Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
Which of the following grape varieties are permitted in Campo de Borja DO red wines?
All of the above
Spain's Campo de Borja DO is known as "the Empire of Garnacha" due to its predominance of Grenache/Garnacha plantings. However, the DO also permits other red grape varieties in its red wines, including Tempranillo, Mazuela, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.
True or False: Grenache vines prefer wet, cooler climates for ripening their grapes?
False
Grenache vines are highly drought resistant, and produce more concentrated grapes (and, therefore, wines) when their water is limited. Garnacha/Grenache also has sturdy wood that make it well-suited to withstand the strong winds of the warmer, drier climes found in areas like the Mediterranean.
What percentage of the acres under vine in Spain's Calatayud wine region are for white grape varieties?
8%
Located in the Province of Zaragoza, within Aragón, Spain, Calatayud is best known for producing Garnacha-based red wines from older vines (including rare Calatayud Superior produced from vines that are over 50 years old). Only 8% of the acres under vine in the region are devoted to white wine grape production.
True or False: Oregon has more bonded wineries than Texas?
False
While Oregon has the most wineries per capita in the USA (at just over 22 per capita), as of 2023 its 939 bonded wineries puts it slightly behind Texas' 959 wineries.
What is the most cultivated grape variety in Italy's Friuli Venezia Giulia wine region?
Pinot Grigio
Italy's Friuli Venezia Giulia is famous for its still white wines, which account for the vast majority (over 85%) of its production. While several grape varieties are cultivated there (at least 26, including Ribolla Gialla, Friulano, Malvasia Istriana, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Bianco), the dominant grape variety is Pinot Grigio.
While Oregon is a leader of certified Biodynamic farming for wine grapes, and accounted for nearly 5% of the wines in Wine Spectator Magazine’s Top 100 list in 2019, it's production is tiny on the global scale. Oregon accounts for just 0.15% of wine production worldwide.
What relatively new New York state wine grape is a a cross of Riesling and Cayuga White grape varieties?
Aravelle
Over forty years in development, Aravelle is a new wine grape developed by Professor Bruce Reisch and a team at Cornell University AgriTech in Geneva, NT. Aravelle is a cross of Riesling and Cayuga White, and is not as susceptible to mold and rot as Riesling (making it promising for use on the US East Coast).
True or False: France's Vouvray appellation is notable for its use of just one single grape variety?
True
In France's Vouvray appellation, a single grape variety is used for its AOC wines: Chenin Blanc. Situated along the Loire River in the Touraine district, Vouvray utilizes the versatile Chenin Blanc to craft dry, semi-dry, and sweet white wines, as well as sparkling wines. Over the past decade, Vouvray’s US imports have increased in value by 25%, making the appellation a bright spot among Loire Valley exports.
True or False: Italy's Collio wine region is nearly surrounded by rivers,sea, and mountains?
True
Italy's Collio wine region, which was officially recognized in 1968, enjoys a unique geographical position that favors wine grape plantings. Collio sits between the Isonzo river, the Judrio river (between Slovenia and Italy), the Adriatic Sea, and the crown of the Julian Alps.
What does the Italian term "barbatella" refer to with respect to winegrowing?
Vine cutting
In Italy, small vine plants that have undergone vine cutting are sometimes referred to as "barbatella," because when the cut end begins to develop roots they look like a short beard (or "barba" in Italian).
