Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
Which grape is used to produce Germany’s famous Riesling wines?
Riesling
Riesling is Germany’s flagship grape, known for its versatility and ability to range from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. It produces wines with high acidity, floral and citrus notes, and the potential to age beautifully over decades.
Which grape is the main variety in Argentina’s signature red wine, Malbec?
Malbec
Malbec thrives in Argentina, particularly in Mendoza, where high-altitude vineyards help create bold, deeply colored wines with flavors of blackberry, plum, chocolate, and spice. It originally hails from France but has found global fame in South America.
Which white grape is responsible for the wines of Sancerre in France’s Loire Valley?
Sauvignon Blanc
Sancerre is a highly regarded Sauvignon Blanc-based wine from the Loire Valley, known for its crisp acidity, citrus and green apple notes, and flinty minerality. It’s one of the most famous expressions of the grape.
Which grape is the primary variety in Rioja, Spain’s most famous red wine?
Tempranillo
Rioja wines are primarily made from Tempranillo, known for its balanced acidity, moderate tannins, and flavors of red fruit, leather, and tobacco. It’s often blended with Garnacha (Grenache) and aged in oak for complexity.
Which grape is used to make Barolo, the renowned Italian red wine?
Nebbiolo
Barolo, known as the “King of Wines” in Italy, is made exclusively from the Nebbiolo grape in the Piedmont region. Nebbiolo produces high-acid, tannic wines with aromas of roses, tar, and red fruit that develop complex flavors over time.
The primary white grape used in Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc.
Why Sauvignon Blanc in Sancerre?
Sancerre, located in the Loire Valley of France, is famous for producing crisp, aromatic, and refreshing wines made primarily from this grape.
Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre is known for its bright acidity and distinctive flavors of citrus, green apple, gooseberry, and sometimes a touch of minerality, often with herbaceous or grassy notes.
Sancerre’s cool climate and unique terroir help enhance the fresh, zesty character of Sauvignon Blanc, making it one of the most beloved white wines in the world.
“Old World” refers to wine regions with a long history of winemaking, primarily in Europe. These regions have centuries-old traditions, techniques, and styles that have been passed down over generations.
Key Features of Old World Wines:
Regions: Typically includes countries like France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, and parts of Greece and Hungary.
Wine Styles: Old World wines often focus on expressing terroir—the influence of the land, climate, and local conditions—rather than showcasing bold, fruit-forward flavors. They tend to be more subtle, earthy, and acidity-driven.
Winemaking Traditions: The techniques in Old World wine regions often prioritize tradition and regulation, with strict controls on grape-growing and wine production.
Examples of Old World Wines:
Bordeaux (France) – Known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends.
Chianti (Italy) – Famous for Sangiovese wines.
Riesling from Germany – Crisp and aromatic whites.
Old World wines often feel more connected to their place of origin, and they carry a sense of history and craftsmanship in every bottle.
Which famous wine region is known for Barolo and Barbaresco?
Piedmont
The famous wine region known for Barolo and Barbaresco is Piedmont, located in the northwestern part of Italy.
Why Piedmont?
Both Barolo and Barbaresco are made from the Nebbiolo grape, and Piedmont's climate and terroir are perfect for producing these complex, tannic, and aromatic wines.
Barolo is often referred to as the "King of Wines," known for its power, depth, and aging potential, while Barbaresco is often seen as the "Queen," offering a slightly more elegant, refined version of Nebbiolo.
Famous Features:
Barolo – Rich, full-bodied, with flavors of dark fruit, rose, tar, and earthy notes. Requires aging to soften its tannins.
Barbaresco – Lighter and more accessible, with a slightly smoother texture but still with the distinct Nebbiolo character.
Piedmont also produces other top wines, including Barbera and Dolcetto, but Barolo and Barbaresco are the crown jewels!
What is the traditional bottle shape for a Bordeaux wine?
A straight-sided bottle with high shoulders
The traditional bottle shape for a Bordeaux wine is called a Bordeaux bottle. It has straight sides, high shoulders, and a deep punt (the indentation at the bottom).
Key Features of the Bordeaux Bottle:
Straight sides – Gives the bottle a sleek, clean look.
High shoulders – The characteristic feature that distinguishes Bordeaux bottles from other wine bottles (like Burgundy bottles, which have sloped shoulders).
Punt – A deep indentation at the bottom of the bottle, which helps in structural integrity and sediment collection in older wines.
This bottle shape is typically used for red and white Bordeaux wines, including blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s considered a classic and is widely used beyond Bordeaux for similar wine styles.
Which winemaking technique involves leaving grape skins in contact with white wine juice to create an “orange wine”?
Extended skin contact
The winemaking technique that involves leaving grape skins in contact with white wine juice to create orange wine is called skin contact or maceration.
Typically, white wines are made by separating the skins from the juice right after crushing. But in orange wine, the skins (which contain tannins, color, and flavor compounds) are left in contact with the juice for an extended period, often from several days to months.
This process gives the wine its amber or orange color and imparts more complex flavors such as spice, herbs, and sometimes a tannic, slightly bitter note.
Where It's Done:
Orange wines are mostly made in regions like Georgia (where it has ancient roots), parts of Italy, Slovenia, and even in some areas of Australia and California.
