Random Wine Questions

Front 1

How many wineries roughly are there in the Médoc?

Back 1

Around 1,500

Hint 1

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9doc

Front 2

What climate prevails in the Médoc and what problem does it create?

Back 2

Mild climate and high rainfall (due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean) - these make rot a constant problem.

Hint 2

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9doc

Front 3

Name some of the big, infamous brands of cheap, sweet, unchallenging (but at least consistent) wines in Germany

Back 3

Liebfraumilch
Niersteiner Gutes Domtal
Piesporter Michelsberg

Hint 3

Source: http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regionalguides/germany.shtml

Front 4

Where is the bulk of Germany's quality (Riesling) wine produced?

Back 4

Vineyards that yield the greatest wines are concentrated around the river system in the west of Germany near the border with France, the confluence of the Mosel and the Rhine, fed by their tributaries the Saar, Ruwer and Nahe.

Hint 4

http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regionalguides/germany.shtml

Front 5

When did Germany's Wine Laws come about

Back 5

1971

Hint 5

http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regionalguides/germany.shtml

Front 6

What's unusual about the location of Germany's wine producing regions?

Back 6

They are in the most northerly wine region of Europe, crossing latitude 50 degrees N (some as far as 51 degrees N).

Hint 6

Main study book

Front 7

What are two common criticisms of the German Wine Laws

Back 7

1.) The creation of the "Grosslagen" - analogous to a subregional French appellation - which consolidate 30,000 single vineyards ("Einzellagen") down to around 2,600. This "lumping together" brought down the quality.
2.) Grosslagen are not easily recognizable or declared as such on the wine label, i.e. it's almost impossible to tell whether a wine is from a single site or a regional blend.

Hint 7

http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regionalguides/germanylawsandclassifications.shtml

Front 8

What is the top classification of German quality wine?

Back 8

Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP), which from the 2007 vintage has been shortened to Prädikatswein.

Hint 8

http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regionalguides/germanypradikatap.shtml

Front 9

What is the difference between QbA and QmP categories when it comes to chaptalisation?

Back 9

The former may be chaptalised, whereas the latter may not. However, all may be subject to the addition of süssreserve, akin to the dosage in Champagne

Hint 9

http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regionalguides/germanypradikatap.shtml

Front 10

Is the German "Prädikat" determined by the characteristic of the finished wine or by the concentration of sugars (must weight) in the must (grape juice) that was fermented in order to make the wine.

Back 10

The latter. Vintages can also affect the style of any given Prädikat: in a very warm year, the grapes are harvested in a healthy, ripe condition and the must weight will be higher than in lesser vintages. As a result, those wines labelled as Kabinett may be made from juice with a must weight far in excess of that legally required for this category, and thus the wine will taste unusually rich for a Kabinett.

Hint 10

http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regionalguides/germanypradikatap.shtml

Front 11

What is a "Goldkapsel"?

Back 11

Goldkapsel: Bottles topped with a gold capsule, found particularly in the Mosel, usually contain a wine deemed superior by the producer to his or her regular bottling. These are typically Auslese wines and will usually display more richness, intensity and flavour that the regular bottling. They are also usually more expensive, and have great potential for ageing.

Hint 11

http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regionalguides/germanydictionary.shtml

Front 12

What were the German vintages like for the past 10 years?

Back 12

Generally very good, with 2005 being particularly good and 2000 being below average.

Front 13

When does the vintage generally take place in Australia?

Back 13

Between February and the beginning of April, sometimes as late as May (in cooler regions).

Hint 13

Source: WSET Advanced Study Book, page 145

Front 14

What are the dominant grape varietals grown in Australia?

Back 14

Shiraz and Chardonnay make up the bulk. In descending order of importance, varietals with more than 1000 hectares:
Red: Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Grenache
White: Chardonnay, Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Verdelho

Hint 14

WSET Advanced Study Book (page 145)

Front 15

How big is the area under vine in Australia?

Back 15

174,000 hectares of vineyards. 72,500 belong to Shiraz or Chardonnay.

Hint 15

WSET Advanced Study Book (page 145)

Front 16

In Australia, if regions, varieties or vintage are stated, what proportion of the wine in the bottle must come from these regions, varieties or vintages.

Back 16

85%

Hint 16

WSET Advanced Study Book
Page 147

Front 17

What is the name of the Australian super-zone that cover 95% of the total production of Australian wine - and what is it's purpose/significance?

Back 17

South-East Australia. It was designed to allow blending across Australia for varietally labelled wines sold in the EU, since grape variety is an important marketing tool for many Australian wines.

Hint 17

WSET Advanced Study book
Page 147

Front 18

How do Barolo and Barbaresco compare?

Back 18

Barolos tend to be tougher, and more muscular, while Barbarescos typically have more aromatics and elegance.

Hint 18

Winespectator - What am I tasting (March 27 2001)

Front 19

How many ACs are there for Chablis?

Back 19

Four:
AC Grand Crus Chablis (min 11% abv)
AC Chablis Premier Cru (min 10.5% abv)
AC Chablis (min 10% abv)
AC Petit Chablis (min 9.5% abv)

Hint 19

Source: Sommelier Study Book (page 55/56)

Front 20

The only grape permitted in any kind of Chablis AC is Chardonnay. True or false?

Back 20

True, byatch!

Hint 20

Source: Sommelier Study Book (page 55)

Front 21

What's the difference between Syrah, Petite Sirah, Petite Syrah and Shiraz.

Back 21

In California, "Petite Syrah" is the same wine as "Petite Sirah," and shouldn't be confused with "Syrah." In France, growers distinguish between Grosse Syrah and Petite Syrah, the latter being the better grape, and both being true Syrah. Petite Sirah is a cross between Syrah and Peloursin (called Durif in France). The Australian varietal Shiraz is the same as the French Syrah.

Hint 21

Source: Many, many websites

Front 22

Name the seven vineyards permitted for AC Grand Cru Chablis.

Back 22

1.) Les Vaudésirs
2.) Les Clos
3.) Les Grenouilles
4.) Les Preuses
5.) Bougros
6.) Valmur
7.) Les Blanchots

All are situated on a south facing slope immediately north and north-east of the town Chablis).

Hint 22

Source: Briian K Julyan's Sommelier Study Book (page 55)

Front 23

What are the 10 Crus Beaujolais?

Back 23

1.) St-Amour
2.) Juliénas
3.) Chénas
4.) Moulin-à-Vent
5.) Fleurie
6.) Chiroubles
7.) Morgon
8.) Brouilly
9.) Côte de Brouilly
10.) Réigné

Hint 23

Source: brian Julyan's Sommelier Study book (page 59)

Front 24

What grapes go into Port?

Back 24

48 authorized grape varieties, most common are 8 red and 8 white, with Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca (or Touriga Francesa), Tinta Roriz (another name for Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cão topping the list.

Hint 24

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_wine

Front 25

What is the typical aroma of Port?

Back 25

Port aromas include pepper, smoke, truffles and black currant

Hint 25

Source: http://wineintro.com/types/port.html

Front 26

What are the aging requirements for Cognac?

Back 26

VS Very Special, or ✯✯✯ (three stars) where the youngest brandy is stored at least two years in cask.

VSOP Very Special Old Pale, where the youngest brandy is stored at least four years in a cask, but the average wood age is much older.

XO Extra Old, where the youngest brandy is stored at least six, but average upwards of 20 years.

Front 27

What are the ageing requirements for Armagnac

Back 27

When brandies of different ages have been blended, the age on the bottle refers to the youngest component.

A three star, or "VS," Armagnac is a mix of several Armagnacs that have seen at least two years of aging in wood.

For the VSOP, the aging is at least five years

For XO, the aging is at least at least six.

Hors d'âge means the youngest component in the blend is at least ten years old.

Front 28

What are the differences between Sherry and Port?

Back 28

Growing region (Jerez, Spain vs Douro Valley, Portugal)

Varietal (3 vs. 5/lots)

After fermentation is complete, sherry is fortified with brandy. Because the fortification takes place after fermentation, most sherries are initially dry, with any sweetness being added later.

In contrast, port wine is fortified halfway through its fermentation, which stops the process so that not all of the sugar is turned into alcohol.

Front 29

Name 5 examples of fortified wines!

Back 29

Port, Sherry, Madeira, Marsala, and Vermouth

Front 30

What is the difference between a fortified wine and a spirit?

Back 30

Fortified wine is distinguished from spirits made from wine in that spirits are produced by means of distillation, while fortified wine is simply wine that has had a spirit added to it.

Front 31

Which six grape varieties are officially approved for Tokaji wine production?

Back 31

- Furmint
- Hárslevelű
- Yellow Muscat (Hungarian: Sárgamuskotály)
- Zéta (previously called Oremus)
- Kövérszőlő
- Kabar

Front 32

How long must Barolo be aged before it is released?

Back 32

3 years (just like Taurasi, the "Barolo of the South", made from Aglianico grape in Campania)

Front 33

What are some of the grape composition and ageing requirements for Chianti, Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva?

Back 33

Since 1996 the blend for Chianti and Chianti Classico has been 75-100% Sangiovese, up to 10% Canaiolo and up to 20% of any other approved red grape variety such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Syrah. Since 2006, the use of white grape varieties such as Malvasia and Trebbiano have been prohibited in Chianti Classico. Chianti Classico must have a minimum alcohol level of at least 12% with a minimum of 7 months aging in oak, while Chianti Classico's labeled riserva must be aged at least 27 months at the winery, with a minimum alcohol level of at least 12.5%

Front 34

What are the ageing requirements for Brunello di Montalcino

Back 34

The current aging requirements were established in 1998 and dictate that Brunellos are to be aged in oak for 2 years and at least 4 months in a bottle before release.

Front 35

What are the ageing requirements for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

Back 35

The wine is aged in oak barrels for 2 years; three years if it is a riserva.

Front 36

What grapes are permitted in Brunello di Montalcino?

Back 36

Brunello di Montalcino is made 100% from Sangiovese.

Front 37

What grapes are permitted in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and what are the ageing requirements?

Back 37

The wine is made primarily from the Sangiovese grape varietal (minimum 70%), blended with Canaiolo Nero (10%–20%) and small amounts of other local varieties such as Mammolo. The wine is aged in oak barrels for 2 years; three years if it is a riserva.

Front 38

What's the deal with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo?

Back 38

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a type of red wine made from the Montepulciano wine grape in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy. Up to 10% Sangiovese is permitted to be added to the blend. If aged by the winery for more than two years, the wine may be labeled "Riserva."