Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
Which country topped the list of world wine imports in 2018?
Germany
In 2018, Germany imported 14.5 million hectoliters of wine (approximately 17.5 liters of wine per person), claiming the #1 spot for wine imports worldwide.
Which of the following is Washington State's 20th American Viticultural Area (AVA)?
Rocky Reach
Located between Chelan and Wenatchee, Rocky Reach straddles the Columbia River within the larger Columbia Valley AVA, and as of 2022 is Washington State's 20th AVA. Rocky Reach covers over 32,000 acres, with eight commercial vineyards covering 117 of those acres. The AVA takes its name from the Rocky Reach Dam and Rocky Reach Reservoir (those in turn taking their names from steamboat captains in the late 1800s, who used the term to describe the rapids within segments—or reaches— of the Columbia River).
As of 2019, what accounted for the majority of Nebbiolo wine production in northern Italy's Langhe and Roero regions?
Barolo
The mighty Barolo rules the Northern Italian red wine scene, not just in the robust wine it produces but also in production volume. As of 2019, 12.5 million bottles of Barolo were made, accounting for the majority of Nebbiolo production in the region. 7.2 million bottles of Langhe Nebbiolo were also made, followed by 4.3 million bottles of Barbaresco, 2.4 million bottles of Nebbiolo d'Alba, and 0.5 million of Roero reds.
True or False: Portugal's Douro grapegrowing region is known for its Schist soils?
True
The vineyards of the Douro are known for a high percentage of fragmented/schist soils. These soils drain water easily, forcing vine roots to penetrate deeper into the vineyards subsoils in search of water.
True or False: Sonoma's West Sonoma Coast AVA was not planted with wine grapes until the 1940s?
False
The West Sonoma Coast AVA (approved in May, 2022) has a long agricultural history that stretches back to the 1880s. However, the area's first vitis vinifera vines were planted there even earlier, in 1817. The region is also well known for its commercial apples production, along with active dairy and ranching industries.
WHich of the following are NOT part of Sonoma's new West Sonoma Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA)?
Petaluma Gap
Newly approved in 2022, the West Sonoma Coast is Sonoma County's 19th AVA, located on the furthest western portion of Sonoma County encompassing the rugged terrain along the Pacific coastline. The new AVA includes three sub regions: Annapolis, Fort Ross-Seaview, and Freestone-Occidental. To the west of course lies the Pacific Ocean, while the shared Sonoma/Mendocino County line forms the AVA's northern boundary. Its southern boundary is marked by the northern boundary of the Petaluma Gap AVA.
What region is responsible for 80% of the sparkling wine production in Portugal?
Bairrada
Made primarily from the Maria Gomes, Bical and Arinto grape varieties, sparkling wine from Bairrada makes up most of Portugal's bubbly production, supplying 80% of the country's sparklers.
True or False: the CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE Prosecco Superiore Rive DOCG is the highest level on the Prosecco DOCG Quality Pyramid?
False
CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE Prosecco Superiore Rive DOCG occupies the second tier from the top on the Prosecco DOCG "quality pyramid." Top honors (and the strictest production requirements) go to the VALDOBBIADENE Superiore di Cartizze DOCG.
What sports star called Oregon Pinot Noir "the greatest wine you can find in America, and maybe not even America, but the world?"
LeBron James
In an interview with Yahoo! Sports in 2017, basketball star LeBron James not only professed his love for fine wine, but singled out Oregon's wine scene for special praise, saying “Oregon Pinot is some of the greatest wines you can find in America, and maybe not even America, but the world.”
True or False: U.S. consumption of Champagne fell from 2020 to 2021?
False
According to the Champagne Bureau, for the first time in decades the United States led all countries globally in shipment volume for Champagne, receiving over 34 million bottles of France's most famous bubbly. That translated to over $872.5 million worth of Champagne, a more than 63 percent increase year-over-year.
