Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
How many "grand cru" vineyard sites exist in Italy's Soave?
Over 40
According to the Soave Consorzio, there are over 40 grand cru vineyards in the region, ranging in size from fewer than 10 hectares (Monticello) to over 780 hectares (Monte Calvarina).
242 million hectoliters of wine was consumed worldwide in 2016. Of the top five wine consuming nations that year, the USA took the top spot with over 318 mh consumed, followed by France, Italy, Germany, and China.
True or False: New vineyards in the Soave Superiore DOCG must be trained using the Espallier systems?
True
The Espalier system (Guyot and Cordon Spur training) must be used for new vineyard plantings in the Soave Superiore DOCG, and they must be planted with a minimum density of 4000 vines per hectare. Vines planted prior to 2002 in the region are permitted to also use the Pergola Inclinate or Pergoletta Veronese vine training methods.
What was the first wine region awarded DOCG status in Italy's Veneto area?
Recioto di Soave
Recioto di Soave achieved DOCG status in 1998, making it the Veneto's first official DOCG. Evidence of sweet wine similar to Recioto di Soave in the region dates all the way back to the 5th Century.
How is the San Luis Obispo wine-growing area classified in the Winkler heat Index?
Region I
Most of the San Luis Obispo area is classified as Region I on the Winkler Index, with an average daily temperature of 70F. Edna Valley, part of the San Luis Obispo wine-growing region, is often regarded as the coolest AVA in all of California.
True or False: The grape varieties Colombard and Muscadelle are planted in Bordeaux?
True
There are planting of Colombard in Bordeuax's Blaye area, producing aromatic wines meant for early consumption. 800 hectares of Muscadelle are planted in Bordeaux, finding its way into some of the region's dry and sweet wines.
True or False: Nearly half of the land on the Portuguese island of Madeira cannot be used for farming?
True
About 47% of the Madeira island’s total land area consists of mountains and forests and cannot be planted. This makes viticulture on the island difficult, requiring hand-harvesting. It also means that the production of Madeira relies on a product - neutral grape spirit for fortification - that cannot be produced on the island due to lack of farming space.
Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District traces its grape growing back to what year?
1851
Oak Knoll is one of the oldest grape growing areas in Napa Valley, dating back to 1851, and having had some of the region's earliest fine wine grape variety plantings. Today, it has the most grapevines of any of Napa Valley's wholly-contained sub-appellations.
Which Founding Father of the USA reportedly remarked, “A few glasses of Madeira wine made anyone feel able to be president"?
John Adams
Madeira was a favorite drink for the Founding Fathers of the US constitution, but it was Adams who mentioned it relating to his presidential duties. He is also reported to have said “I drank Madeira at a great rate and found no inconvenience of it.”
As of 1960, how many acres of Chardonnay were planted in California?
230
As late as 1960, state records show that only 230 acres of Chardonnay were planted in the state of California, 70 of which belonged to Wente. It wasn't until the early 1980s, after California Chardonnay took top honors at the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting, that Chardonnay plantings began to take off in the state, primarily using UC Davis Wente clones 4 and 5.
