Alsace, Jura, & Savoie Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Alsace, Jura, & Savoie Deck (141)
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1
Q

How far back does Alsatian winegrowing date to?

A

160 Alsatian vineyards were growing vines by the year 1000

2
Q

When did Alsace achieve AOC status?

A

1962; it was the last major French winemaking region to do so

3
Q

Name for the two major subregions in Alsace

A

departments

4
Q

What is France’s smallest region?

A

Alsace

5
Q

2 departments of Alsace

A

Haut-Rhin & Bas-Rhin

6
Q

Which department is known for quality wines?

A

Haut-Rhin; over two-thirds of Alsace’s Grand Crus are located here

7
Q

What seperates Alsace from the rest of France

A

the Vosges Mountains

8
Q

What do the Vosges Mountains do to Alsace?

A

Provide a rain shadow effect

9
Q

Driest city in France

A

Colmar, capital of Haut-Rhin department

10
Q

Climate of Alsace

A

semi-continental

11
Q

Which way do the better vineyards of Alsace face

A

South, Southeastern, or Warm Eastern exposures

12
Q

Why is the northerly location of Alsace not an issue to ripeness?

A

because of the sheer number of sunlight hours in the summertime

13
Q

Soil types of Alsace

A

granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, loess, and local pink sandstone (grès de vosges)

14
Q

Unique local soil type in Alsace

A

grès des Vosges - local pink sandstone

15
Q

Generally where are the different soils found in Alsace?

A

steep mountain slopes: schist, granite, volcanic sediment

lower slopes: limestone

plain at base of mountains: richer alluvial clay and gravel

16
Q

4 noble grapes of Alsace

A

Riesling
Pinot Gris
Muscat (either Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, Muscat Rose a Petits Grains, or Muscat Ottonel)
Gewurztraminer

17
Q

Other grapes allowed in Alsace AOP?

A

(vin d’Alsace AOP)

Noble Grapes
Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Chasselas (Gutedel)
Sylvaner
Pinot Noir
18
Q

Requirement to be varietally labeled?

A

must contain 100% of stated variety

exception – Pinot Blanc, which is often blended with the similar but not synonymous Auxerrois, but still labelled Pinot Blanc – even if 100% Auxerrois

19
Q

Most produced grape in Alsace

A

(when considered together it would be Pinot Blanc & Auxerrois)

Riesling – most planted and last noble grape to ripen

20
Q

Difference between German and Alsatian Riesling

A

Alsatian Rieslings are characteristically dry, more powerful, and higher in alcohol

21
Q

Alsatian law for Riesling as of 2008

A

Rieslings must be dry in style

22
Q

Alsatian name for Pinot Blanc

A

Klevner

23
Q

Alsatian name for Chasselas

A

Gutedel

24
Q

Former Alsatian name for Pinot Gris

A

Tokay d’ Alsace

Tokay Pinot Gris

25
Q

Pinot Gris profile in Alsace

A

perhaps Alsace’s quintessential wine: the grape here achieves its fullest, richest expression, with spicy-smoky qualities and a frame solid - though hardly high - acidity

26
Q

Muscat/Gewurztraminer in Alsace

A

Both highly aromatic

  • Muscat shows fragrant floral and grapy notes
  • Gewurztraminer tends toward perfumed, sweet spices, and tropical fruit

Both lower in acidity, but Gewurztraminer is higher in alcohol and more likely to be off dry

27
Q

What is Gewurztraminer a clone of?

A

Traminer

28
Q

What is another name for pink variant of Traminer?

A

Savagnin

29
Q

Savagnin Rose

A

Klevener de Heiligenstein

less intensely aromatic than Gewurztraminer but higher in acidity

30
Q

5 communes to bottle Klevener varietally?

A
Heiligenstein
Bourgheim
Gertwiller
Goxwiller
Obernai
31
Q

Edelzwicker

A

noble mixture - usually indicates its own inverse: an inexpensive, blended wine (field blend)

32
Q

Edelzwicker requirements

A

do not need to be vintage dated

do not legally have to contain more than one grape

In practice, they are blends, however, and do not need to indicate any percentages of grapes on the label

33
Q

Gentil

A

Superior designation for blends, requiring a minimum of 50% noble grapes

Any other Alsatian grape may compose the remainder and base wines must be vinified seperately

34
Q

How many Grand Cru in Alsace?

A

51

35
Q

Original Grand Cru of Alsace

A

Schlossberg

36
Q

51st Grand Cru of Alsace

A

Kaefferkopf

37
Q

Requirements for Alsace Grand Cru

A
  • only noble grapes, typically single varietal (not required by law)
  • hand-harvesting mandaory
  • minimum potential alcohol 11% for Riesling/Muscat & 12.5% for Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer
38
Q

Grand Crus that may produce blends

A

Altenberg de Bergheim

Kaefferkopf

39
Q

Grand Cru that produces Sylvaner

A

Zotzenberg

40
Q

Change in Cru organization in 2011

A

Pivoted from the Chablis model to the Cote d’Or model

Each vineyard recieved its own appellation and cahier des charges

41
Q

Cahier des charges

A

document that specifies all rules recognized by a decree

42
Q

Largest and Smallest Grand Cru in Alsace

A

Largest: Schlossberg (80ha)
Smallest: Kanzellerberg (3ha)

43
Q

2 designations for Alsace late harvest wine

A

Vendanges Tardives
Selections de Grains Nobles

two terms imply sweetness

44
Q

Vendanges Tardives

A
  • single noble variety
  • pass a blind tasting panel
  • may show botrytis character but emphasizes varietal purity
  • usually originate from vines in a state of passerillage
45
Q

passerillage

A

French term for leaving grapes on the vine past normal harvest so that they can dry up and concentrate their flavors. Passerillage is distinct from noble rot in that these grapes are not exposed to the botrytis fungus

46
Q

Selections de Grains Nobles

A
  • generally picked in tries

- suppress varietal character in return for the complexities of botrytis

47
Q

tries

A

Trie (Plural of Tri) French term meaning a “sweep” or tries through a vineyard picking grapes. In the harvesting of botrytized grapes, a team will go through the vineyard several times (several tries) over a couple weeks picking only the individual grapes that have been sufficiently rotted

48
Q

Are VGT/SGN always sweet?

A

They are not obligated by statute to be sweet.

SGN are always dessert-like, but VT may vary in actual sugar and can be dry

49
Q

What is the only permitted red variety for Alsace AOP?

A

Pinot Noir

50
Q

Cremant d’ Alsace grapes

A
Pinot Noir (sole grape for Rose)
Pinot Blanc is the major component
Chardonnay
Riesling
Auxerrois
Pinot Gris
51
Q

Only Alsatian region to allow Chardonnay

A

Cremant d’Alsace

52
Q

What does Jura share a border with?

A

Switzerland

53
Q

Where are the Jura vineyards located

A

On the the mountain’s lower slopes

54
Q

Soil of Jura

A

Jurassic limestone and marl, with a substantial amount of clay at the lowest sites

55
Q

Climate of Jura

A

continental, turning harshly cold in the wintertime

56
Q

Standard appellation of Jura

A

Cotes du Jura AOP

57
Q

5 grapes of Jura

A

Red
-Poulsard (Ploussard), Trousseau, and Pinot Noir

White
-typically 100% Chardonnay (Gamay Blanc), although Savagnin, known locally as Nature and elsewhere as Traminer may be added as a blending partner

58
Q

vin gris

A

Rose made from red grapes, but in a white wine style. No maceration which leads to a pale style of rose

59
Q

vin jaune

A

“Yellow wine”

like sherry, matured in barrel under a ‘flor’ (aka: voile) Not Fortified

60
Q

Grape of vin jaune

A

Savagnin

61
Q

Grape of vin de paille

A

Chardonnay, Poulsard, and Savagnin

No Pinot Noir

62
Q

vin de paille

A

“straw wine” (made only in the ripest vintages) – grapes allowed to dry on mats for months and final wine has 10-20% RS very heavy and sweet)

63
Q

3 communal appellations of Jura

A

Arbois AOP
L’Etoile AOP
Chateau Chalon AOP

64
Q

Jura’s leading wine village

A

Arbois

65
Q

Home of Louis Pasteur

A

Arbois

66
Q

How many communes are in Arbois

A

12

67
Q

Which commune may amend its name to Arbois

A

Pupillin

68
Q

L’Etoile

A

white wine only appellation named for a local fossil shaped like a five pointed star

69
Q

Grapes of L’Etoile

A

Chardonnay, Poulsard, and Savagnin

generally bottled in an oxidative style

70
Q

Chateau Chalon AOP

A

Commune – not a producer – specializing in the vin jaune, or yellow wine of the Jura

71
Q

Vin Jaune production

A

produced exclusively from Savagnin grapes grown on the local limestone and marl, the wine is deliberately oxidized and may age for decades

72
Q

Another name for Savagnin

A

Nature

73
Q

How long is Savagnin kept in barrel following fermentation?

A

until December 15 of the 6th year following the harvest

74
Q

What forms on top of the wine?

A

A voile or veil

75
Q

Voile

A

Film-forming yeast that covers the wine’s surface, similar tot he flor of Jerez

76
Q

Flavors of vin Jaune

A

nutty, almost curried flavor carried on a delicate, dry palate

77
Q

Difference between sherry and vin jaune

A

vin jaune is not fortified

78
Q

What type of bottle is utilized in Chateau Chalon

A

Clavelin

79
Q

Clavelin

A

a squat 62 cl bottle

80
Q

What can vin de paille be labeled as?

A

Arbois, L’Etoile or Cotes du Jura

81
Q

How is vin de paille produced?

A

to produce this rare nectar, ripe but not botrytised grapes are left to dry for a minimum of six weeks after harvest; Traditionally the grapes are dried on straw mats, although they are often hung to dry or boxed in modern winemaking. As the grapes shrivel and raisinate, they achieve a must weight surpassing 320 g/L.

82
Q

Style of vin de paille

A

Every element of the structure is concentrated; thus the final wine maintains acidity, giving balance to the high levels of residual sugar and pronounced alcohol content of at least 14%

83
Q

Minimum aging for vin de paille

A

minimum 3 years

18 months neutral oak barrels

84
Q

Traditional method sparkling wines in Jura

A

Cremant du Jura AOP (established in 1995)

85
Q

Vin de liqueur

A

produced as Macvin du Jura AOP

wherein aged Marc is added to unfermented grape must, resulting in a sweet, unfermented but alcoholic grape juice

Macvin du Jura may be red, white or rose, and must be aged for one year in oak following mutage

86
Q

mutage

A

is a procedure of making sweet wine by adding alcohol to the musts, which contains yeast formation and stops the fermentation process. This process gives wine a sweet taste. As a result, this wine making process is used to produce sweet wine with higher alcohol content.

87
Q

Climate of Savoie

A

Continental climate moderated by Lake Bourget and the larger Lake Geneva (known as Lac Leman in France)

88
Q

Lake Geneva

A

Lac Leman - Western Europe’s largest body of freshwater

89
Q

Appellation of Savoie

A

Vin de Savoie AOP

90
Q

White wines of Savoie

A

Jacquere (most common)
Altesse
Roussane (Bergeron)
Chardonnay

91
Q

Red wines of Savoie

A

Gamay
Mondeuse
Pinot Noir

92
Q

Most common grape of Savoie

A

Jacquere

93
Q

encepagement

A

amount of blend

94
Q

Cru in Savoie

A

Chignin-Bergeron

95
Q

Chignin-Bergeron

A

produces 100% Roussanes

96
Q

Crus of Marignan, Ripaille, and Crepy

A

all located along the southern shores of Lake Geneva – mandate a minimum of 80% Chasselas

97
Q

Other regional appellation in Savoie

A

Roussette de Savoie AOP

98
Q

Rousette de Savoie AOP

A

Roussette is a synonym for the Altesse grape and the appellation’s wines are 100% varietal

99
Q

Four communes of Roussette de Savoie

A

Frangy
Marestel
Monterminod
Monthoux

100
Q

Seyssel AOP

A

north of Lake Bourget and provides dry and off-dry still and mousseux (sparkling) wines

101
Q

Grape of Seyssel

A

typically 100% Altesse, although varietally labelled Molette is also permitted

102
Q

Where will you find methode ancestrale roses

A

Bugey-Cerdon

103
Q

Roussette de Bugey AOP

A

100% Altesse

104
Q

Communes in Roussette de Bugey

A

Montagnieu

Virieu le Grand

105
Q

Bottle shape in Alsace

A

Flute

106
Q

Important Producers in Alsace

A

Trimbach, Zind-Humbrecht, Hugel et Fils, Leon Beyer, Josmeyer, Marcel Deiss

107
Q

What river borders Alsace to the East?

A

Rhine

108
Q

Climate of Alsace

A

Cool continental

109
Q

What borders Alsace to the West?

A

Vosges mountains

110
Q

Why is Alsace the driest region in France?

A

Because of the shield from the Vosges mountains

111
Q

How much of a variety must be present to be varietally labeled in Alsace?

A

100%

112
Q

What is the bottle shape used in Alsace?

A

Flutes

113
Q

4 Noble grapes of Alsace

A

Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat

114
Q

What grapes are allowed in Alsace Grand Cru?

A

only the 4 noble grapes of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Muscat

115
Q

Clos Vineyards of Alsace

A

12 single vineyards, often monopoles that may or may not be within Grand cru limitations but are of great significance

116
Q

Cotes de Toul AOC

A

Pinot Noir, Auxerrois, Aubin + Rose wines, in a pale vin gris style

117
Q

Moselle VDQS/AOC:

A

Red, white, rose wines from Alsace grapes, + Gamay, Pinot Meunier

118
Q

What does the Rhine river do for Alsace?

A

moderates temperature/provides misty conditions for botyrtis

119
Q

Why does Alsace focus almost completely on white varieties?

A

Because despite the long growing season, the accumulated warmth is still relatively low. For this reason, the region focuses almost exclusively on white grape varieties.

120
Q

What’s important to note about the soils of Alsace

A

Complex, with high mineral content

121
Q

Foothill soils

A

thin topsoil with varied subsoils of granite, sandstone, or limestone

122
Q

Flatland soils

A

Formed of alluvium, these soils are typically thick and fertile

123
Q

Alluvium

A

Mix of silt, organic matter, and clay washed down from the mountains above

124
Q

How much of Alsace is estate bottled?

A

25%

125
Q

How much of Alsace is white wine?

A

90%

126
Q

2 regions of Alsace

A

Bas Rhin

Haut Rhin

127
Q

Bas Rhin

A

Lower temperature
More rain/less shadow effect as the Vosges is of lower altitude
More sparkling

128
Q

Haut Rhin

A

In the south
Higher temperature
Lower rainfall
Grand Cru

129
Q

Notable Grand Cru of Alsace

A
Kessler
Kirchberg de Barr
Kirchberg de Ribeauville
Osterberg
Schlossberg
Shoenenbourg
Steinert
Rangen
Geisberg
Vorbourg
Hengst
Rosacker
130
Q

Grand Cru exceptions

A

Grand cru Zotzenberg - No Muscat, but Sylvaner allowed
Altenberg de Bergheim - may blend according to certain proscribed proportions
Kaefferkopf - may blend according to certain prescribed proportions

131
Q

Important producers of Alsace

A

Trimbach, Zind-Humbrecht, Hugel et Fils, Leon Beyer, Josmeyer, Marcel Deiss

132
Q

Riesling in Alsace

A

Sunny, sheltered settings where light, loose-textured soils are found
Riesling can continue ripening in cool, autumn conditions, making it especially important for late-harvest and botrytis-affected wines
Ages well

133
Q

Difference between German and Alsace Riesling

A

Alsace is drier and fuller

134
Q

Gewurztraminer in Alsace

A
  • Pink skinned
  • Fussy and inconsistent
  • Prefers richer soils high in minerals
  • concentrated, full-bodied dry wines with intense aromatics and a thick, low acid, almost oily texture in the mouth
  • good for Vendanges Tardives (VT) & Selection de Grains Noble (SGN)
135
Q

Pinot Gris in Alsace

A
  • Buds first, requiring particularly warm, sheltered sites to protect it from frost
  • Dry, full bodied and intense, with aromas of pears, spices, musk, and canned mushrooms
  • Also used for VT & SGN
136
Q

Which grape buds first in Alsace

A

Pinot Gris

137
Q

Former name of Pinot Gris?

A

Tokay d’Alsace

138
Q

Muscat is Alsace

A
  • often served as an aperitif in Alsace

- Highly aromatic

139
Q

Other names for Muscat in Alsace

A

Ottonel

Blanc d’Alsace a Petits Grains

140
Q

Other grapes of Alsace

A
Pinot Blanc (Klevner)
Sylvaner
Chasselas (Gutedel)
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
141
Q

What is one situation in which non-nobile grapes are used in Alsace?

A

In Cremant – 20% of production

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