Guild Somm Flashcards
What is the capital of Alsace?
Strasbourg
Name the main soil types of Alsace.
granite limestone schist clay gravel chalk loess
What is “Grés de Vosges”?
the local pink sandstone soil of Alsace
Name the four noble grapes of Alsace.
Riesling
Pinot Gris
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
What percentage of Alsace AOP wine is white?
90%
What is the driest city in France?
Colmar
What types of Muscat are considered Noble in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc a Petite Grains
Muscat Rosé a Petite Grains
Muscat Ottonel
What mountain range separates Alsace from the rest of France?
The Voges Mountains
Name the 2 départments of Alsace. Which one is more superior in quality?
Haut Rhin**
Bas Rhin
-over 2/3 of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in the Haut Rhin
If labeled “Pinot” what are the possible grapes allowed to be in the wine?
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Noir
Pinot Gris
Auxerrois
What grapes are allowed in Alsace AOP other than the 4 noble grapes?
Pinot Blanc
Chasselas
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
What is Gutedel?
Chasselas
Why is the year 1945 significant to Alsace?
- many if the region’s current vineyards date back to 1945
- 1945 marks the divergence of French and German winemaking styles
In what year did Alsace finally achieve AOC status?
1962
-the last major French winemaking region to do so
All varietally labeled Alsace AOP wines must contain _____% of the printed grape. What grape is the exception?
100%
Pinot Blanc is the exception as it is often blended with Auxerrois
As of 2008 forward, what style must Riesling be in Alsace according to Alsatian AOP law?
DRY
What is the most planted grape in Alsace?
Riesling
-it is also the last noble grape to ripen
In what year did the number of actual Alsace Grand Cru AOPs increase from 1-51?
2011
-each vineyard received its own appellation
What is Tokay d’Alsace?
Pinot Gris
What is Klevner?
Pinot Blanc
What is Klevener?
- a pink variant of Traminer
- known as Savagnin in the Jura
- plantings in Heiligenstein in the Bas Rhin
What 5 communes can bottle Klevener de Heiligenstein varietally?
Heiligenstein Bourgheim Gertwiller Goxwiller Obernai
What is Edelzwicker?
a “noble mixture”
- inexpensive blended wine
- does not need to be vintage dated, not legally obligated to contain more than one grape
What does the term “Gentil” refer to?
a superior designation for blends
- min. 50% of noble grapes
- base wine vinified seperately
Who is Marcel Deiss?
a staunch advocate for producing field blended wines which are vinified together and produced under a vineyard name
-emphasizes Alsatian terroir
How many Grand Crus are there in Alsace?
51
- 1 in 1975
- 24 in 1983
- 25 in 1992
- 1 in 2007
What was the first Grand Cru AOP of Alsace?
Schlossberg in 1975
What is Kaefferkopf ?
The last grand cru of Alsace awarded in 2007
What non-noble grape varietal is allowed to be Grand Cru and where is it allowed?
Sylvaner in Zotzenberg
What are the regulations for Alsace Grand Cru.
- hand harvesting
- min. sugar levels are high than Alsace AOP
- yields are more restricted
- Riesling/Muscat min. 11%abv
- Pinot Gris/ Gewurztraminer min. 12.5% abv
What is the smallest Grand Cru of Alsace?
Kanzlerberg
-3 hectares
What Grand Cru is Clos-Ste-Hune located in?
Rosacker
What is the largest Grand Cru of Alsace?
Schlossberg
-80 hectares
What was Trimbach’s first vintage of Geisberg Grand Cru?
2009
What 2 producers traditionally do not promote admissible wines as Alsace Grand Cru AOP?
Trimbach
Hugel
What are the 2 grand crus of Alsace that allow blending?
Kaefferkopf
Altenberg de Bergheim
What are the two designations for late harvest wines in Alsace?
Vendage Tardive
Sélection de Grains Nobles
What are the qualifications for VT and SGN labeling?
- hand harvesting
- Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Cru AOP
- a single, noble variety
- must pass a blind tasting panel
- terms imply sweetness
Which one shows signs of botrytis: VT or SGN?
VT-may show botrytis but emphasizes varietal character
SGN-picked in tries and suppresses varietal character in return for the complexities of botrytis
True or False:
SGN wines are always dessert-like.
VT wines may vary in actual sugar and can be quite dry.
TRUE
What are the minimum sugar levels for Vendage Tardives?
235 g/l for Muscat/ Riesling
257 g/l for Pinot Gris/ Gewurtztraminer
What are the minimum sugar levels for Sélection de Grains Nobes?
276 g/l for Muscat/ Riesling
306 g/l for Pinot Gris/ Gewurtztraminer
What is the only red variety permitted for Alsace AOP wines?
Pinot Noir
What is the main grape varietal of Crémant d’Alsace AOP?
Pinot Blanc
What is the only appellation of Alsace to allow Chardonnay?
Crémant d’Alsace
Name all the grapes allowed in Crémant d’ Alsace.
Pinot Blanc Pinot Noir Chardonnay Riesling Pinot Gris Auxerrois
Requirements for Crémant d'Alsace AOP: min. alc min. must weight method of fermentation harvest method aging
min. alc.- 9% abv
min. must weight- 144g/l
method of fermentation- traditional method
harvest method- hand harvesting
aging- 9 mos. on lees prior to disgorgement. 12 months total aging as of 2012.
min. 4 atmospheres of pressure
Name the 2 appellations of Lorraine.
Côtes de Toul AOP
Moselle AOP
Describe the wines of Côtes de Toul AOP.
- Light red wines made from Pinot Noir
- white wines from Auxerrois and Aubin
- Rosé wines pale vin gris style from Gamay and Pinot Noir
What year was Moselle AOP upgraded from VDQS to AOP? What are the main grapes?
2011
Auxerrois and Pinot Noir
varietally labeled: Pinot Gris and Müller-Thurgau
