Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
True or False: It took twenty-five years after the area's first plantings for Oregon's Ribbon Ridge to become an official American Viticultural Area?
True
Ribbon Ridge, contained within the Chehalem Mountains AVA, became an official AVA in 2005. According to the Oregon Wine Board, Harry Peterson-Nedry planted the first wine grapes on Ribbon Ridge at Ridgecrest Vineyards in 1980, 25 years before the area became an AVA. The first commercial vineyard in the area was established in 1982, when 54 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were planted, with Yamhill Valley Vineyards using those grapes to make wine shortly after, in 1985.
Which of the following American Viticultural Areas is part of the Willamette Valley AVA?
Van Duzer Corridor
The Van Duzer Corridor AVA, which became official in January of 2019, is contained within the Willamette Valley AVA, approximately 50 miles from Portland and 40 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. The AVA, which has predominantly marine sedimentary soils, takes its name from the Van Duzer Corridor, a Coast Range break that channels in strong afternoon winds.
In the 1700s, which Rhone Cru began branding their wines with "C.d.R." on their barrels to protect against fraud and to certify their contents?
Lirac
Lirac wine in the 16th Century was exported to Paris, Holland, and England. In 1737, a kingly order demanded that casks of Lirac wine shipped from the river port of Roquemaure needed to be branded with the letters C.d.R. (representing "Cotes du Rhone"), an early form of guaranteeing the origin of the wine from the region.
True or False: Rhone Valley vineyards represent over 20 percent of all French vineyard plantings?
False
Rhone Valley vineyards represent approximately 9 percent of all of the vineyard volume in France. The area does, however, rank as the second largest French AOC wine region by volume.
In what year was California's Santa Clara Valley recognized as an AVA (American Viticultural Area)?
1989
The Santa Clara Valley AVA extends south of the San Francisco Bay, along the Santa Cruz Mountains, in California's Central Coast area, and has winemaking and viticultural history dating back to the Spanish missionaries of the area in 1798. During the gold rush of the 1850s, European immigrants from France, Italy, Germany, and Spain recognized the potential of the area for grape-growing, and planting well-known varieties from their countries. It was recognized as an AVA in 1989. Today, the Santa Clara Valley AVA is home to about 30 wineries.
Which grape is also known by the names Mazuelo, Bovale Grande, Gragnano, and Pinot Evara?
Carignan
One a big ingredient of California jug wine, and now seeing a renewed quality focus throughout that state, Carignan is also known by many other names, such as Carinena, Carinyena, Carignane, Carignano, and Samso.
Which grape comes from a cross of varieties that includes Grenache?
Alicante Bouschet
Alicante Bouschet is a cross of Grenache and Petit Bouschet. It's known particularly for its deep, dark color, being one of the only noble teinturier grapes, which have colored (rather than clear) juice. Its leaves tend to turn a picturesque shade of purple in late Autumn.
Petite Sirah is a cross of Syrah and what other grape?
Pelorsin
Petite Sirah is a cross of Syrah and the Pelorsin grape. The "Petite" in its name refers not to the vine itself (which is notoriously vigorous) or its leaves (which are notably large), but to the size of the berries that it produces.
True or False: Zinfandel is the tenth-most planted grape in California?
False
Zinfandel has been planted in nearly all of California's grape-growing areas. According to the 2017 California Grape Acreage Report, Zinfandel is that state's third-most planted grape, behind only Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
