Title: WSET Level 3 / WSET Level 3 C17 - Alsace

Front: What is the climate of Alsace?
Back: Cool to moderate continental

Front: What is a potential climatic threat to the region of Alsace?
Back: Prevailing westerly rain-bearing winds

Front: How is Alsace protected from the westerly winds?
Back: By the Vosges Mountains

Front: What is the rainfall like in Alsace? Explain this
Back: Summers and autumns are warm and dryThere is very little cloud coverThe region is protected by the Vosges Mountains

Front: What is the result on wines of the dry climate in Alsace?
Back: Grapes can achieve high levels of sugar ripeness

Front: What is a relatively unique climatic phenomenon in Alsace?
Back: Occasional drought

Front: Where are the best vineyards of Alsace located?
Back: On the steepest slopes with east and south east aspects

Front: Describe the northerly part of the Alsace vineyard area
Back: It has the coolest climate and the least protection from the Vosges

Front: Where are the lesser vineyards of Alsace?
Back: On the plain between the Vosges foothills and the Rhine

Front: What is the main use of grapes from the lesser vineyards of Alsace?
Back: In Crémant d'Alsace

Front: What is the soil like in the vineyards of the foothills of Alsace?
Back: Very varied

Front: Why is there so much soil variation in parts of Alsace?
Back: It has experienced a dramatic geological history

Front: What is the key factor in why there is so much variety in style in Alsace?
Back: The geological variation

Front: Grape growing practices in Alsace, vary depending on...
Back: Whether the vineyards are on slopes or on the plain

Front: Describe Alsatian vineyard practices on slopes
Back: They are trained low to benefit from radiated heatRows are oriented to maximise the vines' exposure to the sunHarvesting is done by hand
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Name: Describe Alsatian vines on slopes

Front: Describe Alsatian vineyard practices on the plains
Back: Vines are trained high to minimise the risk of Spring frosts

Front: What kind of viticulture is commonly practiced in Alsace?
Back: Organic and Biodynamic

Front: Why are Organic and Biodynamic viticulture popular in Alsace?
Back: Low disease pressure in the sunny, dry conditions

Front: What is the key logistical challenge faced by growers in Alsace?
Back: Because they have a number of small plots of vines, each planted with different varieties, they will ripen at different times, therefore the vintage may be spread over a long period

Front: Between which months does the Alsatian harvest usually last?
Back: September - November/December

Front: What are the most important/noble varieties of Alsace?
Back: RieslingGewurztraminerPinot GrisMuscat

Front: Which varieties may be used for VT, grand cru and SGN wines in Alsace?
Back: The noble varieties only
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Name: Which varieties may be used for VT and SGN wines in Alsace?

Front: The vast majority of Alsace wines are made from...
Back: Single varieties

Front: What are Alsatian blended varieties usually made from?
Back: Juice that was not selected for varietal wines

Front: What does it mean when an Alsatian wine is labelled Edelzwicker or Gentil? How else may this be labelled?
Back: A blended wineA producer's brand name
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Name: What does it mean when an Alsatian wine is labelled Edelzwicker or Gentil?

Front: Are all Alsatian blends of a basic quality?
Back: No, some are very high quality, even being made from grand cru vineyards, but these are very rare

Front: Why is winemaking in Alsace so focused on retaining aroma/varietal character?
Back: Most of the varieties are aromatic

Front: How do traditional Alsatian winemakers typically ferment their wines?
Back: In large old oak barrels, typically more than 100 years old

Front: What is notable about the old oak barrels sometimes used in Alsace?
Back: The inside is lines with a thick layer of Tartrates

Front: What is the effect of the tartrate deposits lining the inside of Alsatian barrels?
Back: It prevents the wood from having any influence on the wine

Front: What kind of vessel is used for modern fermentation in Alsace? What is the benefit of this?
Back: Stainless steelThey facilitate the control of temperature at fermentation
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Name: What kind of vessel is used for modern fermentation in Alsace?

Front: Which winemaking practice is generally avoided in Alsace? Why?
Back: MLFIt would mask the pure fruit flavours
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Name: Which winemaking practice is generally avoided in Alsace?

Front: When does bottling usually take place in Alsace? Why?
Back: In the spring following the vintageThe wine is still young and fresh

Front: Can Alsace wines be bottle-aged?
Back: Many of them can, yes

Front: What are the predominant sugar levels in Alsace wines?
Back: Most are dry (with the exception of VT and SGN wines), but recently more and more - particularly grand cru wines - are being made with noticeable levels of sweetness

Front: What is the problem with the increasing levels of sweetness in Alsace?
Back: There is no official system for indicating sweetness levels

Front: Describe the sweetness levels of VT wines in Alsace
Back: They can range from dry to medium-sweet

Front: Describe sugar levels in SGN wines
Back: They are always sweet, though the influence of noble rot can vary from wine to wine

Front: What is the most widely planted of the noble varieties in Alsace?
Back: Riesling

Front: Describe the flavour profile of the best Rieslings in Alsace
Back: Medium to full-bodiedDryMedium alcoholHigh acidityCitrus and stone fruitPronounced steely/stony character

Front: Contrary to its traditional style, many Alsace Rieslings are now being made with...
Back: Some residual sugar

Front: How do Alsace Rieslings typically differ from their German counterparts?
Back: They don't typically shoe as much floral character

Front: What aromas are typical from an Alsace Gewurztraminer?
Back: LycheesRosesSweet baking spices

Front: Describe the appearance of the Gewurztraminer grape and its effect on the wine
Back: The skin has a light pink tinge, giving a golden colour to some of the wines

Front: Give the profile of Gewurztraminer wines
Back: Full-bodied Oily textureHigh alcohol (14% is not uncommon)Low to medium acidity

Front: What is the profile of Alsace Pinot Gris?
Back: Full-bodied and richHigh alcoholMore acidity than Gewurztraminer Similar colour to Gewurztraminer but less aromaticPronounced flavour of fresh and dried fruits and a honeyed character

Front: Which Muscat grape provides the best quality of the three in Alsace?
Back: Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Front: What is the flavour profile of MBAPG in Alsace?
Back: Light to medium bodyLow to medium acidityIntensely aromaticOrange blossom, Rose and Grape flavours

Front: What is the viticultural hazard associated with growing MBAPG in Alsace?
Back: It is prone to poor fruit set and rot

Front: What is used as a more reliable alternative to MBAPG in Alsace? How does it compare with the former?
Back: Muscat Less aromatic
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Name: What is used as a more reliable alternative to MBAPG in Alsace?

Front: Give the most widely planted non-noble variety in Alsace
Back: Pinot Blanc

Front: On what kind of land is Pinot Blanc planted in Alsace?
Back: In the more fertile soils of the plains

Front: What is Pinot Blanc most commonly used for in Alsace?
Back: Sparkling wine

Front: Roughly describe still wines of Pinot Blanc in Alsace
Back: Light, simple, refreshing and non-aromatic

Front: Which Alsace grape is similar to Pinot Blanc but slightly spicier and more full-bodied?
Back: Auxerrois

Front: What is sometimes blended with Pinot Blanc in Alsace?
Back: Auxerrois

Front: Which Alsace grape variety used to be widely planted, but is making way for noble varieties?
Back: Sylvaner

Front: Roughly describe Sylvaner wines from Alsace
Back: Delicately perfumedSome richness (but less than Gewurztraminer)Best drunk young

Front: What is the only black variety permitted in Alsace?
Back: Pinot Noir

Front: Describe Alsace Pinot Noir
Back: They lack the weight and concentration of Burgundy Pinot NoirAt their best, a light, fruity red/rosé

Front: How do winemakers in Alsace sometimes force more concentrated flavours in Pinot Noir-based wines?
Back: With new oak flavours

Front: How many appellations are there in Alsace?
Back: 2

Front: What are the principal appellations of Alsace?
Back: AlsaceAlsace Grand Cru

Front: What are the two other classifications in Alsace?
Back: Vendanges Tardives Sélection de Grains Nobles

Front: What dictates the classifications VT and SGN?
Back: Sugar ripeness

Front: Which Alsace appellation can apply to use VT/SGN?
Back: Both

Front: How do producers in Alsace differentiate between the qualities of their wines?
Back: With terms like Réserve personelle and Cuvée spéciale (these terms have no legal status)

Front: Which appellation accounts for the majority of Alsace's production?
Back: Alsace

Front: What is the status of single variety wines within the Alsace appellation?
Back: Most Alsace wines are single variety

Front: What is key about the single variety wines of Alsace?
Back: They are varietally labelled

Front: What must apply if a wine is varietally labelled?
Back: 100% of grapes must be from that variety

Front: Can villages be named on Alsace appellation wines?
Back: Yes, some villages can for certain styles of wine, but this is rare

Front: How many vineyards in Alsace have their own Grand Cru appellation?
Back: Over fifty

Front: What are the main rules applying to Alsace grand cru wines?
Back: They must be produced from a single noble variety (with some exceptions)The label must state vineyard, vintage and grape variety (where appropriate)

Front: What is the controversy surrounding the grand cru appellation in Alsace?
Back: Many producers believe the appellations to be too large and encompass land not worthy of the title

Front: What is the meaning of Vendanges Tardives?
Back: Late harvest

Front: How may a wine qualify for Vendanges Tardives?
Back: It must be made from a noble varietyIt must have a specific minimum sugar ripeness depending on variety

Front: How are the best VT wines of Alsace vinified?
Back: They will have undergone passerillageThere may be some influence of noble rot

Front: What are the principal rules applying to a wine being SGN?
Back: Must be from a noble varietyMust have a minimum sugar ripeness depending on variety (higher than those of VT wines)

Front: How are the higher necessary sugar ripeness levels required in SGN wines achieved?
Back: Usually by noble rot

Front: How often are SGN wines produced in Alsace? How much of it?
Back: Not every yearIn small quantities