Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
Edelweisser Tokayer, Mehlweiss, and Seestock are synonyms for which grape variety?
Furmint
The Furmint grape, long a key component of Hungary's fabled sweet wines (and increasingly vinified into dry versions), has dozens of synonyms worldwide, including Moslovac (in Croatia), Sipon (in Slovenia), and Zopfner (in Germany).
True or False: the Soave Colli Scaligeri Superiore DOCG is named in honor of the unification of Italy in the 19th Century?
False
The Soave Colli Scaligeri Superiore DOCG takes its name from the Scaligeri family, the former Lords of Verona who owned much of the nearby hillsides during the 13th and 14th centuries.
How many "grand cru" vineyard sites exist in Italy's Soave?
Over 40
According to the Soave Consorzio, there are over 40 grand cru vineyards in the region, ranging in size from fewer than 10 hectares (Monticello) to over 780 hectares (Monte Calvarina).
242 million hectoliters of wine was consumed worldwide in 2016. Of the top five wine consuming nations that year, the USA took the top spot with over 318 mh consumed, followed by France, Italy, Germany, and China.
True or False: New vineyards in the Soave Superiore DOCG must be trained using the Espallier systems?
True
The Espalier system (Guyot and Cordon Spur training) must be used for new vineyard plantings in the Soave Superiore DOCG, and they must be planted with a minimum density of 4000 vines per hectare. Vines planted prior to 2002 in the region are permitted to also use the Pergola Inclinate or Pergoletta Veronese vine training methods.
What was the first wine region awarded DOCG status in Italy's Veneto area?
Recioto di Soave
Recioto di Soave achieved DOCG status in 1998, making it the Veneto's first official DOCG. Evidence of sweet wine similar to Recioto di Soave in the region dates all the way back to the 5th Century.
How is the San Luis Obispo wine-growing area classified in the Winkler heat Index?
Region I
Most of the San Luis Obispo area is classified as Region I on the Winkler Index, with an average daily temperature of 70F. Edna Valley, part of the San Luis Obispo wine-growing region, is often regarded as the coolest AVA in all of California.
True or False: The grape varieties Colombard and Muscadelle are planted in Bordeaux?
True
There are planting of Colombard in Bordeuax's Blaye area, producing aromatic wines meant for early consumption. 800 hectares of Muscadelle are planted in Bordeaux, finding its way into some of the region's dry and sweet wines.
True or False: Nearly half of the land on the Portuguese island of Madeira cannot be used for farming?
True
About 47% of the Madeira island’s total land area consists of mountains and forests and cannot be planted. This makes viticulture on the island difficult, requiring hand-harvesting. It also means that the production of Madeira relies on a product - neutral grape spirit for fortification - that cannot be produced on the island due to lack of farming space.
Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District traces its grape growing back to what year?
1851
Oak Knoll is one of the oldest grape growing areas in Napa Valley, dating back to 1851, and having had some of the region's earliest fine wine grape variety plantings. Today, it has the most grapevines of any of Napa Valley's wholly-contained sub-appellations.
