Week 1a: Alsace Ottrot

Question 1

Describe Alsatian wine.

Answer 1

White
High quality
Fruit driven
Still

Question 2

How are Alsation wines labelled?

Answer 2

By variety

Question 3

Percentage of white wine production in Alsace

Answer 3

90%

Question 4

Climate of Alsace?

Answer 4

One of the driest, sunniest in all of France

Question 5

Mountain range that gives the rain shadow to Alsace?

Answer 5

Vosges Mountains

Question 6

When was AOP status given to Alsace

Answer 6

1962

Question 7

Premier grape of Alsace?

Answer 7

Riesling, followed by the other 3 noble varieties

Question 8

Primary / Noble Alsatian grape varieties?

Answer 8

Riesling
Gewürz
Pinot Gris
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Question 9

Maximum RS allowed in Riesling in Alsace?

Answer 9

9 g/l with some exceptions

Question 10

Synononym for Pinot Blanc.

Answer 10

Klevner

Question 11

Synonym for Chasselas.

Answer 11

Gutedel

Question 12

Secondary Alsatian grapes.

Answer 12

1. Sylvaner
2. Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
3. Auxerrois
4. Chasselas
5. Pinot Noir

Question 13

Minimum alcohol level for Riesling Grand Cru wine.

Answer 13

11%

Question 14

Minimum abv level for Muscat Grand Cru wine.

Answer 14

11%

Question 15

Minimum abv level for Pinot Gris Grand Cru wine.

Answer 15

12.5%

Question 16

Minimum alcohol level for Gewürz Grand Cru wine.

Answer 16

12.5%

Question 17

Describe Vendange Tardives (VT) wines.

Answer 17

“Late Harvest”
Single varietal from noble grapes
Hand harvested
Usually some NR characteristics implying sweetness
RS levels vary

Question 18

Describe Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN) wines.

Answer 18

Single varietal from noble grapes
Hand harvest, multiple tries
Always dessert-like in practice

Question 19

Labelling requirement changes in Alsace in 2021?

Answer 19

All bottles must use:
* Sec
* Demi-sec
* Moelleux
* Doux
to show sweetness levels.

(or visual indicators)

Question 20

13 sub zones that can add their name to the Alsace AOC label. Name as many as you can.

Answer 20

1. Ottrott (Otter)
2. Rodern (Rodent)
3. Saint-Hippolyte (Hippo)
4. Bergheim
5. Côtes de Barr
6. Blienschwiller
7. Klevener de Heiligstein (Savagnin Rose)
8. Vallée Noble
9. Val Saint Gregoire
10. Coteaux du Haut Koenigsbourg
11. Wolxheim
12. Cote de Rouffach

Question 21

Great vintages in Alsace. Name as many as you can.

Answer 21

1998 - bought house
2009

Question 22

Meat pairing with Alsatian Riesling.

Answer 22

Choucroute garnie.

Question 23

Food pairing with Alsatian Pinot Gris VT or SSGN.

Answer 23

Foie Gras torchon (esp VT or SSGN)

Question 24

Vegetable pairing with Alsatian Muscat.

Answer 24

Steamed asparagus