Wine Quiz

Bitter

Amarone is believed to have been first produced by accident when a Recioto dessert wine was instead vinified dry. It takes its name from "amaro," meaning bitter (though it can also mean "unlucky," or "disappointed").

Contributed by Joe Roberts
http://www.1winedude.com/

Terre Siciliane

The Sicilia IGT was promoted to DOC status in 2011 (although, controversially, it did not include the more stringent production requirements that usually accompany such promotions). In its place, the IGT Terre Siciliane was created.

Contributed by Joe Roberts
http://www.1winedude.com/

False

Reuilly produces about sixteen thousand gallons (600 hl) of rosé wine per year, and both Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir grapes may be used.

Contributed by Joe Roberts
http://www.1winedude.com/

True

The Dukes of Beaujeu not only gave the Beaujolais wine region its name, but also were instrumental in making the wine of the area fashionable. Before them, grape-growing and winemaking had been taking place in the Beaujolais region dating back to Roman times, and was progressed in Middle Ages by the Benedictine monks.

Contributed by Joe Roberts
http://www.1winedude.com/

90%

Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG wines (established in 2011) must be made form 90% Sangiovese grapes, and aged for a minimum of 17 months (including 12 months in barrel, and 4 months in bottle). This region of Tuscany first made wine under the Etruscans.

Contributed by Joe Roberts
http://www.1winedude.com/

True

The earliest vines brought into Chile might have come through the port near Itata Valley's city Conception around 1550, making it possibly the first region in Chile to produce wine.

Contributed by Joe Roberts
http://www.1winedude.com/

Syrah

The Elqui Valley sits on the edge of Chile's Atacama Dessert, with vineyards planted at over 2000 meters above sea level. There, Syrah has the most hectares under vine at 111 (with Pedro Jimenez close at 107 hectares, followed by Sauvignon Blanc at 76 hectares).

Contributed by Joe Roberts
http://www.1winedude.com/

Pearl necklace

Madame Bollinger ran the historic Bollinger Champagne house from 1941 to 1973. Famous for her quotes about when to drink Champagne, she is nearly as famous for almost never appearing without her discreet white pearl necklace.

Contributed by Joe Roberts
http://www.1winedude.com/

False

The araignee, or "spider," is a small clip, nicknamed for its shape resembling an abdomen with four curved legs. It's used during harvests in Champagne, placed in the center corner formed by four adjacent grape harvest bins. This interlocks the crates for stability, and also helps to cluster together bins of grapes picked from the same location, for identification before pressing.

Contributed by Joe Roberts
http://www.1winedude.com/

True

The "black wine" of Cahors - Malbec - has had many fans throughout history, including the Russian Orthodox Church, who favored it for communion wine. It was also a favorite of Tsar Peter the Great, who believed that the wine's high tannin content relieved his stomach pains.

Contributed by Joe Roberts
http://www.1winedude.com/