WSET Diploma Alsace Flashcards
What are the key characteristics of Alsatian Pinot Gris?
Full bodied
High in alcohol
Medium acidity
Spicy, smoky qualities.
In Alsace, what are the typical soil types found in:
- Steeper slopes. (3)
- Lower slopes. (1)
- Flatter plains. (2)
- Schist, granite, volcanic sediment.
- Limestone.
- Alluvial clay, gravel.
Where does Marcel Deiss produce wine and what is he known for?
Alsace.
Known for advocating field blends as the best approach for serious wines and for representing Alsatian terroir.
What are “Trives Successives”?
Harvesting in successive passes of the vineyard, picking the ripest berries/those affected by Botrytis each time.
What is the capital of the Haut-Rhin Department?
Colmar
What are the 4 grapes permitted in Grand Cru Alsace wines?
-Riesling -Muscat -Gewurtztraminer -Pinot Gris
Alsace Grand Cru wines are produced only from the Noble Varieties and are single-variety wines.
What are the 3 exceptions and what is different about them?
Altenberg de Bergheim and Kaefferkopf may blend varieties.
Zotzenberg is a historical site for Sylvaner.
What are Alsatian synonyms for:
Pinot Blanc
Chassenas
Pinot Blanc = Klevner
Chassenas = Gutedel
Which major region was the last to receive AOC status in France?
Alsace
In which wine region can the town of Riquewihr be found?
Alsace
Which is the only red grape permitted in Alsace?
Pinot Noir
Alsatian Grand Cru vineyards can only produce Grand Cru wines.
True or False?
False.
What labeling device does the Alsatian producer Zind-Humbrecht use to help guide consumers?
A Sweetness Index that indicates the level of residual sugar.
Wines range from 1 (Least sweet, most dry) to 5 (Sweetest)
What does ‘Vendages Tardives’ (VT) mean?
Late harvest. May be affected by Botrytis. Rich, full-bodied but not always sweet.
What is the climate in Alsace?
What factors contribute to its climate?
Cool Continental due to northerly latitude.
Dry, Sunny Summers due to rain shadow from Vosges.
One of the driest regions in France
What characteristics do VT wines and SGN wines emphasize?
Vendanges Tardives wines emphasize varietal purity over Botrytis flavors.
SGN wines supress varietal characteristics in favor of Botrytis complexities.
Who produces this wine?
Domaine Weinbach.
How do Alsatian rieslings compare to German reislings?
Alsatian rieslings are characteristically dry, more powerful and higher in alcohol, with pronounced acidity and minerality.
How many Grand Cru vineyards are in Alsace?
51
All Alsace AOP wines are required to be bottled in what traditional bottle?
Flûte d’Alsace
What year was the first Alsace Grand Cru status given and what is the vineyard?
1975
Schlossberg