Term
| True or false: sales in Alsace are dominated by the presence of co-operatives. |
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Definition
| True. Co-operatives sell 80% of the wine in Alsace. |
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Term
| What kind of climate does Alsace have? |
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Definition
Cool continental climate
Long autumns
One of the driest regions in France |
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Term
| The best vineyards in Alsace are situated on what kinds of slopes? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the local AC sparkling wine in Alsace? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the most common pruning system on the vineyards along Alsace's plains? |
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Definition
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Term
| True or false: there is great variety of soils across Alsatian vineyards. |
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Definition
| True. Alsace has had a dramatic geological history, as evident by the sheer diversity of granitic, limestone, sandstone, clay, loam, and volcanic soils present in the region. |
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Term
| Name the 7 most important grape varieties allowed in Alsace. |
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Definition
Riesling
Gewürztraminer
Pinot Gris
Pinot Blanc
Sylvaner
Muscat
Pinot Noir |
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Term
| Describe the quality of oak-ageing in Alsace. |
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Definition
| If oaked at all, wines are typically fermented in large oak casks that are coated with a layer of thick tartrate deposits. This protective layer keeps the wood from having any influence on the wines. |
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Term
| What is the one variety in Alsace that receives MLF? |
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Definition
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Term
How many ACs exist in Alsace for still wines?
Name them. |
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Definition
2 ACs
Alsace AC
Alsace Grand Cru AC |
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Term
| If a grape variety features on the label of an Alsace AC bottle, a minimum of __% of the grapes used must be from the named variety. |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the name given to the distinctive bottle shape used for Alsace AC wines? |
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Definition
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Term
By and large, Alsace Grand Cru ACs must be produced from a single noble grape variety.
1. What are these noble grape varieties?
2. What are the three exceptions? |
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Definition
1. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, and Pinot Gris
2. Kaefferkopf and Altenberg de Bergheim allow blending
Zotzenberg allows Sylvaner |
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Term
| Describe the requirements for producing a Vendange Tardive (VT) wine. |
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Definition
1. The wines must be made from one of the four noble grape varieties (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, and Pinot Gris)
2. Sugar ripeness must allow for 14% abv for Riesling and Muscat, and 15.3% for Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer
3. The grapes used will have undergone passerillage, with some botrytis influence |
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Term
| Which German Pradikätswein does a Vendange Tardive wine roughly correlate to? |
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Definition
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Term
| True or false: a Vendange Tardive wine is always sweet. |
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Definition
False.
Styles can range from dry to medium sweet. |
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Term
| True or false: a Selection de Grains Nobles wine is always sweet. |
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Definition
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Term
| Which German Pradikätswein does a Selection de Grains Nobles wine roughly correlate to? |
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Definition
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Term
| Describe the requirements for producing a Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN) wine. |
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Definition
1. The wines must be made from one of the four noble grape varieties (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, and Pinot Gris)
2. Sugar ripeness must allow for 16.4% abv for Riesling and Muscat, and 18.2% for Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer.
3. These wines must be sweet. |
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Term
| True or false: Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN) wines are produced every year. |
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Definition
False.
They are produced in the best accommodating years, and in small quantities. |
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Term
If a wine is labeled 'Edelzwicker,' what does this indicate?
(Bonus: what is the French equivalent, also found on the bottle?) |
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Definition
It is an inexpensive blended wine that is light in body and lacks spicy character.
(Bonus: 'Gentil') |
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Term
High-quality wines from Alsace are typically:
a) Single-varietal
b) Blends |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the most widely planted of the Alsatian noble varieties? |
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Definition
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Term
| Compare an Alsatian Riesling with German Rieslings. |
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Definition
| Where German Rieslings are often light-bodied and medium-sweet, the best of Alsatian Rieslings are full-bodied, dry with medium/medium+ alcohol, show high acidity, and have a pronounced flinty mineral character. |
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Term
| The very best Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN) wines are typically made from which of the noble grape varieties? |
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Definition
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Term
Describe an Alsatian Gewürztraminer's:
1. Appearance
2. Acidity
3. Alcohol
4. Body
5. Aromas
6. Texture |
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Definition
1. White with a light pink tinge
2. Medium to low acidity
3. High alcohol (~14%)
4. Full-bodied
5. Aromas include lychees, roses, and sweet baking spices
6. Rich, oily texture |
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Term
| Which Alsatian variety was once known as Tokay d'Alsace? |
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Definition
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Term
| Describe an Alsatian Pinot Gris. How is it different from Italian Pinot Grigio? |
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Definition
Alsatian Pinot Gris are rich, full-bodied, and high in alcohol. Aromas include fresh and dried fruits with a smoky, honeyed character.
Italian Pinot Grigios are typically lighter and lower in alcohol. |
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Term
| Why is Muscat becoming increasingly unpopular in Alsace? |
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Definition
| It is frequently prone to coulure and rot, giving inconsistent yields. |
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Term
Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois grow better on:
a) plains
b) sloped sites |
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Definition
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Term
| Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc are largely similar, with a few subtle differences. Give a few of these differences. |
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Definition
| Auxerrois is is slightly more full-bodied and spicier. |
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