Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
What does "botrytis cinerea" contribute to wine?
It creates noble rot, which concentrates sweetness in certain wines
Noble rot (a.k.a. Botrytis cinerea) is a beneficial fungus that affects wine grapes under the right conditions, concentrating their sugars and flavors to produce some of the world's most famous sweet wines.
How It Works:
It thrives in humid, misty mornings followed by dry, sunny afternoons, causing grapes to shrivel and intensifying their natural sweetness.
The fungus pierces the grape skins, evaporating water and concentrating sugars, acids, and flavors.
Famous Noble Rot Wines:
Sauternes (France) – Think Château d'Yquem, rich and honeyed.
Tokaji Aszú (Hungary) – Known as the "Wine of Kings."
Beerenauslese & Trockenbeerenauslese (Germany & Austria) – Lush, golden, and full of apricot and honey notes.
Flavors & Aromas:
Expect honey, apricot, marmalade, ginger, saffron, and nuts—a complex, luxurious profile!
While noble rot creates some of the world’s most prized dessert wines, its evil twin (grey rot) destroys grapes in damp conditions.
Which wine is often described as having aromas of petrol or gasoline as it ages?
Riesling
The petrol (or kerosene) aroma in Riesling is a natural characteristic that develops as the wine ages. It comes from a compound called 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN).
Why Does Riesling Smell Like Petrol?
Aging – TDN becomes more noticeable as Riesling matures, often appearing in well-aged bottles.
Sun Exposure – Grapes grown in warmer, sunnier climates tend to develop more TDN.
Ripeness & Winemaking – Highly ripe grapes, extended bottle aging, and screw cap closures can enhance petrol notes.
In small amounts, petrol adds complexity and is prized in high-quality Rieslings, especially from Germany (Mosel, Rheingau). Too much can overpower the wine, but balance is key!
Love it or hate it, petrol in Riesling is one of those unique wine quirks that make it so interesting!
The Douro Valley, located in northern Portugal, is one of the world’s oldest and most stunning wine regions. It’s best known for producing Port wine, but it also makes fantastic dry red and white wines.
What’s the term for gently rotating wine in a glass to enhance its aromas?
Swirling
Swirling wine in a glass helps release its aromas by exposing it to oxygen and allowing volatile compounds to evaporate. This enhances the wine’s bouquet, making it easier to detect different scents and flavors. It also softens harsh alcohol notes, giving a more balanced and enjoyable tasting experience.
What does the term “dry” mean when referring to wine?
The wine has no sweetness
In wine terminology, "dry" has a specific meaning—it refers to a wine with little to no residual sugar, meaning it’s not sweet. The less sugar left after fermentation, the drier the wine. It’s not about taste or texture but the actual level of sweetness.
What are the most common grape varieties used to make Champagne?
All of the above
The three main grapes for Champagne are Chardonnay, as well as Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the only two red grapes in the region. The three varieties account for about 99% of the region’s plantings.
But did you know that there are eight permitted varieties that can be grown in Champagne?
The others are Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier , and Arbane, all white varieties that make up less than .3% of plantings.
And, most recently, in 2021, Champagne producers were allowed to start planting Voltis, a white, fungus-resistant hybrid grape.
Since 2020, how often must candidate wine producers reapply for Crus Bourgeois Classification staus in France's Médoc?
Every 5 years
Since 2020, candidate producers in France's Médoc must re-apply every five years to the Crus Bourgeois Classification (which includes the levels of Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel).
True or False: While it is known for wine production, Spain's Empordà region is also known as the home of famous artist Salvador Dalí?
True
Salvador Dalí was born in Figueres in Catalonia, an important city in the Empordà winegrowing region of Spain. The area became known as a haven for Empordà has been the cradle for several schools of art, primarily Surrealism, also hosting artists such as Joan Massanet and Angel Planells.
Garnatxa tinta and Samsó are the principal red wine grapes in what Spanish DO?
Empordà
Empordà in Spain's Catalonia area sits near what is largely considered sparkling Cava territory. However, Empordà is better known for its red wines made from Samsó (Carignan) and Garnatxa tinta (Grenache).
True or False: Chile is home to 30% of the world’s production of Cabernet Sauvignon?
False
Chile is home to 15% of the world’s production of Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon does loom large over Chilean wine production, however; the variety accounts for over 30% of the country's wine, making it Chile's number one wine grape.
