Test your wine knowledge with quiz questions from our expert.
True or False: the Spanish wine region of Cariñena produces almost entirely white wines?
False
Formally established in 1932, Spain's Cariñena (in the Aragon province of the Ebro Valley) is a warm winemaking region that specializes in red wines made from Garnacha. While some white and rose wines are made there, Cariñena's production is nearly 100% red wine, with just over 35,000 acres under vine.
With plantings up to 6,500 feet above sea leve, which of the following is one of the highest elevation wine regions in Mexico?
Aguascalientes
Aguascalientes is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in all of Mexico, with a winemaking tradition dating all the way back to 1575. Although relative small in Mexican winemaking terms, Aguascalientes is the fifth largest wine-producing region in the country, enjoying an average elevation of over 6,500 feet above sea level (making it one of Mexico's highest-elevation wine regions), and growing varieties such as Nebbiolo, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and Tempranillo.
In Austria's vineyard classification system, how long must a vineyard be classified as Erste Lage before it can be promoted to Grosse Lage status?
5 years
Based on regulations formally agreed in 2023, only after a minimum of five years of classification as an Erste Lage (Premier Cru), can an Austrian vineyard be classified as a Grosse Lage (Grand Cru).
True or False: As of 2023, Austria will be the only country apart from France where it is legally possible to classify vineyard sites?
True
After a multi-decade effort involving the Traditional Wine Estates of Austria (ÖTW), as of 2023 all Austrian wine regions will be able to classify their vineyard sites (called 'Ried' in Austria). After a nomination process, the best vineyards can be designated as Erste Lage (Premier Cru) or Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) using a now-standardized classification process (the classification of Grosse Lagen or "Grand Cru " sites has not yet to be finalized as of 2023).
True or False: Romagna Pagadebit was the very first Italian white wine DOCG?
False
Romagna Albana was the first white wine from Italy to obtain the prestigious DOCG designation, back in 1987. Romagna Pagadebit is a DOC, specializing in a pleasant white wine made from the Bombino Bianco variety, which is vinified dry (in both still and sparkling styles).
What is northern most of Romagna Sangiovese DOC's 12 subzones?
Imola
In Italy's Romagna Sangiovese DOC, there are 12 subzones that follow along the Via Emilia and represent distinct expressions of the region's Sangiovese. The Imola subzone is the most northern/western of the twelve.
What is the size of Austria's smallest cru vineyard?
0.01 hectares
Austria’s smallest "Ried" (vineyard cru) is Ried Satzen in Weinviertel, Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). It measures a mere 0.01 hectares (about 0.025 acres).
True or False: Nearly 100% of the plantings in the wine-growing municipality of Horitschon in Austria are devoted to red wine grapes?
True
The wine-growing municipality Horitschon (in Mittelburgenland, Burgenland) is a rarity in Austria, where white wines normally dominate: 96% of its plantings are of red wine grape varieties.
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.
