Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
Which red wine variety is the least planted in Spain's Rioja?
Maturana Tinta
It is no surprise that Tempranillo makes up most of the red wine grape plantings in Spain's Rioja (over 87%). Garnacha takes Rioja's number two spot among reds at over 7%. Coming in a distant 5th in this list is Maturana Tinta, making up just 0.3% of Rioja's red wine plantings.
True or False: Over 50% of American wine drinkers are women?
True
According to research by Master of Wine Dr. Liz Thach and the Wine Market Council, women lead the charge among American wine drinkers. As of 2019 54% of American wine drinkers are women.
True or False: The Goose Gap AVA is now Washington State's 19th official American Viticultural Area?
True
As of July 1, 2021, Washington’s 19th American Viticultural Area is The Goose Gap AVA. Goose Gap contains a total of 8,129 acres, wholly located within the Yakima Valley AVA and the larger Columbia Valley AVA. It is described by the Washington State Wine Commission as "the only large vineyard development in the lower Yakima Valley to be planted dominantly on north and northeast slopes."
In what year was Chilean "Merlot" properly identifed as actually being Carménère ?
1994
In 1994, while visiting Carmen's vineyard in Chile's Maipo winegrowing region, Jean-Michel Boursiquot spotted the twisted stamens of vines that could not have been Merlot, but were designated as Merlot plantings. He identified the vines as being the (thought to be) near-extinct Carménère variety. Thus began the end of Chile's mislabeling of Carménère as Merlot—and helped set the stage for the launch of what would become Chile's signature red wine grape variety.
Which of Uruguay's wine production zones houses the majority of the country's wineries?
South
Influenced by the Rio de la Plata (one of the world's largest river basins), Uruguay's South Zone boasts 70% of the country's wineries. It contains Canelones, regarded as the heart of Uruguayan viticulture, as well as Montevideo (where the country's oldest vines can be found), and San Jose.
Which country accounts for the most area of Blaufränkisch plantings worldwide?
Hungary
While Austrian and German Blaufränkisch probably get most of the wine media coverage, Hungary currently has the most hectares devoted to Blaufränkisch (aka Lemberger) worldwide, accounting for over 42% of the world's plantings. Austria and Germany come in at the number 2 and 3 spots, respectively.
Where does Oregon rank among U.S. states in certified Biodynamic vineyard acreage?
First
According to the Oregon Wine Board, Oregon's reputation as a U.S. leader and pioneer in Biodynamic viticulture is well-placed. Oregon currently ranks #1 among U.S. states in certified Biodynamic vineyard acreage, and accounts for an impressive 52% of all Biodynamic vineyards in the country.
True or False: Oregon Currently Grows More Than 80 Different Wine Grape Varieties?
True
According to the Oregon Wine Board, Oregon grows 82 different wine grape varieties across the state. This ability to create high quality wines from many different grape varieties has helped Oregon to outpace the growth of other US wine regions. Nielsen data has shown that U.S. retail sales of Oregon wines (as measured in dollars), rose almost 14% in 2019 (compared to total table wine category growing just 0.9% for the same period).
True or False: Quality terms such as “superior,” “reserva especial” or “reserva privada” have strict legal definitions for use on Chilean wine labels?
False
Just like in the United States (with terms such as "private reserve", "reserve" or "winemaker's reserve"), quality terms on Chilean wine labels (“superior,” “reserva especial” or “reserva privada”) are descriptive only and have no definitive legal meaning. When it comes to including “reserva” and “gran reserva,” however, many Chilean producers follow the aging regulations required for using those terms in Spain.
The first recorded vine plantings in Chile date back to what year?
1544
The first recorded plantings of vines in Chile date back to 1544, making it one of the oldest viticultural areas in the "New World" (with oly Mexico beating it by about a decade. In a letter dated September 4, 1545 from Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia (the first royal governor of Chile), to Charles V of Spain, Valdivia mentions that the vines are thriving - and asks the king to send even more.
