North France Flashcards

1
Q

What are Vineyards altitude in Alsace?

A

Most vineyards are at an altitude of between 175 m and 420 m

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2
Q

Which is the biggest Grand Cru site in Alsace?

A

Schlossberg

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3
Q

Name two designations for late-harvest wines in Alsace?

A

Vendages Tardives and Selections de Grains Nobles (botrytis).

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4
Q

Which is the smallest Grand Cru site in Alsace?

A

Kanzlerberg

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5
Q

Which grape variety is known as Tokay d`Alsace?

A

Pinot Gris

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6
Q

Who is producing Riesling; Jubilée cuvée; vineyard?

A

Hugel, Grand Cru Schoenenbourg

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7
Q

Over two-thirds of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards are located in which département?

A

Haut-Rhin. Colmar is the capital and the driest city in France.

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8
Q

An inxpensive blended wine will be labeled with what term in Alsace?

A

Edelzwicker

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9
Q

More quality blend wine will be labeled with what term in Alsace?

A

Gentil. It requires a minimum of 50% of noble grapes. Base wines must be vinified seperately.

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10
Q

Dessert Wines made from grapes affected by noble rot (botrytis) will have what designation in Alsace?

A

Selections de Grains Nobles

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11
Q

Dessert Wines made from grapes picked when over-ripe will have what designation in Alsace?

A

Vendanges Tardives (late harvest), they don’t need to be sweet.

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12
Q

Alsace most planted grape variety is?

A

Riesling

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13
Q

What is the only red variety permitted for Alsace AOP wines?

A

Pinot Noir, light red and rosé wines are the result, although the wines can achieve depth in warmer vintages, may contribute to the Crémant d’Alsace AOP blend.

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14
Q

What is the most important variety for Crémant d’Alsace AOP?

A

Pinot Blanc

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15
Q

What is minimum alcohol level for Alsace Grand Cru wines?

A

11% for Riesling and Muscat and 12.5% for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer; although certain vineyards require higher levels.

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16
Q

When AOP Alsace was created, what percentage of Alsace production?

A

AOP Alsace was created in 1962. It represents 74% of the region’s wine production; of which 92% are white wines.

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17
Q

Name permitted grape varieties for Alsace Grand Cru?

A

Riesling; Gewurztraminer; Pinot Gris and Muscat.

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18
Q

What is the latest-ripening of the Alsace noble varietals?

A

Riesling

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19
Q

How many ha under vine in Alsace?

A

15;500 hectares of AOC vineyards in production

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20
Q

What is the name of mountains that act as rain shadow in Alsace?

A

Vosges Mountains

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21
Q

Describe Alsace Riesling?

A

Typically dry (either with no residual sugar or a low amount that is not easily evident in tasting due to high acidity), medium to full body, medium alcohol, medium to high acidity, with citrus (lemon, grapefruit) and stone fruit (peach) flavour with a prononounced stony/steely character.

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22
Q

Describe Alsace Gewürztraminer?

A

Typically medium lemon in colour, with pronounced aromas of lychee, peach/apricot, rose and spice, with medium to high alcohol, and medium to full body and low acidity. In Alsace the wines are made in a range of styles from dry through to sweet.

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23
Q

Describe Alsace Pinot Gris?

A

Wines have medium intensity aromas of peach and apple and are full bodied with medium acidity. The best examples have a rich oily texture and have the capacity to age and develop honeyed and smoky notes. In Alsace the wines are made in a full range of styles from dry to sweet but trend is to produce drier style.

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24
Q

Trimbach’s Riesling Clos Ste.-Hune is produced from what Grand Cru vineyard?

A

Rosacker. Wine is almost every year far and away the finest Riesling in Alsace.

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25
Q

What is Vin de Paille?

A

French for ‘straw wine’, Sweet wine made by drying the grapes off the vine. All Jura varieties except Pinot Noir are permitted. The wines must be above 14% abv, and residual sugar levels are typically 70–120 g/L. They must be aged in oak for a minimum of 18 months and released no sooner than three years after vintage.

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26
Q

What is mean Vin Jaune?

A

Meaning literally ‘yellow wine’ in French, oxidative white wine from Jura region made from Savagnin grapes using a technique similar to that used for making sherry but without fortification.

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27
Q

What area in the Loire Valley is planted with vine?

A

50.000 ha

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28
Q

Name four subregions in the Loire Valley?

A

Central vineyards, Touraine, Anjou-Saumur, and the Pay Nantais

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29
Q

What is the most important white variety in Touraine?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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30
Q

What is the most important white variety in Anjou-Saumur?

A

Chenin Blanc for dry, off-dry and sweet white wines

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31
Q

What grape variety is known as Breton in the Loire Valley?

A

Cabernet Franc

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32
Q

What grape variety is known as Cot in the Loire Valley?

A

Malbec

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33
Q

What grape variety is known as Pineau de la Loire in the Loire Valley?

A

Chenin Blanc

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34
Q

What kind of wine is Cremant de Loire AOP?

A

Higher quality sparkling; traditional method. The better quality wines will consist primarily of Chardonnay; possibly with Cabernet Franc; Pinot Noir and Chenin Blanc.

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35
Q

Name grapes used for Cremant de Loire AOP?

A

Any grapes permitted in the Loire may be used for both white and rosé sparklings; except Sauvignon Blanc; which is considered too aromatic. Better quality wines will consist primarily of Chardonnay; possibly with Cabernet Franc; Pinot Noir and Chenin Blanc.

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36
Q

Describe Loire Chenin Blanc wines?

A

Dry and off-dry wines have medium intensity aromas of green apple and lemon (sometimes with a steely, smoky character), medium alcohol, and noticeably high acidity, often balanced with some residual sugar for an off-dry style.

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37
Q

Describe Loire Cabernet Franc wines?

A

Medium to pronounced intensity red fruit (redcurrant, raspberry), floral (violet) aromas and can have leafy aromas, a light to medium body, medium tannins and high acidity.

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38
Q

Name three regional appellations in the middle Loire?

A

Anjou AOC, Saumur AOC, Touraine AOC

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39
Q

What region is Loire’s center for sparkling wine production?

A

Saumur

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40
Q

What kind of wine is Anjou Villages AOC?

A

Only for red wines, made entirely from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, either singly or blended; in practice, they are mostly Cabernet Franc.

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41
Q

What kind of wine is produced in Anjou Villages Brissac AOP?

A

Appellation for the finest red wines produced from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It was separated out of the wider Anjou Villages catchment area in 1998.

42
Q

What grape varieties are used for Anjou Blanc?

A

It must have a minimum of 80 per cent Chenin Blanc

43
Q

What grape varieties are used for Anjou Rouge?

A

Minimum of 70 per cent of Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon.

44
Q

What is the best appelation in Anjou for dry white wines?

A

Savennieres AOP. Late harvested Chenin Blanc is used for full-bodied; dry wines of exceptional complexity and longivity.

45
Q

What kind of wine is Savennières AOC?

A

Small but prestigious appellation mainly specialising in fully dry wine made from Chenin Blanc that have very high acidity and often reach high levels of alcohol. They can be very austere in youth and historically have required many years in bottle before they became approachable.

46
Q

Name two unofficial grands crus of Savennières?

A

Roche aux Moines and Coulée de Serrant.

47
Q

What kind of wine is produced in Savennières Coulée de Serrant AOP?

A

Single-vineyard cru sub-appellation of Savennières, 100% Chenin Blanc. Monopole Owner: Nicolas Joly.

48
Q

What is the sweetness level of Savennières AOC?

A

Standard Savennieres is now officially a dry wine, with its Demi-sec, Moelleux and Doux statements indicating higher levels of residual sugar.

49
Q

Name Savennieres AOP sub-appellations?

A

None (In 2011, Coulée de Serrant and Roche-aux-Moines, formerly considered geographic designations of Savennières, each received their own AOCs.)

50
Q

Name three important appellations for sweet wine in Anjou?

A

Coteaux du Layon AOC, Bonnezeaux AOC, and Quarts de Chaume AOC

51
Q

Describe Coteaux du Layon sweet wines?

A

Pronounced aromas of cooked citrus and apple with honey notes. They are medium (+) bodied, medium alcohol, high acidity and a sweet finish.

52
Q

Name two areas within Coteaux de Layon that have a high-quality reputation for sweet wines and are appellations in their own right?

A

Bonnezeaux AOC and Quarts de Chaume AOC

53
Q

Where is located and what kind of wine is produced in Quarts de Chaume?

A

High quality sweet wines. Extraordinary small enclave within the Coteaux du Layon, and appellation on its own. Grand Cru.

54
Q

What kind of wine is produced in Bonnezeaux AOP?

A

Particularly well-favoured enclave for sweet wine production from Chenin Blanc within the Coteaux du Layon. Yields are usually very low; 25 hl/ha.

55
Q

Where is located and what kind of wine is produced in Coteaux de l’Aubance?

A

Anjou, sweet wine from Chenin Blanc but not as highly regarded as Coteaux du Layon.

56
Q

Name Loire Valley Grand Cru appellation?

A

Quarts de Chaume.

57
Q

Name Loire Valley Premier Cru appellation?

A

Coteaux du Layon Chaume.

58
Q

Name three appellations for the rose wines production in the Anjou-Saumur?

A

Rosé de Loire AOC, Rosé d’Anjou AOC, and Cabernet d’Anjou AOC

59
Q

Name grape varieties used for Rosé de Loire AOC?

A

Range of varieties including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay and Grolleau Noir. The wines are dry.

60
Q

Name grape varieties used for Rosé d’Anjou AOC?

A

Mostly made from Grolleau, medium dry, popular wine and the best-selling of the three Rosé AOCs.

61
Q

Name grape varieties used for Cabernet d’Anjou AOC?

A

Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are typically a deeper colour than most rosé (medium pink) and medium-dry but with high acidity. This is the highest quality rose from Anjou.

62
Q

What kind of wine is Coteaux de Saumur AOC?

A

Sweet wines made with over-ripe Chenin Blanc grapes, with or without botrytis, picked in a number of passes through the vineyard. The wines are lusciously sweet, balanced by high acidity.

63
Q

What is the most quality red wine appellation in Anjou?

A

Saumur-Champigny AOC, minimum 85 percent Cab Franc made in light style. Most wines are intended to be drunk young for their primary fruit, some wines can low flavour intensity because of high yields.

64
Q

What are principal variety for Touraine AOC Blanc?

A

Sauvignon Blanc. There is also possibility of adding name of six sub-zones, different varieties used, e.g. Touraine AOC Amboise is Chenin Blanc

65
Q

What are principal varieties for red Touraine AOC?

A

Cabernet Franc and Cot. Gamay is also grown, name of the variety may be attached, i.e. Touraine AOC Gamay.

66
Q

Touraine’s largest and most important white wine district is?

A

Vouvray AOP which may be produced in a range of sweetness levels: sec, sec-tendre (off-dry), demi-sec, moelleux, and liquereux.

67
Q

What grape variety is Vouvray?

A

Chenin Blanc

68
Q

Name sweetness levels for Vouvray AOP apart from Sec?

A

“Demi-sec” is 9-18 grams; “moelleux” is 18-45 grams; “liquereux” is above 45grams.

69
Q

Name appellation that used to be part of Vouvray that produce wines similar in style?

A

Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC

70
Q

What is Vouvray Mousseux?

A

Sparkling wine produced in traditional method with Chenin Blanc grape.

71
Q

Name three appellations which produce Loire’s best and most ageworthy red wines?

A

Chinon AOP, Bourgueil AOP, and St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOP set the standard for classic Loire Cabernet Franc. They are found in Touraine.

72
Q

What kind of wine is produced in Bourgueil AOP?

A

Majority of wine produced is red from Cabernet Franc (up to 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon), fuller and more tannins than Chinon; small production of rose but not white.

73
Q

What kind of wine is St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC?

A

Generally a lighter style of wine than Bourgueil AOC. The wines are similar in style and price to Saumur-Champigny AOC.

74
Q

What kind of wine is Chinon AOC?

A

Appellation best known and highly regarded for red wines produced from Cab Franc with 10 percent of Cab Sauv, although whites from CB and rose wines are also made. The wines range from light fruity, early to drink examples to much more structured and powerful wines.

75
Q

What are principal white and red grape varieties in Central Vineyards in the Loire Valley?

A

Sauvignon Blanc for white wines and Pinot Noir for reds and rosés

76
Q

Explain Central vineyards climate?

A

Continental climate with severe winters and hot summers. Summer hails and spring frosts are recurrent problems.

77
Q

What area in the Sancerre is planted with vine?

A

2.600 ha

78
Q

What kind of soil is found in Sancerre?

A

Chalky stony soil; (Chablis); rich in marine fossils.

79
Q

Name most famous village for production of Sancerre?

A

Chavignol. Also home to the most famous goat cheese produced in the Loire Valley, Crottin de Chavignol.

80
Q

Name most famous vineyard for production of Sancerre?

A

Les Monts Damnes

81
Q

Describe typical Sancerre?

A

Medium intensity aromas of grapefruit and gooseberry, medium alcohol and high acidity. They rarely have new oak flavours.

82
Q

What area in the Pouilly-Fume is planted with vine?

A

1.000 ha

83
Q

What kind of wine is produced in Pouilly-Fumé AOC?

A

Sauvignon Blanc only, tends to be a little rounder and less aromatic than Sancerre and often needs a little more time – six months to a year in bottle – to really start to show.

84
Q

What kind of soil is found in Pouilly-Fume AOP?

A

Predominantly limestone soils, with some flint (silex)

85
Q

What kind of wine is produced in Sancerre AOC?

A

White wines from Sauvignon Blanc only and red and rosé wines from Pinot Noir only. This is the largest of the Central Vineyards appellations and the most commercially successful.

86
Q

Which Central vineyard appellation was the second appellation created; just after de CdP?

A

Quincy AOP. 210 ha under vine.

87
Q

What kind of wine is produced in Reuilly AOC?

A

White wines from Sauvignon Blanc only, red from Pinot Noir only, rosé from Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir

88
Q

What kind of wine is produced in Quincy AOC?

A

White wines only from Sauvignon Blanc (minimum 90 per cent) and Sauvignon Gris, same maximum yield as Sancerre.

89
Q

Name grapes used for Menetou-Salon AOP?

A

Same situation as in Sancerre; Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. 500 ha under vine. Appellation is found in Loire Central Vineyards.

90
Q

Pouilly-sur-Loire produce what kind of wines?

A

White wines from Chasselas grape

91
Q

Name two appellations in Loire Central Vineyards where only production of white wines from Sauvignon Blanc is allowed?

A

Pouilly-Fumé AOC and Quincy AOC

92
Q

Name three appellations in Loire Central Vineyards where production of white, red, and rose wines is allowed?

A

Sancerre AOC, Reuilly AOC, and Menetou-Salon AOC

93
Q

What is the biggest appelation for production of Muscadet wine?

A

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, at 8,800 ha the Loire’s largest appellation

94
Q

Muscadet wine is produced from what grape variety?

A

Melon

95
Q

Describe wines made by Melon variety?

A

High acidity, a light body and low to medium alcohol, low aromatic intensity (green apple), which is often made sur lie to make wines more full bodied. Ageing on the lees also retains the freshness of the wine and may retain a small amount of carbon dioxide, which is part of the style of these wines.

96
Q

What is mean “sur lie” on wine label?

A

Sur lie wines are aged on their lees over the winter, and are bottled directly off the fine lees (without filtering) between March 1 and November 30 of the year following the harvest. The process adds complexity, richness and a slight sparkle to the finished wines.

97
Q

What sur lie aging adds to Muscadet wine?

A

Complexity, richness and slight sparkle.

98
Q

Describe typical Vin Jaune wine?

A

Medium lemon to medium gold in colour and has pronounced aromas of bread dough, walnuts, ginger and green apple with high acidity. The wines are dry, often with high alcohol and are medium bodied. They are renowned for being able to age for several decades.

99
Q

What is the only Alsace appellation allowing the use of Chardonnay?

A

Crémant d’Alsace

100
Q

What is the only variety that Crémant d’Alsace Rosé can be made from?

A

Pinot Noir