Wine Quiz Answers

1.   Burgundy is 
a) A major wine region of France
b) Noted for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
c) Generic name for some red table wines made in the U.S.
d) All of the above
Burgundy is the anglicized name of Bourgogne, a major wine region of France. This region is noted for its Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. It is also a generic name for some red jug and table wines made in the United States.

2.  The Egyptian God who bestowed wine on mankind was 
a) Horus
b) Osiris
c) Re
d) Thoth
The wine of ancient Egypt was mostly sweet white wine, probably made from the grape now known as the Muscat of Alexandria, and it was considered to be a gift from the god Osiris.

3.  The color in red wine comes from
a) Grape skins
b) Grape seeds
c) Tannin
d) Is artificially added
Whereas all grapes contain the same greenish pulp, the skins of red-wine grapes give red wine its color, tannin and assorted fruit flavors. So white grape skins, which add little to white wine, are removed early in the winemaking process, but red grape skins are kept in the fermenting vat for an extended period of time.

4.  Wine is best preserved when it is stored
a) Away from the light
b) On its side
c) Between 9C and 15C
d) All of the above
Any wine you choose to put away should be kept away from light and ideally in the range of 9 C – 15 C. If a wine is stored in a warm environment, it matures too quickly; in too cool an environment it will mature too slowly. Lay each bottle on its side; this keeps the cork moist. Cork will contract if it is allowed to dry, possibly allowing air to get into the bottle.

5.  Which of the following is not a type of grape
a) Bordeaux
b) Chardonnay
c) Merlot
d) Riesling
Bordeaux is one of the most important wine regions in France, if not the world. The reds from this region are usually blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. White wines are primarily blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Chardonnay, Merlot and Riesling are all types of grapes.

6.  Which of the following is not a component of wine
a) Alcohol
b) Fruit
c) Salt
d) Water
Water – not added water, but water gathered naturally in the grapes,
Alcohol – ethyl alcohol, generally between 10 and 15% by volume,
Tannin – complex organic compound extracted mainly from grape skins (and thus a characteristic of red wines more than white),
Fruit  - the beauty of grape varieties, both red and white, is their ability to produce wine with a complex aroma of fruits other than grapes,
Acid – Tartaric, malic and citric acids naturally form in grapes. Together they form the wine’s “acidity profile”, which is balanced by sweet components,
Sugar – not all of the natural fruit sugar in grapes is completely fermented. The residual sugar contributes to the sweetness,
Glycerine – this is the component that gives wines a desirable degree of viscosity (thickness),
Carbon dioxide – this gas is produced during fermentation, and is allowed to escape in the production of table wine,
Oak  - once a necessity, now an option, oak treatment – barrel fermenting; barrel aging; new oak vs old, French or American, oak chips – add a flavor component to wine,
are the ingredients that comprise wine as we know it.

7.  The Gamay grape is prominently featured in which wine?
a) Barolo
b) Beaujolais
c) Bordeaux
d) Burgundy
A light, fruity red Burgundy wine from the region of Beaujolais France, made from the Gamay grape.

8.  The country that produces the most cork is
a) France
b) United States
c) South Africa
d) Portugal

9.   Which of the following statements about pairing wine with food is false
a) Wine and chocolate don't match
b) Serve expensive wine with cheese
c) Regional affinity
d) Fruit and Wine don't match
The fat in cheese makes wine taste better. Remember the adage – Buy on apples, sell on cheese.

10. Which of the following is not a noble white grape
a) Chardonnay
b) Riesling
c) Sauvignon Blanc
d) Syrah

11. Which of the following is not a noble red grape
a) Cabernet Sauvignon
b) Merlot
c) Gewurztraminer
d) Pinot Noir
Noble grapes is the term the wine world uses to identify a small subset of the vinifera family that produces the world’s top wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, and Nebbiolo are the noble red grapes. Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are the noble white grapes.

12. Champagne is
a) A wine producing region in northern France
b) Any sparkling wine
c) Made from white grapes
d) All of the above
Champagne is a wine producing region in northern France. Only sparkling wines produced in this region via the Champagne method are denoted as Champagne. Much to the fury of the French, some cheap sparkling wines made in the United States, Canada and Australia can legally call themselves champagne (with a small “c”) in those countries.

13. Match the wine with the country
Riesling - Germany
Shiraz - Australia
Chianti - Italy
Rioja - Spain

14. Which of the following characteristics should be considered when tasting wine
a) Sight
b) Smell
c) Taste
d) All of the above
Sight – examine color for clarity and intensity
Smell – swirl the wine in the glass to release aromas, smell the wine to identify the components in the aroma and bouquet of the wine.
Taste – note the flavor, acidity, tannin, body, etc.