Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
How are the white wines of southwest France's Madiran AOC labeled?
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh has the unique distinction of covering the same area as an AOC with a different name: Madiran, which is used to label red wines made from Tannat in the same location. Both Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh and Madiran were established in 1948, and the two AOCs have the same geographic boundaries. The grape varieties permitted in Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh include Gros Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc and Petit Manseng, among others. Dry, sparkling and sweet wines are made in the AOC.
According to winemaker and consultant Clark Smith, the process of adding oxygen to red wine to help manage tannins (micro-oxygenation) is similar to what other common process?
Rendering chocolate from cocoa powder
Ameliorating and smoothing the impact of red wine tannins by adding oxygen, according to Clark Smith, is similar to the process used by Aztecs in converting harsh cocoa powder into chocolate.
True or False: The average human body naturally produces more sulfites per day than are found in the average glass of red wine?
True
On average, the human body makes approximately 1000 mg of sulfites every day, an amount that is about one hundred times higher than the sulfites content that can be found in a standard pour of red wine.
True or False: Water is added during winemaking only in warmer grape growing climates, to help reduce the overall alcohol content of the finished wine?
False
According to California-based winemaker and consultant Clark Smith, cooler grape growing areas in which excessive grape acidity develops use "amelioration" water (up to thirty-five percent) during winemaking to help dilute the acids.
At a 2013 auction in Hong Kong, a twelve bottle case of wines from famed Burgundy producer Romanee-Conti set what record-breaking price?
$474,000
At a Hong Kong auction by Christie’s International, a winning bid of $474,000 for a case of 1978 Romanee-Conti by a Chinese buyer set a new auction record, far surpassing the previous case record of $345,000.
True or False: In Germany, Riesling is often cooked with cabbage.
True
Riesling is sometimes used in Sauerkraut preparations in Germany, to help mitigate the strong aroma of the cabbage, and to help balance out the strong flavors that can be a hallmark of many Sauerkraut recipes.
True or False: there is a "red" Riesling made from a red-skinned clone of the Riesling white wine grape?
True
"Roter Riesling" is a rare red Riesling wine, made from a clone of Riesling that has a reddish skin. There is also a similar wine made from red-skinned Traminer grapes, which is often also referred to as Roter Riesling.
The compound 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN) is responsible for what common wine aroma?
Petrol notes in Riesling
1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN) causes the gasoline / petroleum aroma that can often be found in high-quality Riesling. The growing conditions that favor high quality Riesling production - including appropriate ripeness levels, high acidity, water stress for the vines, and good sun exposure - also favor the production of 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN).
Biela Grasevina, Graefenberger, Rheingauer, and Uva Pussila are all synonyms for what white wine grape?
Riesling
While some of its other synonyms are better known (Welschriesling, Johannisberger, White Riesling), the Riesling grape has a dizzying number of lesser-known alternative names, including Rezlink, Pfefferl, and Rislinenok.
A wine labeled "Pinot d'Alsace" may contain what grapes varieties?
All of the above
Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir are all permitted under "Pinot d'Alsace." Any quantity of those grapes are allowed, but those with fifty percent or more of one of the noble varieties in the blend may also use the "Gentil" designation.
