Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
Where does Oregon rank among U.S. states in certified Biodynamic vineyard acreage?
First
According to the Oregon Wine Board, Oregon's reputation as a U.S. leader and pioneer in Biodynamic viticulture is well-placed. Oregon currently ranks #1 among U.S. states in certified Biodynamic vineyard acreage, and accounts for an impressive 52% of all Biodynamic vineyards in the country.
True or False: Oregon Currently Grows More Than 80 Different Wine Grape Varieties?
True
According to the Oregon Wine Board, Oregon grows 82 different wine grape varieties across the state. This ability to create high quality wines from many different grape varieties has helped Oregon to outpace the growth of other US wine regions. Nielsen data has shown that U.S. retail sales of Oregon wines (as measured in dollars), rose almost 14% in 2019 (compared to total table wine category growing just 0.9% for the same period).
True or False: Quality terms such as “superior,” “reserva especial” or “reserva privada” have strict legal definitions for use on Chilean wine labels?
False
Just like in the United States (with terms such as "private reserve", "reserve" or "winemaker's reserve"), quality terms on Chilean wine labels (“superior,” “reserva especial” or “reserva privada”) are descriptive only and have no definitive legal meaning. When it comes to including “reserva” and “gran reserva,” however, many Chilean producers follow the aging regulations required for using those terms in Spain.
The first recorded vine plantings in Chile date back to what year?
1544
The first recorded plantings of vines in Chile date back to 1544, making it one of the oldest viticultural areas in the "New World" (with oly Mexico beating it by about a decade. In a letter dated September 4, 1545 from Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia (the first royal governor of Chile), to Charles V of Spain, Valdivia mentions that the vines are thriving - and asks the king to send even more.
True or False: Ribolla Gialla is the grape used in most of the produciton of Italy's Collio DOC wine?
False
Ribolla Gialla accounts for 9% of the wine production in Italy's hilly Collio DOC. While popular, its production is outpaced by several other varieties in the region, including Pinot Grigio (29%), Sauvignon Blanc (19%), and Friulano (15%).
Which of the following AVAs does NOT sit on the eastern side of Sonoma County ?
Rockpile
Established in 2002, the Rockpile AVA contains 15,000 acres of land, with just 160 acres of it planted to vine. It overlaps the Dry Creek Valley AVA in the northern part of Sonoma County.
According to Wine of Georgia, the Republic of Georgia is home to how many indigenous grape varieties?
More than 525
The country of Georgia lies on the eastern edge of the Black Sea, and historically has been a crossroads between Europe and Asia. While only slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Connecticut, Georgia is a hot-spot of bio-diversity, and supports at least 525 different indigenous grape varieties.
True or False: Georgians have made wine in qvevri (egg-shaped clay vessels) continuously for 8,000 years?
True
In 2015, archaeologists working in Georgia discovered the remains of ancient, egg-shaped clay vessels (qvevri) containing residue of cultivated grapes. Rearchers were able to date these artifacts to roughly 6000 BCE, during the Neolithic Period. A research report published by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences described the discovery as possibly the earliest evidence of human viniculture and winemaking. Georgians have been making wine in qvevri continuously for about 8,000 years. These large vessels (usually able to contain 1,000 or more liters) are buried in the ground, to help keep temperatures constant during fermentation and aging.
Which of the following is the most traditional style of vineyard terracing in Portugal's Douro winegrowing region?
Socalcos
The steepness of Douro's hillsides often necessitates terracing for planting vineyards. The most traditional style is Socalcos, terraces supported by schist walls built by hand (and requiring hand-harvesting and maintenance). Patamares are more modern terraces, built since the 1970’s, cut into the hillsides using bulldozers. Vinha ao alto are vertical rows of vines running perpendicularly up the hill, allowing for mechanized harvesting (and only appropriate for hills with gradients under 30%).
What is the most planted grape variety in Portugal's Douro DOC?
Touriga Francesa
While Touriga Nacional gets much of the press when it comes to Douro wines, and Tinta Roriz (a.k.a. Tempranillo) is probably the most widely known grape variety grown in the Douro, according to AXA Millésimes the most planted variety in the Douro DOC is Tinta Francesa. It gives consistent yields, with resulting wines that are perfumed in aroma and deep in fruit flavors.
