1
Q
What percentage of Alsace wine is released as ‘Grand Cru?’
A
4-5%
2
Q
What is the capital of Alsace?
A
Strasbourg
3
Q
Cremant d’Alsace was established in what year?
A
1976
4
Q
Name 2 AOPs of Lorraine:
A
Cotes de Toul AOP
Moselle AOP
5
Q
Name the 5 communes permitted to bottle Klevener de Heiligenstein.
A
Heiligenstein
Goxwiller
Gertwiller
Obernai
Bourgheim
6
Q
How many GC lieux-dits were added in what years, before Alsace switched from a Chablis-model to a Cote-d’Or-model in 2011?
A
1975 - 1
1983 - 24
1992 - 25
2007 - 1
(51 total GCs)
7
Q
This historic vineyard is the southernmost Alsace Grand Cru AOP:
A
Rangen (Thann & Vieux-Thann)
8
Q
The fossil limestone of Alsace:
A
Muschelkalk
9
Q
Throughout the middle ages, Alsace was a province of:
A
The Germanic Holy Roman Empire
10
Q
Alsace Grand Cru wines must not be released until ___________ the following year and must be bottled in a traditional __________.
A
June 1st; Flute d’Alsace
11
Q
Grapes for SGN are usually picked in ________ and suppress varietal character in return for the complexities of ___________.
A
Tries; Botrytis
12
Q
T/F: VT wines can be dry.
A
True
13
Q
VT may show botrytis character, but tend to emphasize varietal purity as they usually originate from vines in a state of _____________.
A
Passerillage
14
Q
Name 3 producers other than Albert Boxler who make an ‘Edelzwicker.’
A
Meyer-Fonne
Bott Freres
Leon Boesch
15
Q
Name 3 producers other than Hugel et Fils who make a ‘Gentil.’
A
Meyer-Fonne
Willm
Dme Klur
16
Q
Cremant d’Alsace is the only AOP permitted to use what grape?
A
Chardonnay
17
Q
Cremant d’Alsace Rose must be 100% this grape variety.
A
Pinot Noir (maceration or saignee only; no blending)
18
Q
T/F: VT & SGN may be printed on Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Cru AOP labels of wines containing 100% single, noble variety.
A
True
19
Q
In what year were VT & SGN designations decreed?
A
1984
20
Q
The largest Alsace GC and its size:
A
Schlossberg (Kientzheim) - 80 ha
21
Q
In what year was the number of actual Alsace Grand Cru AOPs increased from 1 to 51 as each lieu dit received its own appellation?
A
2011
22
Q
T/F: Hand-harvesting is mandatory for all GC vineyards, as well as VT & SGN.
A
True
23
Q
T/F: Alsace Grand Cru AOP wines are required by law to be single variety.
A
False (Altenberg de Bergheim & Kaefferkopf)
24
Q
France developed into a centralized state during which centuries?
A
15th & 16th centuries
25
Germany reclaimed Alsace along with Lorraine at the conclusion of this war in 1871.
Franco-Prussian war
26
This group held Alsace for a short period in the 1940s.
Nazi Germany
27
Many of Alsace's vineyards date back to this year - which also saw the beginning of the divergence of French & German winemaking styles where the French began fermenting to dryness.
1945
28
Generally the premier wines of Alsace originate in this departement - over 2/3 of Alsace's Grands Crus.
Haut-Rhin
29
This capital of the Haut-Rhin is the driest city in France.
Colmar
30
T/F: Alsace vines typically ripen with greater regularity than those of The Loire or northern Burgundy.
True (sunlight hours)
31
Noble grapes of Alsace.
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
32
Which clones of Muscat are found in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains
Muscat Rose a Petits Grains
Muscat Ottonel
33
Which clones of Muscat are found in Alsace?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains
Muscat Rose a Petits Grains
Muscat Ottonel
34
In Alsace AOP, even if bottled as a single variety, this wine may be called Pinot Blanc.
Auxerrois
35
What grapes can be bottled varietally as Grand Cru in Alsace?
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Sylvaner (Zotzenberg)
Pinot Noir (a/o 2022v)
36
Which 3 GCs may not bottle Muscat varietally?
Zotzenberg
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf
37
Alsace AOP wines labled simply "Pinot" may contain any amount of which four grapes?
Pinot Noir
Pinot Gris
Pinot Blanc
Auxerrois
38
Tokay d'Alsace AKA:
Pinot Gris
39
Traminer AKA _________ (in the Jura).
Savignan
40
Klevener de Heiligenstein AKA __________ (in the Jura).
Savignan Rose
41
Name the 2 pink clones of the traditional grape Traminer:
Gewurztraminer
Klevener de Heiligenstein
42
What is the difference between 'Klevner' and 'Klevener?'
Klevner = Pinot Blanc
Klevener = clone of Traminer found in Heiligenstein
43
A branch of Europe's most powerful dynasty, whose rivalry with France started the 'Thirty Years' War.'
Spanish Habsburg House
44
The only variety permitted in GC Kastelberg (Andlau).
Riesling
45
The year during the 'Thirty Years' War' when France seized most of Alsace to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Spanish Habsburgs.
1639.
46
Although famously not listed on the label, Trimbach's 'Clos Ste-Hune' riesling comes from which Alsace GC?
Rosacker (Hunawihr)
47
Soil type of Rangen (Thann & Vieux-Thann).
Volcanic
48
Which of the noble grapes is not permitted to be bottled as a single variety in either Altenberg de Bergheim or Kaefferkopf?
Muscat (max 10% of blends)
49
What is the ideal serving temp for Alsace GC wines?
45
50
Alsace GC AOP was first decreed in what year, with what sole named vineyard?
1975; Schlossberg (Kientzheim)
51
'Thirty Years' War' years:
1618-1648
52
What was the name for Alsace while it was a part of Germany?
Elsass
53
What four soil types of Alsace enhance the gunflint flavor/aroma of riesling?
Flint
Schist
Shale
Slate
54
What 3 departments are included in the 'Grand Est?'
Alsace
Lorraine
Champagne-Ardenne
55
Name 3 top producers of Schlossberg GC in Kientzheim?
Dme Weinbach
Albert Mann
Paul Blanck
56
Top 10 Alsace producers:
Trimbach
Weinbach
Albert Mann
Paul Blanck
Albert Boxler
Dme Ostertag
Marcel Deiss
Hugel et Fils
Lucien Albrecht
Zind-Humbrecht
57
Which 2 producers are famous for using 'Vins de Fruit' (single variety), 'Vins de Terroir' (field blends), and 'Vins de Temps' (late harvest wines)?
Marcel Deiss
Andre Ostertag
58
The deadline date for producers to declare vineyard(s) & grape(s) for GC wines.
March 1st
59
Which mutation is 'Muscat d'Alsace?'
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains
60
Training systems permitted for Alsace GC:
Single & Double Guyot
61
Minimum ABV requirements for Alsace GC:
Riesling, Muscat, Sylvaner - 11%
Pinot Gris, Gewurz - 12.5%
62
Minimum final blend ABV requirement for Kaefferkopf:
12%
63
What is 'Gentil?'
Blends w/ minimum 50% noble varieties (base wines must be vinified separately)
64
What is 'Edelzwicker?'
'Noble Mixture'
A cheap blend - can be MV, no definition for varietal %s, can be single-varietal
65
What percentage of wine in Alsace is white?
90%
(20% of total French whites)
66
Pinot Blanc AKA ____________.
Klevner
67
Varietally labeled Alsace AOP wines must be ____% that grape, with the exception of _________, which may be blended with __________.
100%
Pinot Blanc - Auxerrois
68
The German Emperor and King of Prussia, whose abdication in November 1918 ended WWI and gave Alsace-Lorraine total independence (for less than a month):
Kaiser Wilhelm II
69
This treaty concluded the 'Thirty Years' War' in 1648:
The Treaty of Westphalia
70
Soils of the steep Alsatian slopes:
Schist, granite, volcanic
71
Soils of the lower Alsatian slopes:
Limestone
72
Soils of the Alsatian plains at the foot of the Vosges:
Alluvial clay & gravel
73
Chasselas AKA ___________.
Gutedel
74
What was the last vineyard to receive GC status and on what date?
Kaefferkopf (Ammerschwihr)
Jan 12, 2007
75
Which 2 Alsace Grands Crus may blend according to certain mandated proportions and a/o what dates?
Altenberg de Bergheim
Mar 21, 2005
Kaefferkopf (Ammerschwihr)
Jan 12, 2007
76
Local pink sandstone substoil of Alsace and its makeup:
Gres de Vosges (quartz & feldspar)
77
The last major French region to gain AOC status and in what year?
Alsace - 1962
78
Alsace AOP max yield? Alsace Grand Cru AOP?
70 hl/ha
55 hl/ha
(w/ PLC 10%)
79
The 'Grand Est' region is made up of which three departements?
Alsace
Lorraine
Champagne-Ardenne
80
The 2 principal viticultural hazards of Alsace:
Soil erosion
Drought
81
By the year 1000, how many Alsatian villages were growing grapes, vs how many today?
160 vs. 118 today
82
Which GC vineyard is permitted to varietally bottle a non-noble variety as a historical site for this grape and what date?
Zotzenberg - Sylvaner
a/o Mar 21, 2005
83
What varieties and percentages are permitted in Kaefferkopf GC blends?
Gewurztraminer: 60-80%
Riesling: 10-40%
Pinot Gris: max 30%
Muscat: max 10%
84
Name 3 producers of Cremant d'Alsace not named Lucien Albrecht:
Albert Boxler
Albert Mann
Arthur Metz
85
Heavy clay and marl give wine more:
More body, weight, broader flavors
86
Which GC is permitted for Riesling ONLY?
Kastelberg (Andlau)
87
What is the most common variety for VT?
Gewurztraminer
88
What is the rarest variety for VT?
Muscat
89
What vineyard does Leon Beyer's Riesling "Cuvee Particuliere" come from?
Pfersigberg (Eguisheim & Wettolsheim)
90
Name 3 producers who make a GC Kaefferkopf blend:
*Jean-Baptiste Adam
Dme Geschickt
Maurice Schoeck
91
Alsace average growing season temp?
60
92
Alsace average growing season rainfall?
15"
93
Soils of Muenchberg (Nothalten):
Pebbly volcanic sandstone
94
Soils of Altenberg de Bergheim:
Calcareous clay
95
Soils of Schlossberg (Kientzheim):
Granite
96
Soils of Pfingstberg (Orschwihr):
Calcareous-marl & clayey-sandstone
97
Soils of Rosacker (Hunawihr):
Dolomitic limestone - rich in magnesium
98
What does 'foehn' refer to?
'Foehn' winds are dry, warm, downslope winds of a rain-shadow mountain slope
99
Alsace Grand Cru AOP maximum yields:
55 hl/ha
100
Muscat is NOT authorized for varietal wines in which 3 GCs?
Zotzenberg (Mittelbergheim)
Altenberg de Bergheim
Kaefferkopf (Ammerschwihr)
101
Alsace varietal plantings percentage breakdown:
Riesling - 22%
Pinot Blanc - 21%
Gewurztraminer - 20%
Pinot Gris - 15%
Pinot Noir - 10%
Sylvaner - 7.5%
Muscat - 2%
102
Franco-Prussian war years:
1870-1871
103
The smallest Alsace Grand Cru & its size:
Kanzlerberg (Bergheim) - 3ha
104
Other than the 4 noble grapes which grapes are permitted to be bottled varietally in Alsace AOP?
Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Auxerrois
Chasselas (Gutedel)
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
105
What is the 'workhorse' of Cremant d'Alsace and what other varieties are permitted?
Pinot Blanc
Riesling
Auxerrois
Pinot Gris
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
106
Name the 2 GCs permitted for Pinot Noir production since the 2022 vintage:
Hengst (Wintzenheim)
Kirchberg de Barr
107
Min must weights for Alsace GC:
Riesling, Muscat, Sylvaner - 168 g/L
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer - 193 g/L
108
Which Alsace GC is the only outlier to the minimum ABV and must weights requirements and what are they?
Altenberg de Bergheim:
Riesling - 12% | 185 g/L
Pinot Gris & Gewurz - 14% | 218 g/L
Final Blend - 14%
109
What varieties & percentages are permitted in GC Altenberg de Bergheim blends?
Riesling: 50-70%
Pinot Gris: 10-25%
Gewurztraminer: 10-25%
Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Muscat, Chasselas: total max 10%
110
More limestone & sandy soils give wine more:
Elegance & finesse
111
What is "PLC?"
'Plafond Limite de Classement'
A maximum-yield variable in an appellation - regularly increased by up to 20%
112
Minimum must weights for VT & SGN:
VT | SGN (g/L):
Riesling & Muscat: 244 - 276
Gewurz & PG: 270 - 306
113
Pioneer of lower yields in the 1970's:
Leonard Humbrecht
114
Name 3 producers making GC Pinot Noir in Hengst or Kirchberg de Barr:
Albert Mann (cuvee H)
Leipp Leininger
Vincent Stoeffler
115
Name the 5 high quality lieux-dits of GC Brand:
Steinglitz
Schneckenberg
Kirchtal
Weingarten
Jebsal
116
Name a producer/bottling of GC Eichberg:
Leon Beyer
(Riesling/Gewurztraminer)
'Cuvee des Comtes d'Eguisheim'
117
This GC's rieslings have been well-documented since 1308:
Geisberg (Ribeauville)
118
Top producer for GC Hengst Gewurztraminer:
Josmeyer
119
One of the top sites of Guebwiller (along w/ Kitterle) though NOT classified:
Wanne
120
Name a producer who makes a riesling from Wanne vineyard:
Dirler-Cade
121
This GC has been well-documented since 783, when it was known as 'Sigolttesberg:'
Mambourg (Sigolsheim)
122
This GC claims the warmest vineyards in Alsace:
Mambourg (Sigolsheim)
123
This GC's name means "almond tree hill:"
Mandelberg (Mittelwihr & Beblenheim)
124
This GC's name means "monk's hill:"
Moenchberg (Andlau & Eichhoffen)
125
900m peak above Muenchberg (Nothalten):
Undersberg (Vosges)
126
Where do the grapes come from for Trimbach's Riesling 'Cuvee Frederic Emile?'
Geisberg & Osterberg (both Ribeauville)
127
Leon Beyer's 'Cuvee Particuliere' is 100% from what GC site?
Pfersigberg (Eguisheim & Wettolsheim)
128
In which town was it written that Hercules left his club behind, having been so embarrassed from drinking too much wine (club is on Colmar coat of arms)?
Rangen (Thann & Vieux-Thann)
129
The finest riesling in Alsace:
Trimbach Clos Ste-Hune
130
(Paul Blanck/Dme Weinbach) produces a Schlossberg riesling in a more classic, restrained style.
Paul Blanck
131
(Paul Blanck/Dme Weinbach) produces a Schlossberg riesling with more exuberant fruit.
Dme Weinbach
132
What cooperative produces 'Pinot Blanc Schneckenberg' and from what GC vineyard?
Pfaffenheim cooperative; Steinert
133
This GC translates to "block of stone."
Steinklotz (Marlenheim)
134
Name 2 GCs known particularly for Muscat:
Kirchberg de Ribeauville
Froehn (Zellenberg)
135
Name 5 GCs known particularly for Pinot Gris:
Gloeckelberg (Rodern & St-Hippolyte)
Sonnenglanz (Beblenheim)
Sporen (Riquewihr)
Steingrubler (Wettolsheim)
Steinert (Pfaffenheim)
136
Name 2 Bas-Rhin GCs known for Gewurztraminer:
Altenberg de Bergbieten
Winzenberg (Blienschwiller)
137
Name 10 Haut-Rhin GCs known for Gewurztraminer:
Altenberg de Bergheim
Sonnenglanz (Beblenheim)
Sporen (Riquewihr)
Marckrain (Bennwihr & Sigolsheim)
Hengst (Wintzenheim)
Pfersigberg (Eguisheim & Wettolsheim)
Eichberg (Eguisheim)
Hatschbourg (Hattstatt & Voegtlinshoffen)
Goldert (Gueberschwihr)
Kessler (Guebwiller)
138
Name 4 Alsace GCs known for Pinot Noir:
Steinklotz (Marlenheim)
Kirchberg de Barr
Hengst (Wintzenheim)
Vorbourg (Rouffach & Westhalten)
139
How many geographic designations are in Alsace Communale AOC?
12
140
Name the 12 designations of Alsace Communale AOC
Berheim
Blienschwiller
Coteaux du Haut Koenigsbourg
Cotes de Barr
Cote de Rouffach
Klevener de Heiligenstein
Ottrott
Rodern
St-Hippolyte
Scherwiller
Val St-Gregoire
Vallee Noble
141
Which 3 Alsace Communale AOC designations permit red wines only?
Ottrott
Rodern
St-Hippolyte
142
Which is the only Alsace Communale AOC designation to permit both red and white wine?
Cote de Rouffach
143
What was the world's first biodynamic vineyard and in what year was it Demeter certified?
Dme Eugene Meyer (Bergholtz) - 1969
144
What was the world's second Demeter certified biodynamic vineyard?
Jean-Pierre Frick (Pfaffenheim) - 1980
145
In the 9th century, Roman poet Ermoldus Nigellus from Aquitaine compared the wines of ___________ to those of Falernum.
Sigolsheim (includes modern-day Mambourg GC)
146
Great Alsace vintages:
59, 61
69, 71
75, 83, 90
147
What was 1999 like in Alsace?
A very wet vintage; rain, rot & mildew
148
What was 2003 like in Alsace?
Hot; winemakers permitted to acidify
149
What was 2004 like in Alsace?
Wet
150
What happened in 2013 in Alsace?
Rain at harvest
151
What was 2014 like in Alsace?
Cool vintage; higher acid
152
What happened in 2017 & 2019 in Alsace?
Spring frosts
153
What was 2018 like in Alsace?
Warm; softer acidities
154
What was 2021 like in Alsace?
Spring frosts followed by heavy rains in May, June, July - mildew
155
What is the principal style of wine made in Cotes de Toul AOP in Lorraine?
Vin Gris pale rose from gamay & pinot noir
85% individual maximum
Both required
10% minimum pinot noir
156
What are the accessory varieties to Cotes de Toul AOP Vin Gris?
Maximum 15% combined:
Pinot meunier
Aubin
Auxerrois
157
What grapes are permitted in Cotes de Toul AOP Blanc?
Auxerrois & aubin
158
Cotes de Toul AOP Rouge is 100% what variety?
Pinot noir
159
Grapes permitted in Moselle AOP in Lorraine:
Auxerrois
Muller-Thurgau
Pinot gris
Pinot blanc
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot noir
Gamay
160
What is Moselle AOP Blanc made up of?
Min. 50% Auxerrois
Min. 70% combined:
Auxerrois, muller-thurgau, pinot gris
Accessory varieties:
Pinot blanc, riesling, max. 10% gewurztraminer
161
Which grapes are permitted to be labeled varietally in Moselle AOP?
Pinot gris & muller-thurgau
162
What is Moselle AOP Rouge?
100% pinot noir
163
What is Moselle AOP Rose?
Min. 70% pinot noir, gamay
164
What winemaking practice in Moselle AOP is mandatory for roses?
De-stemming and maceration of red grapes for 24-48 hours
165
T/F: Moselle AOP roses may be made via saignee.
False, maceration of 24-48 hours mandatory
166
By 1985 only 3 ha of vineyards remained in Moselle due to what?
Phylloxera
167
Gamay is limited by law to maximum ___% planted surface area in Moselle.
30%
168
What happened in 1991 in Alsace?
Rain at harvest
A-CMS
flashcards
Decks in class (17)
# Cards
-
Top Bottlings22
-
Jura, Savoie, Bugey90
-
Alsace168
-
Chablis137
-
Cote d'Or (General)209
-
Cote de Nuits192
-
Cote de Beaune251
-
Southern Burgundy155
-
Northern Rhone123
-
Southern Rhone113
-
Provence & Corsica78
-
Languedoc & Roussillon178
-
Southwest France59
-
Bordeaux495
-
1855 Classification (Orig.)77
-
Tony Questions31
-
Loire Valley17
