Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
Which of the following is the most traditional style of vineyard terracing in Portugal's Douro winegrowing region?
Socalcos
The steepness of Douro's hillsides often necessitates terracing for planting vineyards. The most traditional style is Socalcos, terraces supported by schist walls built by hand (and requiring hand-harvesting and maintenance). Patamares are more modern terraces, built since the 1970’s, cut into the hillsides using bulldozers. Vinha ao alto are vertical rows of vines running perpendicularly up the hill, allowing for mechanized harvesting (and only appropriate for hills with gradients under 30%).
What is the most planted grape variety in Portugal's Douro DOC?
Touriga Francesa
While Touriga Nacional gets much of the press when it comes to Douro wines, and Tinta Roriz (a.k.a. Tempranillo) is probably the most widely known grape variety grown in the Douro, according to AXA Millésimes the most planted variety in the Douro DOC is Tinta Francesa. It gives consistent yields, with resulting wines that are perfumed in aroma and deep in fruit flavors.
True or False: For a Cava to qualify as "Cava de Paraje Calificado," it must be aged for a minimum of 36 months?
True
To qualify as Cava de Paraje Calificado - the highest Cava designation as of 2021 - a Spanish sparkling wine must come from vines grown in small qualified areas in the Cava production region, and be aged for a minimum of 36 months before release on the market.
As of 2020, how much of Alsace's wine grape vineyard production area is Organic?
32%
According to Wines of Alsace, as of 2020 France's Alsace region can boast an impressive 32% (just over 12,000 acres) of its vineyard area as Organic, with 585 wine producers taking part in the designation.
Which of the following is mandatory for a wine to carry the Prosecco Rose designation?
All of the above
In order for a Prosecco to be able to carry a Rose designation (introduced to markets worldwide in 2021), the sparkling wine must be made with 10-15% Pinot Nero grapes (with the remainder predominantly Prosecco's traditional Glera variety) in Italy's Prosecco growing region, with grape yields that are more restrictive than those permitted under normal Prosecco production. Additionally, the wine must carry a vintage designation (Millesimato).
True or False: The area dedicated to white grape plantings in Spain's Rioja has increased over the last 30 years?
False
The area dedicated to white grape plantings in Rioja has decreased substantially over the last 30 years, going from just over 9000 hectares in 1985 (25% of Rioja's vines in production) to 3,764 hectares by 2012 (just 6% of the vine total).
What percent of the total value of Spanish D.O. wine exports are from Rioja?
37%
Rioja is probably Spain's most recognized wine region, but it doesn't make up the majority of the country's D.O. wine export value. But Rioja is no slouch, either - it accounts for an impressive 37% of those exports.
True or False: Pinot Noir was originally introduced in Chile in order to make sparkling wine?
True
In the 1870s, Valdivieso founded the first sparkling wine house in Chile, bringing over Pinot Noir clones (now referred to as the Valdivieso Clone) specifically for the purpose of making sparkling wine. Valdivieso remains the most important sparkling wine brand in Chile, accounting for over 60% of market share).
Which of the following is the most planted white wine grape variety in Chile?
Sauvignon Blanc
Chile grows several white wine grape varieties, including Semillon, Muscat, Riesling, Sauvignon Gris, and Albarino. But Sauvignon Blanc reigns supreme there - it is the #1 wine grape in Chile, accounting for just over 11% of all plantings. Following in second place is Chardonnay, which makes up 8.2%
