Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
True or False: wine-growing in the Arroyo Grande AVA began before 1900?
True
Zinfandel was planted in the warmer, eastern portion of San Luis Obispo's Arroyo Grande AVA as far back as the 1880s. The area has since been planted through its western, sea-facing edge (less than four miles from the Pacific ocean) with other varieties, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
True or False: Alsace's Colmar is one of the driest towns in all of France?
True
Colmar is widely considered the unofficial capitol of the Alsatian wine route, and is the third-largest commune of the Alsace region. It also happens to be among France's driest spots, seeing only about 607 mm (24 inches) or rain annually. Colmar's dry, sunny climate, protected by its proximity to mountains, makes it an ideal spot within Alsace for wine-growing.
The name Katzenthal, where Alsace's Grand Cru Wineck-Schlossberg is located, is named after what animal?
Cats
Alsace's Katzenthal translates to "Valley of the cats," and houses the Grand Cru Wineck-Schlossberg, which primarily produces Riesling, as well as Muscat and Pinot Gris.
Alsace's Rosacker Grand Cru site might be named after a wild rose that likely grew abundantly at the edges of the vineyard site in the past. However, another theory is that the name derives from the heavy soil (Acker), which required the use of horses (Ross) for plowing. Taxes on the area's wines date back to at least 1483.
What is the most widely planted grape variety in the Cognac Delimited Region of France?
Ugni Blanc
The base wine for Cognac must be at least 90% Ugni Blanc (more commonly known as Trebbiano), and it is unsurprisingly the most widely planted grape in the region. The base wines typically reach high acidity and low (around 9%) alcohol levels before they are distilled.
The terms Hors d'Age and Napoleon are used for what designation of Cognac?
X.O.
Hors d'Age and Napoleon are also known as X.O. (Extra Old) Cognac, in which the youngest eau-de-vie must be at least 6 years old (starting in 2018, however, the requirement will be 10 years).
Which region is responsible for the highest percentage of Cognac production?
Fins Bois
Fins Bois is the region that produces the highest percentage of Cognac, at just over 42 percent. The area typically produces Cognac that is fruity, intense, smooth, and meant for quicker aging.
Norisoprenoids accumulate in wine grapes during which stage?
Ripening
Norisoprenoids are aromatic compounds important to the individual varietal characteristics of wine grapes. They accumulate during ripening, and bind to the sugars in grapes, but eventually break down as the grapes reach maturity. They are typically released during fermentation, and as wines age.
Edelweisser Tokayer, Mehlweiss, and Seestock are synonyms for which grape variety?
Furmint
The Furmint grape, long a key component of Hungary's fabled sweet wines (and increasingly vinified into dry versions), has dozens of synonyms worldwide, including Moslovac (in Croatia), Sipon (in Slovenia), and Zopfner (in Germany).
True or False: the Soave Colli Scaligeri Superiore DOCG is named in honor of the unification of Italy in the 19th Century?
False
The Soave Colli Scaligeri Superiore DOCG takes its name from the Scaligeri family, the former Lords of Verona who owned much of the nearby hillsides during the 13th and 14th centuries.
