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Wines of France > WSET3 Alsace (Chapter 17) > Flashcards

WSET3 Alsace (Chapter 17) Flashcards

Learn Wines of France's Alsace to the advanced "WSET-3 award" level, a qualification for professionals working in the wine industry. Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is generally regarded as the world's leading provider of wine education.

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1
Q

What is the climate of Alsace?

A

Cool to moderate continental

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2
Q

What is a potential climatic threat to the region of Alsace?

A

Prevailing westerly rain-bearing winds

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3
Q

How is Alsace protected from the westerly winds?

A

By the Vosges Mountains

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4
Q

What is the rainfall like in Alsace? Explain this

A

Summers and autumns are warm and dry
There is very little cloud cover
The region is protected by the Vosges Mountains

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5
Q

What is the result on wines of the dry climate in Alsace?

A

Grapes can achieve high levels of sugar ripeness

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6
Q

What is a relatively unique climatic phenomenon in Alsace?

A

Occasional drought

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7
Q

Where are the best vineyards of Alsace located?

A

On the steepest slopes with east and south east aspects

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8
Q

Describe the northerly part of the Alsace vineyard area

A

It has the coolest climate and the least protection from the Vosges

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9
Q

Where are the lesser vineyards of Alsace?

A

On the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine

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10
Q

What is the main use of grapes from the lesser vineyards of Alsace?

A

In Crémant d’Alsace

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11
Q

What is the soil like in the vineyards of the foothills of Alsace?

A

Very varied

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12
Q

Why is there so much soil variation in parts of Alsace?

A

It has experienced a dramatic geological history

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13
Q

What is the key factor in why there is so much variety in style in Alsace?

A

The geological variation

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14
Q

Grape growing practices in Alsace, vary depending on…

A

Whether the vineyards are on slopes or on the plain

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15
Q

Describe Alsatian vineyard practices on slopes

A

They are trained low to benefit from radiated heat
Rows are oriented to maximise the vines’ exposure to the sun
Harvesting is done by hand

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16
Q

Describe Alsatian vineyard practices on the plains

A

Vines are trained high to minimise the risk of Spring frosts

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17
Q

What kind of viticulture is commonly practiced in Alsace?

A

Organic and Biodynamic

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18
Q

Why are Organic and Biodynamic viticulture popular in Alsace?

A

Low disease pressure in the sunny, dry conditions

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19
Q

What is the key logistical challenge faced by growers in Alsace?

A

Because they have a number of small plots of vines, each planted with different varieties, they will ripen at different times, therefore the vintage may be spread over a long period

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20
Q

Between which months does the Alsatian harvest usually last?

A

September - November/December

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21
Q

What are the most important/noble varieties of Alsace?

A

Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat

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22
Q

Which varieties may be used for VT, grand cru and SGN wines in Alsace?

A

The noble varieties only

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23
Q

The vast majority of Alsace wines are made from…

A

Single varieties

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24
Q

What are Alsatian blended varieties usually made from?

A

Juice that was not selected for varietal wines

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25
Q

What does it mean when an Alsatian wine is labelled Edelzwicker or Gentil? How else may this be labelled?

A

A blended wine

A producer’s brand name

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26
Q

Are all Alsatian blends of a basic quality?

A

No, some are very high quality, even being made from grand cru vineyards, but these are very rare

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27
Q

Why is winemaking in Alsace so focused on retaining aroma/varietal character?

A

Most of the varieties are aromatic

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28
Q

How do traditional Alsatian winemakers typically ferment their wines?

A

In large old oak barrels, typically more than 100 years old

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29
Q

What is notable about the old oak barrels sometimes used in Alsace?

A

The inside is lines with a thick layer of Tartrates

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30
Q

What is the effect of the tartrate deposits lining the inside of Alsatian barrels?

A

It prevents the wood from having any influence on the wine

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31
Q

What kind of vessel is used for modern fermentation in Alsace? What is the benefit of this?

A

Stainless steel

They facilitate the control of temperature at fermentation

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32
Q

Which winemaking practice is generally avoided in Alsace? Why?

A

MLF

It would mask the pure fruit flavours

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33
Q

When does bottling usually take place in Alsace? Why?

A

In the spring following the vintage

The wine is still young and fresh

34
Q

Can Alsace wines be bottle-aged?

A

Many of them can, yes

35
Q

What are the predominant sugar levels in Alsace wines?

A

Most are dry (with the exception of VT and SGN wines), but recently more and more - particularly grand cru wines - are being made with noticeable levels of sweetness

36
Q

What is the problem with the increasing levels of sweetness in Alsace?

A

There is no official system for indicating sweetness levels

37
Q

Describe the sweetness levels of VT wines in Alsace

A

They can range from dry to medium-sweet

38
Q

Describe sugar levels in SGN wines

A

They are always sweet, though the influence of noble rot can vary from wine to wine

39
Q

What is the most widely planted of the noble varieties in Alsace?

A

Riesling

40
Q

Describe the flavour profile of the best Rieslings in Alsace

A 
Medium to full-bodied
Dry
Medium alcohol
High acidity
Citrus and stone fruit
Pronounced steely/stony character
41
Q

Contrary to its traditional style, many Alsace Rieslings are now being made with…

A

Some residual sugar

42
Q

How do Alsace Rieslings typically differ from their German counterparts?

A

They don’t typically shoe as much floral character

43
Q

What aromas are typical from an Alsace Gewurztraminer?

A

Lychees
Roses
Sweet baking spices

44
Q

Describe the appearance of the Gewurztraminer grape and its effect on the wine

A

The skin has a light pink tinge, giving a golden colour to some of the wines

45
Q

Give the profile of Gewurztraminer wines

A

Full-bodied
Oily texture
High alcohol (14% is not uncommon)
Low to medium acidity

46
Q

What is the profile of Alsace Pinot Gris?

A

Full-bodied and rich
High alcohol
More acidity than Gewurztraminer
Similar colour to Gewurztraminer but less aromatic
Pronounced flavour of fresh and dried fruits and a honeyed character

47
Q

Which Muscat grape provides the best quality of the three in Alsace?

A

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

48
Q

What is the flavour profile of MBAPG in Alsace?

A

Light to medium body
Low to medium acidity
Intensely aromatic
Orange blossom, Rose and Grape flavours

49
Q

What is the viticultural hazard associated with growing MBAPG in Alsace?

A

It is prone to poor fruit set and rot

50
Q

What is used as a more reliable alternative to MBAPG in Alsace? How does it compare with the former?

A

Muscat

Less aromatic

51
Q

Give the most widely planted non-noble variety in Alsace

A

Pinot Blanc

52
Q

On what kind of land is Pinot Blanc planted in Alsace?

A

In the more fertile soils of the plains

53
Q

What is Pinot Blanc most commonly used for in Alsace?

A

Sparkling wine

54
Q

Roughly describe still wines of Pinot Blanc in Alsace

A

Light, simple, refreshing and non-aromatic

55
Q

Which Alsace grape is similar to Pinot Blanc but slightly spicier and more full-bodied?

A

Auxerrois

56
Q

What is sometimes blended with Pinot Blanc in Alsace?

A

Auxerrois

57
Q

Which Alsace grape variety used to be widely planted, but is making way for noble varieties?

A

Sylvaner

58
Q

Roughly describe Sylvaner wines from Alsace

A

Delicately perfumed
Some richness (but less than Gewurztraminer)
Best drunk young

59
Q

What is the only black variety permitted in Alsace?

A

Pinot Noir

60
Q

Describe Alsace Pinot Noir

A

They lack the weight and concentration of Burgundy Pinot Noir
At their best, a light, fruity red/rosé

61
Q

How do winemakers in Alsace sometimes force more concentrated flavours in Pinot Noir-based wines?

A

With new oak flavours

62
Q

How many appellations are there in Alsace?

A

2

63
Q

What are the principal appellations of Alsace?

A

Alsace

Alsace Grand Cru

64
Q

What are the two other classifications in Alsace?

A

Vendanges Tardives

Sélection de Grains Nobles

65
Q

What dictates the classifications VT and SGN?

A

Sugar ripeness

66
Q

Which Alsace appellation can apply to use VT/SGN?

A

Both

67
Q

How do producers in Alsace differentiate between the qualities of their wines?

A

With terms like Réserve personelle and Cuvée spéciale (these terms have no legal status)

68
Q

Which appellation accounts for the majority of Alsace’s production?

A

Alsace

69
Q

What is the status of single variety wines within the Alsace appellation?

A

Most Alsace wines are single variety

70
Q

What is key about the single variety wines of Alsace?

A

They are varietally labelled

71
Q

What must apply if a wine is varietally labelled?

A

100% of grapes must be from that variety

72
Q

Can villages be named on Alsace appellation wines?

A

Yes, some villages can for certain styles of wine, but this is rare

73
Q

How many vineyards in Alsace have their own Grand Cru appellation?

A

Over fifty

74
Q

What are the main rules applying to Alsace grand cru wines?

A

They must be produced from a single noble variety (with some exceptions)
The label must state vineyard, vintage and grape variety (where appropriate)

75
Q

What is the controversy surrounding the grand cru appellation in Alsace?

A

Many producers believe the appellations to be too large and encompass land not worthy of the title

76
Q

What is the meaning of Vendanges Tardives?

A

Late harvest

77
Q

How may a wine qualify for Vendanges Tardives?

A

It must be made from a noble variety

It must have a specific minimum sugar ripeness depending on variety

78
Q

How are the best VT wines of Alsace vinified?

A

They will have undergone passerillage

There may be some influence of noble rot

79
Q

What are the principal rules applying to a wine being SGN?

A

Must be from a noble variety

Must have a minimum sugar ripeness depending on variety (higher than those of VT wines)

80
Q

How are the higher necessary sugar ripeness levels required in SGN wines achieved?

A

Usually by noble rot

81
Q

How often are SGN wines produced in Alsace? How much of it?

A

Not every year

In small quantities

Wines of France (18 decks)

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