Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
What are the defining characteristics of Austria's Wachau wine region?
All of the above
Austria's Wachau wine region is notable for its steep vineyards, which grow along the Danube River from Spitz to the Loiben Basin. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wachau's dry stone terraces have allowed for viticulture for more than 1000 years, acting as a means to protect the vineyards from erosion.
The largest contiguous St. Laurent vineyard in the world is located in Austria. What is its name?
Ried Stiftsbreite
Ried Stiftsbreite, located in Tattendorf, Austria, can claim to be the world's largest contiguous planting of the St. Laurent grape, having planted roughly two kilometers of St. Laurent vines.
The Zierfandler grape variety is also known by what other name?
Spätrot
Zierfandler is sometimes called Spätrot, a name that comes from the reddish color that develops on the sun-exposed sides of the grape when it ripens on the vine.
Of the following grapes, which is NOT a prominent variety grown in Austria's Thermenregion?
Blaufränkisch
A cross between Blauer Zimmettraube and Weißer Heunisch, the red Blaufränkisch grape was first documented in the 18th Century in Austria (in what was then Germany, where it was called Lemberger). In that country, it is grown primarily in the Burgenland and eastern Niederösterreich regions.
True or False: The origins of the name of Italy's Barbaresco wine region are well known?
False
The origin of the name Barbaresco (in Italy's Piedmont region), are unclear. It may be linked to the 10th Century barbarians who invaded the Langhe area, or it could be derived from "Barbarica Sylva." The latter is a nickname given by the Romans to the wilderness used as shelter by the Ligurians. The first written record of the name used for wine purposes comes from 1799, when Von Melas ordered a "carra" of Barbaresco to be used in celebration of the defeat of the French in Genola by Austrian troops.
Which of the following grapes makes up the majority part of a DOC in the Molise region of east-central Italy?
Tintilia
D.O.C. Tintilia del Molise wines must be comprised of 95% Tintilia grapes. For many years, Tintilia was confused with Carignan, and while its origins are still unclear (it might have originated on the Iberian peninsula rather than in Molise), DNA investigations have shown Molise's Tintilia to be distinct from the grape varieties grown elsewhere (in Campania, Sardegna, and Spain) that share its name.
Which of the following Burgundy wine areas contain no Grand Cru sites?
All of the above
The relatively large Savigny-les-Beaune, as well as Meursalt (famous for its whites) and Pommard and Volnay (famous for their reds) contain no Grand Cru sites. They are, however, still quite justifiably famous for many of the individual wines produced within their borders.
What percent of Burgundy's wine production is made from the region's Grand Crus?
2 percent
Burgundy's vineyard classification system became official in 1935, designating 33 Grand Crus, which account for about 2 percent of the region's total wine production. Appellations Villages/Comunales produce about 46 percent, with Appellations Regionales (identified as Burgundy on the label) making up the remaining 52 percent.
True or False: France's Duché-d'Uzès AOC can produce only red wines?
False
Duché-d'Uzès, which achieved AOC status in 2012, permits Red, White, and Rose wine production. The reds are based primarily on Grenache and Syrah, while the whites are dominated by Grenache blanc and Viognier.
Which of the following French wine regions has the largest amount of hectares planted for wine grapes?
Provence
Between Beaujolais, Provence, Alsace, and Roussillon, picturesque Provence has the largest number of hectares under vine, at almost 27,000 ha (producing about 1.17 million hectolitres of wine) as of 2017.
