Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
True or False: Campania's white wine grape Fiano is named after a phrase meaning "vine of the birds?"
False
Fiano was originally known as Vitis apiana, which is Latin for "vine of the bees." The grape has been in use for over two thousand years, however, and in that time its original name has morphed considerably. Fiano now finds what is regarded as its highest expression in Fiano di Avellino DOCG wines.
Italy's Campania wine region takes its name from a Latin phrase meaning what?
Happy land
Campania, near Naples, is one of Italy's oldest wine regions, tracing its history back to the 12th Century BC. It takes its name from the Latin phrase "Campania felix," which translates (approximately) to "happy land."
True or False: One Of Napa Valley's wineries can trace its history back to the first woman to build and operate a winery in California?
True
Philadelphia-raised Josephine Marlin Tychson opened Tychson Cellars winery in St. Helena in 1886. Its name was eventually changed to Lombarda Cellars, and following Tychson's death in 1939 the estate was sold to Charles Freeman, Mark Foster, and Abbey Ahern. Today, that estate is known as Freemark Abbey.
According to Asian Wine Review, archeological evidence shows that wine was first produced in China as early as 212 B.C. As of 2017, there are about 450 wineries in the country.
True or False: U.S. wine consumers under 40 are more likely to purchase wine priced under $12.
True
According to Wine Opinions, a recent study showed that wine consumers who are under the age of 40 will more often buy wines priced under twelve dollars. The same study showed that budget wines are the most likely to be purchased every week by wine consumers.
In what year were the first vineyards planted in Long Island, NY?
1973
Long Island’s first vineyard was planted by Alex and Louisa Hargrave in 1973. They purchased about sixty acres in Cutchogue, planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir. The wines received some media attention, with Louisa Hargrave later penning "The Vineyard," a book detailing her experiences establishing winegrowing in Long Island.
Italy's famous Amarone wine takes its name from the Italian word for what taste term?
Bitter
Amarone is believed to have been first produced by accident when a Recioto dessert wine was instead vinified dry. It takes its name from "amaro," meaning bitter (though it can also mean "unlucky," or "disappointed").
What designation took the place of Sicilia IGT in Italy in 2011?
Terre Siciliane
The Sicilia IGT was promoted to DOC status in 2011 (although, controversially, it did not include the more stringent production requirements that usually accompany such promotions). In its place, the IGT Terre Siciliane was created.
