Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
To qualify for Tuscany's Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG, what percent of the wine must be made from Sangiovese grapes?
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.
True or False: Historians believe that the Itata Valley was Chile's first wine region?
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.
What is the most widely planted grape variety in Chile's Elqui Valley?
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).
What fashion accessory was consistently used by Champagne icon Elizabeth Bollinger?
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.
True or False: The "araignee" tool is used during the fermentation process in Champagne?
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.
True or False: Malbec from France's Cahors region was once favored as communion wine?
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.
Which of the following is not one of the nested AVAs within Napa Valley?
Knights Valley
Napa Valley has sixteen sub-AVAs, but Knights Valley is technically within the Sonoma County AVA, though it sits quite close to Napa Valley's Calistoga area.
Monks in ancient France put the byproducts of winemaking and viticulture for which of the following uses?
All of the above
In ancient times, monks in France maximized their use of anything related to the vine. Spoiled wine was employed to make vinegar, and grapes that didn't make the cut for winemaking were either eaten or used to make verjuice for pickling and preserving other foods. Additionally, grape seeds often were used for their oil (in soap-making), and vine leaves made their way into cattle feed.
True or False: Medieval physicians in France recommended wine for its blood health benefits?
True
Henri de Mondeville, a French surgeon in the 14th century, is known to have stressed the benefits of wine for the blood. He was noted for mentioning that such wine (white, rose, or red) should be of the highest quality available (as judged by aroma and flavors).
True or False: Terre di Pisa DOC Rosso wines must be made 100% from Sangiovese?
False
Terre di Pisa Rosso wines can be made from a minimum of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, and/or Syrah. Sangiovese from the DOC must be made with a minimum of 95% Sangiovese grapes.
