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Master Somm Prep > Switzerland > Flashcards

Switzerland Flashcards

1
Q

What countries surround Switzerland?

A

Switzerland is surrounded by France (west), Germany (north), Austria (east), and Italy (south).

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2
Q

What are the four national languages of Switzerland?

A

The national languages are French, German, Italian, and Romansch.

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3
Q

How many cantons does Switzerland have?

A

Switzerland has 26 nearly autonomous cantons.

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4
Q

When did Phylloxera first hit Geneva?

A

Phylloxera first hit Geneva in 1871.

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5
Q

What percentage of wine produced in Switzerland is consumed locally?

A

90% of the wine produced is consumed locally.

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6
Q

How many acres are planted with vineyards in Switzerland?

A

There are 36,443 acres (14,748 ha) planted with vineyards.

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7
Q

How are many vineyards in Switzerland tended to?

A

Many of the vineyards are tended to by hand rather than commercially farmed.

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8
Q

Is irrigation allowed in Swiss vineyards?

A

Yes, irrigation is allowed and used in dry areas like Valais.

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9
Q

What are Bisses?

A

Bisses are steep channels of mountain water commonly used for irrigation in Valais.

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10
Q

What geological event created the Alps?

A

The Alps were created by the meeting of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates.

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11
Q

What was the historical yield of Swiss vineyards compared to Germany?

A

In the past, Switzerland regularly achieved as high yields as Germany.

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12
Q

What is Malolactic Fermentation used for?

A

Malolactic Fermentation is often used to curve the natural tartness in the wine.

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13
Q

What impact did the introduction of AOC have on Swiss wine yields?

A

Since the introduction of AOC, yields have been limited and ML for white wines were no longer routinely used.

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14
Q

Which cantons in Western Switzerland produce wine?

A

The French-speaking cantons are Valais, Vaud, Geneva, and Neuchâtel (Trois Lacs).

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15
Q

Which canton in Southern Switzerland focuses on the Merlot grape?

A

The Italian-speaking canton of Ticino focuses almost exclusively on the Merlot grape.

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16
Q

What is the significance of AOCs in Switzerland?

A

Each canton has its own AOC Regulations, with complex specifications.

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17
Q

What might change regarding AOCs in Switzerland as of 2022?

A

Switzerland is due to fall under the EU’s AOP and IGP System.

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18
Q

What is the most cultivated white grape in Switzerland?

A

Chasselas is the most cultivated white grape in Switzerland.

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19
Q

What grape is prominent in Eastern Switzerland?

A

Muller-Thurgau is prominent in the eastern (German-speaking) side.

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20
Q

What grape varieties are allowed in Valais?

A

Major white grapes include Chasselas, Petite Arvine, and R�ze; major red grapes include Pinot Noir and Gamay.

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21
Q

What is the climate like in Valais?

A

Valais has an alpine climate and is Switzerland’s driest winegrowing region.

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22
Q

What is the Charte Grain Noble ConfidenCiel?

A

It is a label seal of quality for traditional sweet wines affected by botrytis created in 1996.

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23
Q

What is the significance of the Grand Cru system in Valais?

A

Valais has a Grand Cru system, but it does not have regional AOCs like Vaud.

24
Q

What is the most important wine region in Switzerland?

A

Valais is the most important wine region, producing 1/3 of the nation’s wine.

25
Q

What are the major wine regions (Cantons) in Switzerland?

A

The six major wine regions are Valais, Vaud, Geneva, Trois Lacs, Ticino, and German Switzerland (Deutschschweiz).

26
Q

What grape varieties are allowed in Vaud?

A

In Vaud, the main varieties include Chasselas, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Gamaret, and Garanoir.

27
Q

What is the climate like in Vaud?

A

Vaud has a milder climate than Valais, with fruit gently ripened by the lake.

28
Q

What are the AOC Grand Cru requirements in Vaud?

A

90% of the grapes must originate in the AOC, and the wine must have a minimum must weight five degrees higher than the surrounding AOC.

29
Q

What is the main grape variety produced in Geneva?

A

Gamay is the #1 most produced grape in Geneva.

30
Q

What is the significance of the Cave de Genève?

A

Cave de Genève has switched from producing everyday wine to being the main ambassador for the winemaking renaissance in the area.

31
Q

What are the communes located between Arve and Lake?

A

Hermance, Anières, Collonge-Bellerive, Corsier, Cologny, Jussy, Choulex.

32
Q

What is the first AOC of Switzerland?

A

AOC Geneva.

33
Q

How many AOC Premier Cru are there in Geneva?

A

21 Total: La Feuillee, Château de Collex, Coteau de Bossy, Coteau de Bourdigny, Rougemont, Coteau de Choully, Coteau de Dardagny, Coteau de Genthod, Coteau de Lully, Coteau de Piessy, Coteau de Peney, Coteau des Baillets, Cotes de Landecy, Côtes du Russin, Domaine de l’Abbaye, Mandement de Jussy, Coteau de Chevrens, Château du Crest, Coteau de Choulex, Coteau de la Vigne Blanche, Grand Carraz.

34
Q

What is AOC Grand Cru?

A

Awarded by an officially elected tasting panel, cuvée by cuvée, year by year. Grand Cru is awarded to the individual wines.

35
Q

What does AO stand for in Swiss wine regulations?

A

Appellations of origin that can be general or specific to a district.

36
Q

What is the total area of vineyards in Neuchâtel?

A

605ha total.

37
Q

What type of soils are found in Neuchâtel?

A

Limestone soils.

38
Q

What is the annual rainfall in Neuchâtel?

A

1100mm of rain each year.

39
Q

What lakes are located in Neuchâtel?

A

Neuchatel, Murten, Biel (Bienne).

40
Q

What are the subdivisions of Neuchâtel?

A

La Béroche, The Coast, Entre-deux-Lacs.

41
Q

What are the 4 AOCs in Neuchâtel?

A

Cheyres AOC, Lac de Bienne AOC, Neuchatel AOC (Chesselas & Pinot Noir), Vully AOC (shared with Freiburg Canton).

42
Q

What are the classes of Cantonal Regulations in Neuchâtel?

A

Class I: Appellation of origin. Class II: Appellation of place and production. Class III: No appellation, sold as ‘red’ or ‘white’ wine.

43
Q

What are the white grape varieties in Neuchâtel?

A

Chasselas, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer/Traminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Müller Thurgau.

44
Q

What are the red grape varieties in Neuchâtel?

A

Pinot Noir, Dunkelfeder, Galotta, Gamaret, Garanoir.

45
Q

What is Oeil-de-Perdrix?

A

A rosé of Pinot Noir that originated in Neuchâtel.

46
Q

What is Non Filtré?

A

100% Chasselas released on the third Wednesday in January, bottled without filtering the yeast.

47
Q

What is the La Gerle label of quality?

A

Introduced in 1985, awarded after examination and tasting by experts for quality wine made with Chasselas.

48
Q

What producers are notable in Neuchâtel?

A

Domaine Chambleau, Domaine de Vaudijon, Château d’Auvernier.

49
Q

What is the significance of German Switzerland?

A

Contains 17 wine producing Cantons and produces 17% of the country’s wine.

50
Q

What are the main rivers in German Switzerland?

A

Limmat, Aare, Rhine.

51
Q

What are the lakes in German Switzerland?

A

Constance/Bodensee, Zurich, Thun, Lucerne.

52
Q

What white grapes are grown in German Switzerland?

A

Müller Thurgau, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Rüschling.

53
Q

What red grape dominates German Switzerland?

A

Pinot Noir, comprising 60% of the vineyards.

54
Q

What is the main grape variety in Ticino?

A

Merlot, which dominates 80% of vineyards.

55
Q

What is the climate like in Ticino?

A

Mild Mediterranean climate with the highest rainfall in Switzerland, 1600mm annually.

56
Q

What are the AOC designations in Ticino?

A

AOC Tessin, Bianco del Ticino DOC, Rosato del Ticino DOC, Rosso del Ticino DOC, Nostrano del Ticino.

57
Q

What is the VITI Quality Label?

A

Introduced in 1948, awarded to Merlot after examination by a committee of experts.

Master Somm Prep (4 decks)

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