oxidatively, with Ullage, aged in barrels without topping up; “sous voile”
What is another name for the Trousseau grape?
Bastardo
Is Poulsard indigenous to the Jura?
yes
T/F? The Jura mountains form the eastern uplift of the Saone Graben?
True
What separates the Jura from the Cote d’Or?
The Bresse Plain
T/F? Jurassic era limestone-clays were first discovered in the Jura Mountains?
True
What is the most widely planted red grape in Jura AOC?
Poulsard, at about 14% of production
How did phylloxera affect Jura?
reduced number of varietals to five.
What role did Alexis Millardet play in wine production?
He created “Bordeaux Mixture” from copper and sulfur to combat mildew.
What does the Jura lie in?
The Saone Graben; it is formed by the Jura mountains to the east, includes the Bresse Plain to the west of Jura, and is bounded by the Cote d’Or in the west.
What is the vineyard area of Jura?
Stretches 48 miles N-S, has 5000 acres planted.
What rivers do the sub-Alpine Jura Mountains separate?
Rhine and Rhone
The Jura soils are mostly clay. How does this impact working in the vineyard?
The soils are hard to work with when wet, but will dry out quickly when the weather is warm and sunny.
What are potential source areas for IGP Pays d’Oc?
Languedoc, Roussillon
Where is Syrah considered a native grape?
France
What is garrigue?
nutrient-poor limestone
What is garrigue?
nutrient-poor limestone
