Master Sommelier Theory 2026 > FR: Alsace, Lorraine > Flashcards

FR: Alsace, Lorraine Flashcards

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1
Q

what is a vin de liqueur?

A

Also called Mistelle in french. It is unfermented grape juice fortified with brandy (grape distillate). More fruit flavors.

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2
Q

what is a vin doux naturel?

A

“naturally sweet wine” grape juice is allowed to ferment before being fortified with brandy. Less fruit flavors than vin de liqueur, more flavors of fermentation

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3
Q

What German wine region runs parallel to Alsace?

A

Baden, across the Rhine River. Pfalz is the contiguation of Alsace, so it continues northward

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4
Q

When did Alsace attain AOC status?

A

1962- the last major winemaking region in France to do so

proposed 1945, but delayed due to world wars. Alsace was part of Germany in 1936 when the AOCs were first established

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5
Q

What are the two départements in Alsace? Which is in the North? What are their capitols?

A

Bas Rhin - northern half. Strasbourg is capitol.

Haut Rhin - in the south. over 2/3 of the grand cru vineyards are here. Colmar is capitol.

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6
Q

What geographical feature separates Alsace from the rest of France?

A

The Vosges Mountains

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7
Q

List some of the soil types in Alsace

A

granite, limestone, schist, clay, gravel, chalk, loess

grés de Vosges - local pink sandstone

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8
Q

What type of soil is typically on the steeper mountain slopes in Alsace?

A

schist, granite, volcanic sediment

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9
Q

What type of soil is typically on the lower slopes in Alsace?

A

limestone

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10
Q

What type of soil is typically on the plains in Alsace?

A

richer alluvial clay, gravel

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11
Q

Alsace synonyms for Pinot Blanc

A

Pinot Vrai
Klevner

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12
Q

By what other name was the Clos Ribeaupierre known?

A

Clos du Schlossberg

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13
Q

Which Alsace Grand Cru allows Sylvaner?

A

Zotzenberg

Boeckel producer

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14
Q

Grapes not allowed in Alsace Grand Cru

A

Chasselas, Auxerrois, Sylvaner (except in Zotzenberg)

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15
Q

What does Gentil indicate on Alsatian wine?

A

Alsatian blend, must be at least 50% noble varieties, vinified separately and then blended

rest of the grapes may be other alsatian white grapes- i.e. Chasselas, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois

producers: Hugel, Meyer-Fonne, and Willm

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16
Q

What is edelzwicker?

A

A blend of any two of the approved white varieties of alsace;
may be vinified separately or together, and no vintage needs to be declared on the label

*allows co-fermentation.

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17
Q

In what village is the Clos des Capucins? Who makes this wine?

A

In the village of Kayserberg, at the foot of Schlossberg GC, owned by Domaine Weinbach

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18
Q

Clos St Hune

A

in Rosacker Grand Cru, in the village of Hunawihr
Trimbach monopole, 1.67 ha, planted with Riesling

Limestone soils, SE facing

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19
Q

Alsace houses traditionally opposed to Grand Cru bottlings

A

Léon Beyer
Trimbach
Hugel

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20
Q

What Clos is owned by Albert Mann? What village is it in?

A

Clos de la Faille, Wintzenheim

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21
Q

What four grapes are permitted for Alsatian Vendanges Tardives?

A

Riesling
Pinot Gris
Muscat
Gewurztraminer

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22
Q

What is Alsace’s signature cheese?

A

Munster

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23
Q

Cuvée Frédéric Emile: who makes it? Blend of which grand crus?

A

A blend of riesling from the Grand crus Osterberg and Geisberg produced by Trimbach since 1898

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24
Q

What is unique about the 1989 vintage of Clos St Hune?

A

one of very few vintages released as Vendange Tardives, labelled ‘Hors Choix’

other VT vintages: 1983, 1997, 2007

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25
Who owns the majority of Schlossberg Grand Cru?
Schlumberger
26
Clos St Urbain where? proucer aspect grade
In Rangen Grand Cru Zind-Humbrecht monopole mostly Riesling, with PG & Gewurz South facing Volcanic, sandstone, low clay content 60% grade- very steep
27
Which Alsace Grand Crus allow blends?
Kaefferkopf (Meyer Fonne producer) Altenberg de Bergheim (Marcel Deiss producer)
28
Altenberg de Bergheim grapes producers
varietal Riesling, Gewurz, PG blends: 50-70% Riesling, 10-25% Pinot Gris, 10-25% Gewurztraminer, max. 10% combined Chasselas, Muscat à Petits Grains, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc authorized for blends in 2001 produfers: Marcel Deiss, Gustave Lorentz, Sylvie Spielmann
29
What are the largest and smallest grand crus in Alsace?
Schlossberg 80.28 ha Kaefferkopf 71 ha Kanzlerberg 3.23 ha
30
Rangen clos here soils
grand cru of Alsace. Clos St Urbain (Zind-Humbrecht) Clos St Théobald (Schoffit) Varietal: all noble grapes, but known for PG & Gewurz Volcanic soils! just east of the main faultline of the Vosges. sulfur rich = less risk of phylloxera 335 to 465 meters elevation
31
Kanzlerberg size producers
smallest GC of Alsace at 3.23 ha only 2 producers: Sylvie Spielmann, Gustav Lorenz
32
Schlossberg GC village soil
largest grand cru in Alsace, in village of Kientzheim granite soils. non contiguous- in 2 sections. mostly planted to riesling
33
Schlossberg GC producers
Weinbach, Trimbach, Albert Mann, Marcel Deiss
34
Secondary grapes in Alsace?
Pinot Blanc (Klevner) Chasselas (Gutedel) Sylvaner Auxerrois Muscat Muscat Ottonel Klevener de Heiligenstein (Savagnin Rose) Pinot Noir
35
Klevener de Heiligenstein
aka Savagnin Rose. These communes may bottle varietally under Vin d'Alsace: Heiligenstein Bourgheim Obernai Gertwiller Goxwiller
36
For varietally labeled Alsatian wines, how much of the grape on the label must be present? grapes allowed
100% Vin d'Alsace may be varietal: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Chasselas, Sylvaner
37
What is a synonym for Chasselas in Alsace?
Gutedel
38
What was Pinot Gris formerly called in Alsace? until when?
Tokay Pinot Gris Tokay d'Alsace last vintage 2007
39
An Alsatian wine labeled "Pinot" may contain what varieties?
Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois
40
What is Savagnin called in Alsace?
Klevner de Heiligenstein, or Savagnin Rose
41
When was Alsace Grand Cru first decreed? When did each grand cru receive it's own AOP?
First in 1975, With Schlossberg as the single named vineyard. 1983: 24 more added 1992: 25 more added 2007: Kaefferkopf was 51st 2011: all 51 become their own appellations
42
Alsace Vendanges Tardives requirements
may be vin d'Alsace or Alsace Grand Cru must be hand harvested may show botrytis character not necessarily totally sweet Riesling & Muscat: 244 g/l must weight PG & Gewurz: 270 g/l
43
Alsace Sélection de Grains Nobles requirements
may be vin d'Alsace or Alsace Grand Cru must be hand harvested must show botrytis character dessert like sweet Riesling & Muscat: 276 g/l must weight PG & Gewurz: 306 g/l
44
Crémant d'Alsace AOC grapes aging
Pinot Blanc*, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois Rose 100% PN Traditional method. 9 months on the lees, 12 months total. Rosé wines may be made by Maceration or Saignée. double or simple guyot AOC est 1976
45
Côtes de Toul AOP - grapes and styles
In Lorraine white: Auxerrois and Aubin red: Pinot Noir rose: made in pale vin gris style from Gamay and Pinot Noir
46
Moselle AOP- grapes and styles
white: Auxerrois, Muller Thurgau, Pinot Gris red: Pinot Noir ** only french region that allows varietal MT! Moselle River- flows north, and forms border between Luxembourg and Germany.
47
What are the two AOPs in Lorraine?
Côtes du Toul Moselle
48
Who makes Clos de la Faille?
Albert Mann, in Wintzenheim Pinot Noir!
49
Clos Windsbuhl
Zind Humbrecht monopole vineyard, 5ha Located on a hill above the village of Hunawihr, overlooking the village church. Not in a Grand Cru, but close to Rosacker Planted to Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris
50
Who makes Cuvée St Catherine?
Weinbach Riesling
51
Zind Humbrecht uses an indice on their labels to refer to what?
Residual Sweetness
52
Alsace grand crus that are planted 100% Riesling?
Muenchberg Kastelberg Geisberg they all allow other grapes though
53
Which grand crus does Trimbach bottle?
Mandelberg Schlossberg Geisberg Frederich Emile: Osterberg and Geisberg Clos St Hune: Rosacker
54
What are the minimum must weights for Alsace Grand Cru wines?
Alsace Grand Cru: Riesling, Muscat, Sylvaner: 168 g/l Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 193 g/l Altenberg de Bergheim: Riesling: 185 g/l Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 218 g/l
55
What is the min alc % for Alsace Grand Cru?
Riesling/Muscat/Sylvaner: 11% Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer: 12.5% Altenberg de Bergheim: Riesling: 12% Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer: 14% Final Blend: 14% Kaefferkopf: varietal same as base, Final Blend: 12%
56
When must producers declare intent to make Alsace Grand Cru?
Intent to produce Grand Cru wine must be declared before March 1 of the harvest year
57
Quintessence de Grains Nobles
an unofficial term for wines that significantly exceed the minimum requirements for SGN wines. The term was invented in 1983 by Domaine Weinbach to describe an exceptional cuvee of that year's vintage, and while still used primarily by Weinbach, it has been adopted by a few other producers, including Marcel Deiss.
58
Why is thermovinifcation a commonly used technique in Alsace?
Botrytis + Pinot Noir Botrytis develops an enzyme called laccase, that destroys color. The only way to rid of this enzyme is to heat the must to 70° C
59
Alsace 2020 rules for sweetness
from 2021 vintage forward, wines labeled Vin d'Alsace / Alsace AOP must be labelled with one of the following: Dry (sec): sugar content of the wine does not exceed 4g/L Medium-dry (demi-sec): sugar content of the wine is between 4g/L and 12g/L Mellow (moelleux): sugar content of the wine is between 12g/L and 45g/L Sweet (doux): sugar content of the wine exceeds 45g/L
60
producers making Schlossberg GC
Trimbach Weinbach Schlumberger Albert Mann
61
Marc d'Alsace grape abv aging
Gewurztraminer Minimum Alcohol: 45% Distillation Procedures: Only copper Alambic/Pot stills may be used Distillate must be less than or equal to 68.5% alcohol Authorized Additives: Addition of color is not allowed Maximum residual sugar is 10 g/l Aging Requirements: May not be aged in wood. Aged a minimum of 3 months prior to sale. Additional Requirements: Chaptalization of the marc is not permitted. Distillation must take place during a period of time starting two months after the declaration of the harvest and April 30th of the following year.
62
Kaefferkopf Grand Cru
in village of Ammerschwihr. non-contiguous! covers 3 hillsides and is 71 ha (second largest GC) Varietal: Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris blends: 60-80% Gewurztraminer, 10-40% Riesling, max. 30% Pinot Gris, max. 10% Muscat
63
Which Alsatian Grand Cru's allow Pinot Noir? since when?
Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr were first to allow PN in 2022 *approved by France, but not by the EU. So, it will be in effect unless rescinded by the EU - which is unlikely. Vorbourg in 2024
64
Clos St Landelin
Muré monopole. Grand Cru Vorbourg
65
Clos Hauserer
Zind-Humbrecht, in Winzenheim
66
types of Muscat in Alsace
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains Muscat Rosé à Petits Grains Muscat Ottonel
67
Zind Humbrecht's Clos Vineyards
Clos Windsbuhl Clos Hauserer Clos Jebsal Clos St Urbain
68
Name 3 major producers of Cremant d'Alsace.
Wolfberger (6 to 7 million bottles per year) Lucien Albrecht Dopff & Irion Albert Mann Pierre Sparr Joseph Cattin
69
Cuvée Theo
Domaine Weinbach Riesling and Gewurztraminer, from Clos des Capucins
70
What are the 3 northernmost Grand Crus of the Haut-Rhin?
Altenberg de Bergheim Kanzlerberg Gloeckelberg
71
Clos St Theobald
Domaine Schofitt in Rangen Grand Cru
72
What is the soil composition of Altenberg de Bergheim?
150 million year old Jurassic marl-limestone covered in red calcareous clay - a very unique setup. There is also a significant amount of gypsum in the soil.
73
What is the Tahlwendala?
A cool nighttime wind unique to slopes just north of Ribeauville, affecting the Osterberg, Geisberg and Kirchberg de Ribeauville Grand Cru's
74
Alsace AOP most planted grapes
Riesling, closely followed by Pinot Blanc, then PG, then Gewurz
75
Alsace AOP styles made
blanc without variety varietal blanc rose/clairet/schillerwein (PN) rouge: PN VT, SGN: single varietal, made from and labeled as: Gewurz, Riesling, Muscat, Muscat Ottonel, PG
76
Alsace VT min abv
Riesling, Muscat: 14.5% PG, Gewurztraminer: 16% these are potential
77
Alsace SGN min abv
Riesling, Muscat: 16.4% PG, Gewurztraminer: 18.2% these are potential
78
Alsace varietal wines min abv (noble grapes)
Muscat 9.5% Riesling 10% PG, Gewurz 11.5% .5% higher if labeled with subzone or lieu-dit
79
Alsace Grand Cru min abv dry wines
Riesling/Muscat/Sylvaner: 11% Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer: 12.5% Pinot: 12.5% in Hengst, 12% in Kirchberg
80
Alsace max residual sugar
Riesling: 6 g/l (if the wines have been chaptalized), 9 g/l (if tartaric acid is less than 6 g/l), 12 g/l (if tartaric acid is greater than 6 g/l) --this does not apply to SGN or VT Riesling, or Riesling labeled with a lieu-dit Rosé: 4 g/l Rouge: 2 g/l
81
Clos Jesbal
Zind Humbrecht, in Turckheim
82
Alsace Grand Cru min abv Pinot Noir
Kirchberg de Barr: 12% Hengst & Vorbourg: 12.5% Alsace AC is 11%
83
Altenberg de Bergheim min abv
Riesling: 12% PG, Gewurz: 14% final blend: 14%
84
Kaefferkopf min abv
Riesling: 11% PG, Gewurz: 12.5% final blend: 12%
85
When is intent to make Alsace Grand Cru declared?
must declare BEFORE march 1 of harvest year also must be vintage dated
86
Alsace Grand Cru aging
wines must age until June 1 year following harvest VT & SGN: June 1 second year following harvest
87
Kaefferkopf grapes
Varietal: Riesling, Gewurz, PG blends: 60-80% Gewurz, 10-40% Riesling, max. 30% Pinot Gris, max. 10% Muscat
88
Clos vineyards in Rangen
Clos St Urbain (Zind Humbrect) Clos St Tehobald (Schoffit)
89
municipalities that can add name to Alsace AOC
Alsace AOC "Communale" Blienschwiller Barr Coast Rouffach Hill Klevener of Heiligenstein Saint Hippolyte Ottrott RodernNoble Valley Val Saint Grégoire Scherwiller Wolxheim Hills of Haut-Koenigsbourg Bergheim
90
elevation range Alsace Grand Crus
200-400m generally
91
Rosacker GC soil type
dolomitic limestone
92
Alsace GC with volcanic soils?
Rangen
93
Schlossberg GC soil type
granite
94
Schoenenboourg GC soil type
Marlstone, locally called Keuper after the geological period of the same name, is a dominant soil type, often covered by a fine layer of sandstone.
95
Alsace climate
continental 581 mm (22.9 inches) - rain shadow of Vosges 1,799 hours sunlight / year
96
Alsace most planted grapes
Riesling Pinot Blanc & Auxerrois Gewurztraminer Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Sylvaner
97
Alsace GC with limestone
Rosacker Kirchberg de Barr Windsbuhl Furstentum Schoenenbourg Mambourg
98
Alsace GC with volcanic soil
Rangen
99
Alsace GC with granite
Schlossberg Brand Sommerberg Rangen Kastelberg
100
Altenberg de Bergheim exceptions
higher min planting density than other GC (5500 vs 4500 vines) higher min must weights and abv for dry wines allows blends
101
Alsace GC where no varietal muscat allowed
Zotzenberg (Mittelbergheim) Altenberg de Bergheim Kaefferkopf (Ammerschwihr)
102
Rangen GC describe landscape
highest elevation, steepest slopes, only GC with volcanic soils. also planted very early
103
Zind Humbrecht clos bottled GC bottled
Turckheim Clos Hauserer, Clos Jebsal, Clos Windsbuhl, Clos St Urbain Brand, Hengst, Rangen, Goldert
104
what is vin d'Alsace Schillerwein?
varietal Pinot Noir rose
105
Alsace wines that must be hand harvested
VT SGN Grand Cru PG or PN with ‘lieu dit’ (and Cremant d’Alsace AC)
106
Alsace 2024
difficult but Rieslings were good, Gewurz not so much early budbreak, decent amount of rain in growing season causing fungal issues
107
Alsace 2023
good/great. mild winter and spring, hot summer with some rain.
108
Alsace 2022
good. summer was HOT, but no drought issues. dry wines did well but no botrytis
109
Alsace 2021
excellent. warm start but no frost. very long growing season- some humidity and disease pressure, but August warmed up during the days. yields reduced up to 20%. great wines
110
Alsace 2020
good. warm spring then hot and dry summer. drought was an issue. early harvest but some good wine
111
Alsace 2019
excellent. some April frost, hot dry summer, then August rains. both sweet and dry wines were great
112
Alsace 2018
warmest vintage recently. also largest crop in recent years
113
Alsace bad recent vintages
2014- Asian fruit fly hurt Gewurz 2013 - small crop
114
Best VT/SGN vintages for Alsace since 2010
2010 2012 2014** 2015** 2017 2019**
115
Worst recent vintages for Alsace VT/SGN styles
2022 2021 2020
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