Alsace

Question 1

• On what sort of land in Alsace is Pinot Blanc grown?

- For what is it widely used?

Answer 1

• Flat, fertile plains

- Sparkling wines

Question 2

What are 3 less-planted white varieties in Alsace?

Answer 2

• Pinot Blanc
• Auxerrois
• Sylvaner

Question 3

What is the only black variety permitted in Alsace?

Answer 3

Pinot Noir in a light and fruity style

Question 4

Why is the less aromatic variety Muscat Ottonel planted more widely than Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains?

Answer 4

It can be relied on to crop more regularly

Question 5

Which Alsatian variety:

• Intensely aromatic
• Orange blossom, rose, grape
• Light-Medium body
• Low-Medium acidity
• Prone to poor fruit set and rot

Answer 5

Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains

Question 6

Which 2 varieties of Muscat are grown in Alsace?

Answer 6

• Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains

- Muscat Ottonel

Question 7

Which Alsatian variety:

• Rich, full body
• High alcohol
• Medium-high acidity
• Rich texture
• Pronounced intensity
• Fresh and dried fruits
• Honey

Answer 7

Pinot Gris

Question 8

Which Alsatian variety:

• Pungent aromatic spice
• Lychee, rose, sweet baking spices
• Light pink tinge to skin
• Golden colour
• Full body
• Oily, rich texture
• Low-medium acidity
• High alcohol

Answer 8

Gewürztraminer

Question 9

Which Alsatian wine:

• Medium-full body
• Dry
• Medium alcohol
• High acidity
• Citrus and stone fruit
• Stone and steel character
• Less floral than in Germany

Answer 9

Riesling

Question 10

What is the most widely planted Alsatian variety?

Answer 10

Riesling

Question 11

• In what style are SGN wines always made?

- What varies from bottle to bottle?

Answer 11

• Sweet

- Extent of the influence of noble rot

Question 12

In what style can VTs be made?

Answer 12

Dry-medium sweet

Question 13

What has the recent trend towards wines with some sweetness at Grand Cru level presented as a problem?

Answer 13

The fact that Alsace has no official labelling scheme to indicate sweetness so consumers do not know what style they are buying

Question 14

When does bottling usually occur in Alsace?

Answer 14

The spring after the harvest, when the wine is still fresh

Question 15

• What do traditional Alsace producers ferment their wines in?
• What effect does this have on the wine?
• What else might be used?

Answer 15

• 100+ year old large oak barrels
• Thick tartrate deposit prevents wood or oxygen having any effect
• Stainless steel temperature controlled tanks

Question 16

Is MLF permitted to happen in Alsace?

Answer 16

Mostly not, but some producers choose to allow it

Question 17

Can a blended Alsatian wine be high quality?

Answer 17

Yes, as they can come from Grand Cru sites, but this is very rare indeed

Question 18

What 2 terms would indicate a blended, inexpensive Alsatian wine?

Answer 18

1) Edelzwicker

2) Gentil

Question 19

Many Alsace growers have a number of small plots, planted with different varieties.

Why is this a logistical challenge?

(2 points)

Answer 19

The grapes ripen at different times, meaning:

1) The harvest is spread from September to November or even beginning of December for VT or SGN wines
2) It is labour intensive as several rounds of picking are required

Question 20

• What method of viticulture are practised in Alsace?

- Why is it possible there?

Answer 20

• Organic and biodynamic

- Low disease pressure due to dry and sunny conditions

Question 21

How are grapes in Alsace grown on:

1) The slopes (3 points)
2) The plain

Answer 21

1) - Vines trained low for radiated heat
- Rows oriented towards the sun
- Hand-harvested

2) Vines trained high to minimise frost risk

Question 22

What is the soil type of Alsace?

Answer 22

Extremely varied: it has a dramatic geological history, and a clear influence on wine production.

Question 23

• Where are the lesser vineyards in Alsace?

- What is grown there?

Answer 23

• On the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine

- Grapes for Crémant d’Alsace

Question 24

Where are the best vineyard sites in Alsace?

Answer 24

Middle of steep slopes with south- and south-east aspects

Question 25

What is an issue in Alsace in dry years?

Answer 25

Drought

Question 26

- Alsace lies in the rain shadow of which mountains? | - What other effect do they have on the climate?

Answer 26

- The Vosges Mountains | - The lack of clouds leads to sunny summers and dry autumns

Question 27

What is the climate of Alsace?

Answer 27

Cool-moderate continental

Question 28

- Which 2 regulations are shared by SGN and VT? | - What 3 things are different for SGN?

Answer 28

1) - Must have a minimum level of sugar ripeness - Must be from a single noble variety 2) - Higher minimum sugar levels than for VT - Almost always affected by noble rot - Not produced annually, and only ever in small quantities

Question 29

In the best Vendanges Tardives, what will the grapes have undergone? (2 points)

Answer 29

1) Passerillage | 2) Noble rot development

Question 30

What must VT wines have a minimum of, and on what does the minimum level depend?

Answer 30

- Sugar ripeness | - The grape variety

Question 31

What does Vendanges Tardives mean?

Answer 31

Late harvest

Question 32

From what type of grape must Vendanges Tardives wines be made?

Answer 32

A single noble variety

Question 33

What is the major controversial issue surrounding Alsace Grand Cru?

Answer 33

Vineyard boundaries and size are often too large, encompassing land not worthy of Grand Cru status

Question 34

What must the label of an Alsace Grand Cru state? | 3 points

Answer 34

- Name of vineyard - Vintage - Variety (where appropriate)

Question 35

What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace?

Answer 35

- Riesling - Muscat - Gewürztraminer - Pinot Gris

Question 36

From what must Alsace Grand Cru wines be produced?

Answer 36

A single noble grape variety

Question 37

How many vineyards have an Alsace Grand Cru appellation?

Answer 37

Over 50

Question 38

Do villages have the right to add their name to an Alsace wine?

Answer 38

For certain style of wine, but it is rare in practice

Question 39

What does it indicate if a grape variety features on the label in Alsace?

Answer 39

100% of the grapes will be from the named variety

Question 40

What do the terms ‘Réserve Personelle’ and ‘Cuvée Spéciale’ denote in Alsace?

Answer 40

They indicate a producer’s higher quality wines but have no legal status

Question 41

Why does the simplicity of the Alsace appellation system cause problems?

Answer 41

There is no legal way of distinguishing between different levels of quality

Question 42

What are the 2 Alsace classifications which depend upon sugar ripeness of the grapes?

Answer 42

- Vendanges Tardives | - Sélection de Grains Nobles

Question 43

Which 2 types of appellation can apply to use the terms VT and SGN?

Answer 43

Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru

Question 44

What are the 2 principal Alsace appellations for still wines?

Answer 44

Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru

Question 45

What about Alsace is unusual for a French region?

Answer 45

Most of its wines are varietals labelled

Question 46

What would you expect from a wine if you saw ‘Edelzwicker’ or ‘Gentil’ on the label?

Answer 46

For it to be an inexpensive blended wine