Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
True or False: The first vineyard-designated wine in California was a Chardonnay?
False
According to the California Wine Institute, the first vineyard-designated wine in California was not a Chardonnay, but a Cabernet Sauvignon: Heitz Martha’s Vineyard 1966 (from an area that would later become Napa Valley's Oakville AVA). At release, the wine cost about $7 per bottle - considered an exorbitant amount, given the list price of Heitz's regular Cabernet Sauvignon release at the time ($1.63 per bottle).
True or False: The California wine industry generates over 100 billion dollars USD in annual economic activity?
True
According to the 2015 Economic Impact Report on Wine, the wine industry in California employs over 785,000 people, generating $114 billion in economic activity annually (and paying a whopping $15.2 billion in taxes every year).
Which of the following is NOT a "Grand Cru" Prosecco area that can be included in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG?
Santo Domingo
Prosecco's Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG region covers only 107 hectares of vineyards, roughly in the shape of a pentagon. Those vineyards are in the steepest hillsides of San Pietro di Barbozza, Santo Stefano and Saccol, all in the commune of Valdobbiadene.
What does the word "Rive" mean with respect to the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive DOCG in Italy?
Slope
In the local dialect of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco production area, "Rive" means "slope" and refers to the steep hills characteristic of the 43 delimited areas from which this special sparkling wine is made. Rive Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive DOCG wines have strict grape yield requirements, and are hand-picked.
True or False: Sangiovese's name might have been derived from "sangue dei gioghi"?
True
According to Vini di Romagna, one derivation of the word Sangiovese could be "sangue dei gioghi," or "yokes blood." This suggests that the grape might have an origin of production in the foothills between Romagna and Tuscany, where fossils of pre-Greek Sangiovese seeds and leaves have been found.
Which of the following is not a sub-zone of the Faenza area in Italy's Romagna wine region?
Bertinoro
Romagna's Faenza area has five sub-zones: Serra, Brisighella, Modigliana, Marzeno, and Oriolo. Bertinoro is a sub-zone of the neighboring Forli wine-growing area.
In what year was Romagna Sangiovese designated a DOC?
1967
Sangiovese, one of Italy's most widely-planted grapes, has been produced in Italy's Romagna region since the 15th Century. it was granted DOC status in Romagna in 1967.
True or False: Romagna Albana was the first white wine to achieve DOCG status in Italy?
True
Albana in Romagna was designated a DOCG in 1987, making the first white wine in Italy to achieve that distinction. The grape has been used in wine production in the region dating back to at least 1495.
True or False: Rasteau dry red wines must be at least 90% Grenache?
True
To be labeled as a Southern Rhone Cru Rasteau, a red wine must be vinified from at least 50 percent Grenache grapes. Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Carignan varieties are also permitted in the remaining fifty percent.
Which of the following Rhone Crus has the largest production area?
Gigondas
Gigondas has a total production area of about 1208 hectares, making it the larger of the Rhone Crus mentioned in today's quiz question. Lirac is the smallest on today's list, with 771 hectares.
