Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
The first recorded plantings of grape vines in Chile dates back to what year?
1544
The first recorded plantings of grape vines in Chile dates all the back to 1544, making it one of the very oldest viticultural areas in the "New World" (it is bested only by Mexico, which had grapes planted about a decade or so earlier than Chile).
Which winegrowing country has more own-rooted vines than any other country worldwide?
Chile
According to Wines of Chile, Chile remains the only phylloxera-free country in the world. As a result, many of its vines do not need to be grafted onto American rootstock to protect them from that dangerous louse, so Chile has more own-rooted vines than any other country worldwide.
Which Italian DOC spans the provinces of Brescia, Mantua, and Verona, and overlooks the country's largest lake?
Garda
First recognized in 1996, and situated between Lombardy and Veneto, the Garda DOC spans the Italian provinces of Brescia, Mantua, and Verona, and overloks Lake Garda (Italy's largest lake).
True or False: the Humboldt Current is essential for quality winegrowing in Chilean coastal wine regoins?
True
The Humboldt Current affects the coasts of South America from the 50th to the 4th parallels, allowing for grape ripening in areas of Chile that would otherwise be consider tropical. Cooling influences from the Humboldt Current, such as fog, help the grapes achieve long ripening curves, thus allowing for cooler-climate winegrowing.
The USA's first international Gold Medal winning wine was from what wine region?
Livermore Valley
California's Livermore Valley took home the USA's first international gold medal for wine in 1889, when a Livermore wine won the Gold at the Paris Exposition, effectively putting California on the world wine scene as an international contender.
True or False: Uruguay has vines planted over some of the oldest rock on Earth?
True
The vineyards of Maldonado in Uruguay are planted above some of the oldest rock on earth: the Río de La Plata craton (an ancient part of the Earth's continental crust), which is at least 2.5 billion years old.
True or False: The Ministry of Agriculture has given its official approval to over 80 new UGAs (Additional Geographic Units) in Italy's Alto Adige?
True
In Italy's northern wine region of Alto Adige, the Ministry of Agriculture has in 2024 given its official approval to 86 new UGAs (Additional Geographic Units), which according to WineNews.it have been "identified and documented down to the tiniest details" of their terroir. These include sites such as Graun, Penon, Penon-Hofstatt, Penon-Kofl, Glen, Mazon, Frauenrigl and Brenntal. Wines from the designated sites are to be made with 25% of the quantity of grapes permitted for the larger Alto Adige DOC.
Which of the following Spanish wine regions borders France, just south of Roussillon?
Empordà
The north-eastern Spanish wine region Empordà sits right at the southern border of France, and shares a similar Mediterranean climate with nearby Roussillon. Winemaking in Empordà dates all the way back to at least the 6th Century BC, and today it is primarily known for its Garnacha-based reds.
How many wineries are located iun Australia's Victoria region?
800+
Although it's technically Australia's smallest state, Victoria is one of the country's most diverse wine growing areas. It boasts 21 wine regions, housing over 800 wineries.
