Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
Which region is responsible for 80% of Portugal's sparkling wine production?
Barraida
The first Portuguese region to initially adopt the Traditional method of sparkling wine production, Barraida now produces about 80% of Portugal's sparkling wines.
The Arinto grape variety is known by what other name in Portugal's Vinho Verde region?
Pedernã
Arinto, notably grown in Bucelas, Tejo, and Minho, is known by several other names throughout Portugal's many wine regions. Synonyms for this variety include Arinto Galego, Boal Cachudo, Branco Espanhol, Cerceal, Chapeludo, and Pedernã (the latter of which is the name used for in Arinto in Vinho Verde).
Sparkling wine in Germany - called Sekt - owes its creation to techniques developed in what other country?
France
During the 1800s, Germans caught the sparkling wine bug, with many of them traveling to France's Champagne region specifically to learn sparkling winemaking techniques. Famously, some of those travelers never returned, instead founding now-iconic Champagne houses like Piper-Heidsieck, and Krug. But others brought the sparkling wine techniques that they learned in France back to Germany, giving rise to the creation of Sekt.
True or False: Germany ranks 10th globally in Pinot Noir plantings?
False
Germany is one of Pinot Noirs most successful winegrowing locations: the country ranks 3rd globally in plantings of the variety (often locally known as Spätburgunder), behind only France and the United States.
True or False: the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is roughly the same size as Manhattan?
True
The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA - famous for premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir - measures 18 miles long by 1-2 miles wide, making its acreage roughly the size of Manhattan.
In what year was the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA officially recognized?
1991
The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA was officially recognized in 1991. But its winemaking history goes back quite a bit further. The first commercial plantings in the region date back to 1973, and the earliest vinifera plantings date back to the 1790s (by Spanish missionaries at Mission Soledad).
What is the other name for the grape variety Tinta Amarela in Alentejo (and in other southern Portuguese regions)?
Trincadeira
Rich in color, and with good acidity, Tinta Amarela (as it's known in the Douro) is called Trincadeira in southern Portugal. It performs well in hot, dry climates, and is therefore particularly at home in both the Alentejo and Tejo areas of Portugal.
Where does the name for Italy's Nizza DOCG originate?
From a river near the region's best hillside vineyards
The Nizza production area encompasses 18 municipalities in Piedmont, which have been recognized as among the best-suited sites for cultivation of Barbera. The appellation takes its name from the river Nizza, whose nearby hills have been recognized historically as a the region's best for Barbera viticulture.
True or False: The Mâconnais is the only region in Burgundy that does not have a designated vineyard hierarchy?
False
As of 2020, the Mâconnais is no longer the only region in Burgundy without a vineyard hierarchy: on September 3 2020, 22 "climats" in Pouilly-Fuissé were finally given official Premier Cru status.
True or False: Austria's Neusiedlersee DAC permits the production of sweet/dessert wines?
True
Located on the east side of Austria's Lake Neusiedl, the protected designation of origin Neusiedlersee DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) was expanded in 2020 to include sweet wines (designated as Spätlese and Auslese). Additionally, Neusiedlersee DAC Reserve can now be applied to "noble sweet" wines with higher grape ripeness levels (Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese).
