Alsace

Question 1

In Alsace, if the grape variety is mentioned on the label, how much of that grape variety must be in the bottled wine?

Answer 1

100%

Question 1

What are the names of the traditional bottles in which Alsace AOP wines must be bottled?

Answer 1

“Vin du Rhin” / “Flûte d’Alsace”

Question 2

What is the main appellation of Alsace?

Answer 2

Alsace AOP / Vin d’Alsace AOP

Question 3

What is the AOP used for the Grand Crus of Alsace?

Answer 3

Grand Cru Alsace AOP

Question 4

How many Grand Crus are there in Alsace?

Answer 4

51

Question 5

Name 4 important Grand Cru vineyards in Alsace.

Answer 5

1. Schlossberg
2. Brand
3. Goldert
4. Hengst

Question 6

Traditionally, what are the four grape varieties allowed for Alsace Grand Cru AOP?

Answer 6

1. Riesling
2. Pinot Gris
3. Gewurztraminer
4. Muscat

Question 7

What are the 3 exceptions to the Alsace Grand Cru AOP grape variety rule?

Answer 7

1. One of the Grand Crus uses Sylvaner
2. Two of them allow blending
3. Two allow red wine*

*As of the 2022 vintage

Question 8

In Alsace, what is the AOP used for traditional method sparkling
wine?

Answer 8

Crémant d’Alsace AOP

Question 9

In Alsace, what is Edelzwicker?

Answer 9

• Meaning “noble mixture,” Edelzwicker usually indicates its own inverse: an inexpensive blended wine.
• Alsace AOP wines labeled Edelzwicker do not need to be vintage-dated, nor are they even legally obligated to contain more than one grape.
• In practice, they are blends and do not need to indicate any percentages or grapes on the label.

Question 10

In Alsace, what does Gentil mean?

Answer 10

• The unofficial term ‘gentil’ is a superior designation for blends that contain a minimum of 50% noble grapes.
• Any other Alsace AOP grape may compose the remainder, and the base wines must be vinified separately.

Question 11

What are the 2 terms Alsace uses for late harvested wines?

Answer 11

1. Vendange Tardive (VT)
2. Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN)

Question 12

What is the difference between VT and SGN from a botrytis perspective?

Answer 12

• VTs may be affected by botrytis (they are late harvest, rich, full-bodied, not always sweet).
• SGNs are always affected by botrytis (made in small quantities, only in top vintages).

Question 13

List 6 Alsatian producers you need to know for the exam.

Answer 13

1. Trimbach
2. Domaine Weinbach
3. Marcel Deiss
4. Hugel et Fils
5. Pierre Sparr
6. Zind-Humbrecht

Question 14

What are the 2 natural borders of Alsace?

Answer 14

1. Eastern border: Rhine River
2. Western border: Vosges Mountains

Question 15

Fill in the blanks.

Alsace is split into 2 départements, the ____-Rhin in the north and the ____-Rhin in the south.

Answer 15

• North: Bas-Rhin
• South: Haut-Rhin

Question 16

Differences between the Bas-Rhin and the Haut-Rhin include:

Answer 16

Bas-Rhin

• lower elevation
• not as protected by the Vosges, so fewer good vineyards

Haut-Rhin

• higher elevation
• more protection by the Vosges, so the best vineyards

Question 17

What is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 17

Cool continental

Question 18

Fill in the blanks.

Climatically, Alsace is one of the _____est and _____est regions in France.

Why?

Answer 18

Sunniest and driest due to the rain shadow caused by the Vosges Mountains.

Question 19

Are Alsace’s vineyards planted on the flat banks of the Rhine River or on the hillsides of the Vosges Mountains?

Answer 19

Hillsides of the Vosges Mountains

Question 20

What are the soils of Alsace?

Answer 20

Incredibly varied and layered, kind of like a Dagwood sandwich.

Soils include:

• volcanic
• clay
• granite
• gneiss
• marl
• limestone
• sandstone
• schist

Question 21

What is the growing season like in Alsace, and what causes it?

Answer 21

Long, dry, sunny and temperate caused by the rain shadow by the Vosges Mountains.

Question 22

Where are the best vineyards in Alsace planted?

Answer 22

In the Haut-Rhin on lower slopes facing east/southeast.

Question 23

What effects on climate and viticulture does a rain shadow cause?

Answer 23

• Dry climate
• Sunny climate (tho not necessarily a warmer one)
• Longer growing season
• Riper grapes
• Higher potential alcohol
• Richer, fuller bodied wines

Question 24

Crémant d'Alsace is usually a blend of grapes or made from a single varietal?

Answer 24

Blend of grapes

Question 25

Name classic food pairings that go with Alsatian wines.

Answer 25

* Choucroute * Flammkuchen (tarte flambée) * Baeckeoffe (casserole of meat, onions and potatoes) * Rich, smoky cured meats such as bacon and sausages