Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
True or False: Much of the central and southern portions of the Crozes-Hermitage area were once planted with fruit trees?
True
Peach orchards and other fruit trees were once widely planted in the central and southern portions of Crozes-Hermitage, because of the soil's relatively high content of potassium residue. It is widely believed that this residue imparts a round, fleshy characteristic to the region's wines.
How many bottles of wine are produced annually in France's Crozes-Hermitage appellation?
7 million
As of 2017, the 11 districts of the Crozes-Hermitage area of France's Rhone produces about seven million bottles of wine per year. Located at the 45th Parallel, Crozes-Hermitage has approximately 4200 acres under vine.
What percent of the wine produced in France's Graves is red?
75%
Red wine makes up about 75% of the wine production in Graves. This wasn't always the case, however; Graves was known for its white wines until the early 1970s, when red wines from the region grew in popularity.
Which of the following Montefalco DOCs does not allow for the use of the Sagrantino grape?
None of the above
Montefalco Sagrantino Passito, a sweet wine obtained from dried grape bunches, must be made 100% from Sagrantino grapes. Both Montefalco Rosso and Montefalco Rosso Riserva permit 10-25% Sagrantino in the final blend.
True or False: documents attest that vineyards existed in Italy's Montefalco dating as far back as 1088?
True
Not only does Montefalco have documented evidence of vineyard activity going back to 1088, but numerous thirteenth century documents for the region note that "the wine producers take of their fields planted with grapes." Montefalco is also one of the few Italian cities that saw wine production take place within the city walls, dating back to the fifteenth century.
What white grape represents nearly ten percent of Montefalco DOC production?
Grechetto
Red wine dominates Italy's Montefalco production. Of the twelve percent of the area's white wines production, the Montefalco Grechetto DOC accounts for nine percent.
True or False: In the 25 years since its official DOCG status, plantings of Italy's Montefalco Sagrantino have increased over tenfold?
True
The growth of Italy's Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG has been extraordinary; since being granted DOCG status in 1992, plantings (as of 2017) have increased from 66 hectares to 760 hectares, increasing in size over eleven times.
True or False: Prior to the end of the 19th Century, nearly all Sancerre wines were red?
True
According to Blason-Louis, Sancerre - now famous for white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc - produced primarily red wines before the close of the 19th Century (those being made with Pinot Noir, which now accounts for around ten percent of the region's total wine production). Interestingly, despite the area's history with red wines, white Sancerre as an appellation predates the official red and rose Sancerre appellation by nearly 25 years.
