Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Hospitality

Discover Your Alsace Wine Knowledge Quiz

Explore Alsatian wine facts and styles

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art promoting Alsace Wine Knowledge Quiz

I'm thrilled to guide you through this Alsace Wine Knowledge Quiz, a fun way to explore the Alsatian wine region and its celebrated varietals. Whether you're a budding sommelier or wine enthusiast, this Alsace wine quiz will sharpen your understanding of grape profiles, terroir, and labeling terms. After completing the quiz, you'll feel confident navigating Alsace wine lists and pairing suggestions. You can easily customize this template in our editor to fit classroom exercises or personal study sessions. Check out more quizzes like the Wine Region Knowledge Quiz or the Wine Knowledge Assessment Quiz.

Which grape variety is the most widely planted in Alsace?
Chardonnay
Chenin Blanc
Pinot Noir
Riesling
Riesling is the most widely planted grape in Alsace, prized for its high acidity and aging potential. It thrives on the region's varied soils and cool climate. This prominence makes it a flagship variety of the area.
Gewurztraminer from Alsace is best known for which flavor profile?
Lychee and rose petal aromas
Tropical fruit and coconut
Red berry and cherry
Green apple and grass
Gewurztraminer is characterized by intense lychee and rose petal aromas along with spicy notes. Its low acidity and high aromatic profile set it apart. This makes it an easy match for spicy and strongly flavored dishes.
What does the term "Crémant d'Alsace" indicate on a wine label?
An oak-aged red wine
A Grand Cru vineyard designation
A late-harvest sweet wine
A traditional-method sparkling wine from Alsace
Crémant d'Alsace refers to sparkling wines made by the traditional méthode champenoise in Alsace. These wines must age on lees for a minimum period and follow strict production rules. It is distinct from late-harvest or Grand Cru designations.
Which classification sits directly above the basic Alsace AOC?
Sélection de Grains Nobles
Alsace Grand Cru
Crémant d'Alsace
Vin de Pays
Alsace Grand Cru is the higher classification above the basic Alsace AOC, reserved for 51 designated vineyard sites. Wines labeled Grand Cru must meet stricter yield and ripeness standards. This classification highlights superior terroir expression.
A classic food pairing for Alsace Gewurztraminer is:
Butter-poached lobster
Steak au poivre
Spicy Asian cuisine
Smoked salmon on rye
Gewurztraminer's aromatic intensity and slight sweetness balance well with the heat and complex spices of Asian dishes. Its low acidity softens spicy flavors. This makes it a popular choice for pairing with curry and Szechuan cuisine.
Which soil type in Alsace is most often associated with pronounced minerality in Riesling wines?
Loess
Clay
Sandstone
Granite
Granite soils in Alsace Grand Cru sites, particularly in the Vosges foothills, contribute to the mineral-driven character of Riesling. The coarse, rocky structure ensures good drainage and stress on the vines. This stress enhances flavor concentration and minerality.
Which term indicates a late-harvest wine in Alsace?
Vendange Tardive
Crémant
Edelzwicker
Grand Cru
Vendange Tardive literally means "late harvest," referring to grapes picked later in the season with higher sugar levels. These wines can be dry or sweet but always show greater body and richness. It is distinct from Sélection de Grains Nobles, which denotes botrytized grapes.
What distinguishes Sélection de Grains Nobles from Vendange Tardive on an Alsace label?
Ageing in oak barrels for over two years
Presence of noble rot and very high sugar levels
Use of only red grape varieties
Sparkling wine production method
Sélection de Grains Nobles wines are made from grapes affected by noble rot, which concentrates sugars and flavors. They are much sweeter than Vendange Tardive and come from very low yields. This classification is the pinnacle of sweet wine within Alsace.
Which Alsace grape variety is known for its potential to develop petrol-like tertiary notes with age?
Pinot Gris
Riesling
Sylvaner
Muscat
Alsace Riesling can develop petrol-like tertiary aromas as it ages, alongside honeyed and savory notes. This evolution is due to the grape's high acidity and phenolic structure. Collectors prize older Rieslings for these complex characteristics.
Alsace Sylvaner wines are typically characterized by:
Intense floral aromatics
Light body and fresh acidity
Strong oak influence
High tannin and dark fruit
Sylvaner in Alsace tends to produce light-bodied wines with crisp acidity and subtle fruit flavors. It is often consumed young to showcase its freshness. The variety contrasts with more aromatic Alsace grapes like Gewurztraminer.
The Grand Cru sites of Rosacker and Brand are particularly noted for which soil composition?
Muschelkalk limestone
Pure granite
Volcanic basalt
Sandy loam
Rosacker and Brand Grand Cru vineyards sit on Muschelkalk limestone, contributing to tension and minerality in wines. This sedimentary rock retains heat and encourages slow, even ripening. The resulting wines often show sharp acidity and complexity.
Pinot Gris from Alsace is an excellent pairing for which regional dish?
Beef Bourguignon
Cassoulet
Quiche Lorraine
Bouillabaisse
Pinot Gris in Alsace has enough weight and slight spice to complement the creamy custard and bacon of Quiche Lorraine. Its acidity balances the richness of the dish. This regional harmony makes it a classic pairing.
How does a west-facing slope affect grape ripeness in Alsace compared to east-facing slopes?
Leads to cooler microclimates and higher acidity
Increases risk of frost damage
Shields grapes from morning dew
Provides warmer afternoon sun and riper grapes
West-facing slopes receive more intense afternoon sunlight, which promotes fuller ripeness and higher sugar levels. East-facing slopes get cooler morning sun, preserving acidity. Viticulturists choose slope orientation to balance fruit and acid.
A cool, wet growing season in Alsace is most likely to produce wines with:
Enhanced oak character
Pronounced tannins and dryness
High acidity and restrained fruit
High alcohol and jammy fruit
Cool and wet seasons slow ripening, preserving acidity and limiting sugar accumulation. The resulting wines taste leaner with more subtle fruit expression. This contrasts with warm vintages that yield riper, fuller wines.
On a bottle of Alsace wine, the appearance of just the grape variety name (e.g., Riesling) indicates:
A single-varietal wine
That it is a district-level cuvée
That it is a sparkling wine
A blend of multiple varieties
Alsace labeling regulations require that if a variety name appears alone, the wine is made exclusively from that grape. Blends must use a generic term like Edelzwicker or Gentil. This clarity helps consumers know what to expect.
Which Grand Cru site is renowned for sandstone soils that enhance aromatic intensity in Gewurztraminer?
Rangen
Brand
Furstentum
Schlossberg
Rangen de Thann is a volcanic sandstone Grand Cru site whose soils impart strong aromatics, especially in Gewurztraminer. The porous rock retains heat and promotes noble rot. This combination yields richly scented wines.
In a particularly warm vintage, which Alsace wine classification will show the greatest increase in residual sugar?
Alsace Grand Cru
Crémant d'Alsace
Sélection de Grains Nobles
Pinot Blanc
Warm vintages encourage botrytis development and grapes to overripen in select plots, enhancing sugar concentration for SGN. Sélection de Grains Nobles is defined by its noble rot and very high residual sugar. Other styles are less affected by this concentration.
After 10 years of aging, an Alsace Grand Cru Riesling typically develops which tertiary aroma?
Black cherry
Rhubarb
Petrol
Green pepper
With age, Riesling can develop petrol-like or kerosene aromas due to chemical changes in monoterpenes. This characteristic emerges alongside honeyed and nutty notes. It is a hallmark of mature high-quality Riesling.
Alsace Sélection de Grains Nobles wines are most analogous in style to which other wine region's sweet wines?
Port
Sauternes
Moscato d'Asti
Icewine from Canada
SGN wines are botrytized sweet wines, very similar to Sauternes in terms of noble rot influence and richness. Both styles exhibit concentrated sweetness, honey, and apricot notes. Canadian Icewine and Moscato d'Asti have different production methods and profiles.
Which microclimatic condition on Alsace vineyards most encourages noble rot for SGN production?
Heavy midday rainstorms
Morning mist followed by sunny afternoons
Consistent foggy days without sun
Extreme nighttime temperature drops
Morning mists in lower valleys create humidity that favors botrytis development, while sunny afternoons dry the grapes, preventing outright rot. This cycle is essential for noble rot. Other conditions either inhibit or destroy botrytis.
0
{"name":"Which grape variety is the most widely planted in Alsace?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which grape variety is the most widely planted in Alsace?, Gewurztraminer from Alsace is best known for which flavor profile?, What does the term \"Crémant d'Alsace\" indicate on a wine label?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key Alsace grape varieties and their flavor profiles
  2. Analyze the impact of terroir on Alsace wine characteristics
  3. Evaluate Alsace wine labels and classification terms
  4. Master pairing suggestions for Alsatian wine and cuisine
  5. Apply vintage information to assess wine aging potential

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master the Four Noble Grapes of Alsace - Alsace's superstar lineup - Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat - each brings its own personality to the party. From the crisp elegance of Riesling to the exotic spice of Gewürztraminer, you'll discover a world of flavors in every sip. Dive into Alsace varietals at Wine Folly
  2. Understand the Impact of Terroir - The magic of Alsace starts in the soil: granite, limestone, clay, and even volcanic deposits all leave their mark on the grapes. You'll notice that a granite-grown Riesling often smells like a bouquet of white flowers, while limestone lends a silky mineral streak. Explore terroir secrets at Taste France
  3. Recognize Alsace Wine Classifications - AOC Alsace, AOC Alsace Grand Cru, and AOC Crémant d'Alsace are more than fancy labels - they tell you about quality and production rules. Grand Cru sites follow extra-strict guidelines, while Crémant d'Alsace brings you sparkling delights. Learn about classifications at French Moments
  4. Decipher Alsace Wine Labels - A quick glance at the bottle will reveal the grape, vintage, and often the specific vineyard or "lieu-dit." These details help you predict the wine's style, from zesty youth to age-worthy complexity. Get label decoding tips at Wine Folly
  5. Pairing Alsace Wines with Cuisine - Think of Alsace wines as your culinary sidekick: lean Rieslings shine with seafood, spicy Gewürztraminers tackle bold ethnic dishes, rich Pinot Gris loves foie gras, and juicy Muscat is a playful aperitif. Experiment and discover your own dream match! Find pairing ideas at French Moments
  6. Appreciate the Role of Climate - Alsace enjoys sunny days and cool nights in a semi-continental setting, letting grapes ripen slowly and build aromatic layers. This balance delivers wines that feel bright, fresh, and wonderfully expressive. Learn about climate effects at Vins Alsace
  7. Explore the 51 Grand Cru Vineyards - These prestigious hillsides are the VIP section of Alsace winemaking, each offering a distinct spin on the region's classic grapes. Visiting them is like unlocking a secret map of flavor treasures. Discover Grand Crus at Taste France
  8. Understand the Importance of Vintage - Alsace vintages vary from year to year, shaping how wines age and evolve. A hot summer might yield lush, ripe examples, while a cooler season delivers zippy acidity and elegant structure. Read about vintages at Wine Folly
  9. Recognize the Significance of Late Harvest Wines - Terms like "Vendanges Tardives" and "Sélection de Grains Nobles" signal that grapes were left on the vine longer for extra sugar and depth. These luscious wines can range from gently sweet to decadently botrytized. Uncover late harvest secrets at French Moments
  10. Note the Unique Bottle Shape - Alsace wines come dressed in tall, slim "Flûte d'Alsace" bottles that stand out on any shelf. It's a handy visual clue that you're about to taste something special from France's eastern frontier. See the iconic bottle at Wine Folly
Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Hospitality Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker