Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
True or False: Merlot is the second leading red wine grape variety (by grape bearing acreage) planted in California?
False
Merlot used to be California's second-most planted red wine grape variety by acreage, behind Cabernet Sauvignon. However, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Merlot has been overtaken by Zinfandel for the number two spot for reds.
What is the term for Austrian wine produced from different grape varieties growing together in the same area?
Gemischter Satz
Austria's Gemischter Satz is a relatively unique wine category. It's produced by the joint harvesting and winemaking of at least three different grape varieties from a single vineyard, where those varieties have been planted either in small blocks or at random.
True or False: The Furmint grape variety is grown in Austria?
True
While it's associated with Tokaj in Hungary, where it is made into both dry and sweet wines, the Furmint grape variety can also be found growing in Austria's Rust region, where (as of 2013) about nine hectares are planted.
What percent of Champagne's wine-growing area land is owned by Champagne houses?
10 percent
By the numbers, Champagne is a fairly unique winemaking region. There are approximately 293 Champagne houses, which collectively own only 10 percent of the vine-growing land in the area. However, those houses account for about 75 percent of the region's sparkling wine production, and almost 90 percent of its exports.
True or False: the first known mention of bottled Champagne sparkling wine comes from the coronation of Louis XV?
True
The first known mention of bottled sparkling wine from Champagne was served during a feast in 1722 at the Palace of Tau. The bottles of Champagne made their way to the king’s table at the feast, honoring Louis XV’s coronation.
Champagne grape growing accounts for what percentage of France's total area under vine?
3 percent
Champagne's wine production area, which was defined by law on July 22, 1927, accounts for approximately three percent of France's total area under vine.
Which famous Enlightenment era philosopher once wrote of Champagne, "the sparkling froth of these fresh wines is the sparkling image of us, the French"
Voltaire
Voltaire once declared Champagne to be a wine that embodied French wit, when he wrote "De ce vin frais l'ecume petillante, De nos Francais est l'image brillante."
True or False: Now Chile's signature red wine grape, Carmenere was introduced to South America after the phylloxera epidemic had impacted its native Europe?
False
Carmenere's appearance in South America predates the European phylloxera epidemic in the grape's native country of France. In the 19th Century, prior to the spread of phylloxera in France, Chilean vintners visited Bordeaux, taking back cuttings of what they believed at the time to be Merlot. The cuttings were actually of Carmenere, which doesn't take as well to rootstock grafting (the best known defense against phylloxera). Luckily for the Chileans, their country's natural borders helped to minimize the entrance of the phylloxera vine louse, and so Carmenere has flourished there as a result.
True or False: Although Italy's Franciacorta is a relatively recent DOC, its winemaking history dates back to the high Middle Ages?
True
The sparkling wine production area of Italy's renowned Franciacorta was granted DOC in 1967. But the region's winemaking history extends back in time much farther; the area was referred to as "Franzacurta" in Brescia documents dating back to 1277, and its still wines were mentioned by Virgil.
Of the volatile compounds imparted to wine from oak aging, which are responsible for notes of vanilla?
Phenyl ketones
Phenyl ketones from oak, such as acetophenone and butyrovanillone, can impart vanilla aromas to wine. Furans generally give toasted almond notes; phenolic aldehydes provide coffee, toast, and caramel aromas; and B-Methyl y-octalactone can give aromas reminiscent of coconut and walnuts.
