Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
True or False: New Zealand grows about 25 different wine grape varieties?
False
New Zealand is most famous for Sauvignon Blanc (and is growing in popularity for its Pinot Noir), but the country has at least 50 different wine grape varieties planted. Among them are Pinot Gris, Semillon, Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.
New Zealand accounts for what percentage of total world Sauvignon Blanc production?
17%
New Zealand only produces 1% of the world's wine, but it accounts for 17% of total Sauvignon Blanc production. The relatively small country has wine exports valued in the billions of dollars, and as of 2020 enjoys one of the highest average bottle prices in the U.S. wine market.
True or False: In 2020, Cabernet Sauvignon became the top-selling varietal wine in the USA for the first time?
True
According to 2020 Nielson sales scan data, Cabernet Sauvignon became the number one selling varietal wine in both volume and value in the USA for the first time, supplanting Chardonnay for the top spot with $3.2 billion in sales.
Which of the following is an official DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) in Italy's Piedmont?
Terre Alfieri
As of October 2020, Terre Alfieri is officially recognized as a DOCG in Italy's Piedmont region. The production area includes 11 municipalities, 7 of which are in the province of Asti. The DOCG contains Terre Alfieri Arneis (including a Superiore category) for white wines, and and Terre Alfieri Nebbiolo (including Superiore and Riserva) for reds.
True or False: The USA consumes more Moscato d'Asti than any other country?
True
According to the Consorzio per la Tutela dell'Asti, the USA consumes the most Moscato d'Asti, sipping up 67% of production. This outpaces even Moscato d'Asti's home country of Italy, which consumes 10% of the production.
According to a Wine Intelligence survey, what is the most-consumed red wine variety in the USA?
Merlot
According to an August 2018 Wine Intelligence survey of more than 4,000 wine consumers across all ages and drinking preferences, the most-consumed red wine variety in the USA was Merlot. Merlot's popularity is robust - it is the most widely planted wine grape variety in France's Bordeaux, and the second most planted wine grape variety in the United States.
What is the smallest American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Washington State?
Candy Mountain
At just 815 acres, Candy Mountain is the 16th and smallest (and, as of September 2020, the newest ) AVA in Washington state. It sits to the southeast of Red Mountain, and is located within the Yakima Valley AVA (and the larger Columbia Valley AVA).
What is one of the main differences between German VDP Sekt and Sekt Prestige sparkling wines?
Maturation aging requirements
Germany's new (as of 2020) VDP Sekt sparkling wine requirements are similar between the Sekt and Sekt Prestige tiers, with a few exceptions. One of those exceptions is the aging requirement for sparkling wines carrying the VDP Sekt Prestige designation: a minimum of 36 months (versus a 15 month minimum for VDP Sekt).
True or False: Chile has the most acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon outside of France?
True
Over a third of Chile's vineyard acreage is dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon - roughly 109,000 acres. This represents 15% of the entire world's plantings of teh grape variety, and puts Chile in the number 2 spot worldwide in Cabernet Sauvignon acreage (after only France).
True or False: Italy's Brachetto d’Acqui acheived DOCG status (Denomination of Origin Controlled and Guaranted) before 1999?
True
Brachetto d’Acqui acheived DOCG status in 1996. Among the most recognizable wines of Piedmont, Brachetto d’Acqui restricts its area of production to only about 1,200 hectares in the hills of the Upper Monferrato area, distributed among 26 municipalities around Acqui Terme.
