Wine Quiz – Wine Terms

Where in France is the Champagne wine region located?

Which are the three 'primary' grape varietals used for crafting Champagne Wine?

On average worldwide - approximately how many bottles of Champagne are sold each year?

Which was the official Champagne served at the Royal Wedding of Prince William & Kate Middleton?

In which year was the Champagne wine region made a UNESCO Heritage Site?

What does ‘NV’ stand for on the wine label of a bottle of Champagne?

The Champagne bottle named 'Nebuchadnezzar' contains how many standard 750ml bottles?

When reading a Champagne wine label, what does the term ‘Blanc de Blancs’ refer to?

The term dosage (or liqueur d'expedition) refers to what?

Which of the following is 'not' a designated area within the Champagne wine region?

Which process involves the gradual rotating of the Champagne bottles, to collect sediment in the neck of the bottle?

Who of the following was the first 'founder' of a Champagne House to visit the United States?

Starting things off with oysters served natural in their shell, on a bed of ice with a few pieces of lemon to squeeze over if you like - which of the following is a classic pairing and will complement the oysters?

Steamed or pan-fried fillet of white fish, served with asparagus spears or broccolini on a bed of risotto - which of the following is an 'ideal' pairing to complement these fresh flavours?

You are having a classic Italian summer lunchtime dish - a sardine salad, served with olives, capers and a mixed green salad with dressing - which of the following wines is a classic pairing?

You decide to have a grilled or bbq’d fillet of salmon, well-seasoned and served with eggplant, roast cherry tomatoes and rocket salad - which of the following wines could you serve to complement all these flavours?

You are lucky enough to catch or be in a restaurant serving smoked trout, served with green vegetables and a rich sauce - which of the following wines would not be an ideal pairing?

You are enjoying a classic summer dish of scallops served with a light, herb infused olive oil dressing - which of the following wines would 'clash' with the delicate flavours?

You are cooking or ordering some squid / calamari - served with rocket and an olive oil dressing or a dipping sauce - which of the following wines would 'overpower' the subtle flavours?

If you were in Spain or a Spanish themed restaurant and you ordered a classic seafood Paella - served with crusted rice - which of the following wines is not a classic pairing?

You are grilling some fresh prawn kebabs and serving them with a sweet and sour sauce - which of the following wines would 'clash' & 'overpower' the prawns?

You are about to enjoy some crayfish or lobster - served with a light aioli or mayonnaise dipping sauce - which of the following wine styles would not be a complementary pairing?

You are about to enjoy some Thai Fish Cakes served with a red chilli-dipping sauce - which of the following wines would make the dish even 'more intense' on the palate and not pair well?

You are about to enjoy a slow baked fish pie, with a thick crust and a rich creamy sauce - which of the following wines would not quite step up to this dish and be 'overpowered' by the pie?

Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc are the genetic parents of Cabernet Sauvignon. Which of the following best describes the aromas and flavours of Cabernet Franc?

The history of Cabernet Franc is linked with the Basque country and Libournais area in Bordeaux. France is the largest producer of Cabernet Franc - commonly used as a blending grape in the famous ‘Right Bank’ Bordeaux blends. The finest ‘Right Bank’ red wines are usually a blend of?

In which of the following Bordeaux wine areas, is Cabernet Franc planted more than any other wine producing region?

There is a French wine region which specialises in Cabernet Franc as a single varietal wine - the Loire Valley. There are 2 very important appellations within the Loire Valley to remember for Cabernet Franc and they are?

The grape varietal Cabernet Franc is related to and is very similar too Cabernet Sauvignon, but it buds and ripens when?

Compared with Cabernet Sauvignon, the parent grape Cabernet Franc has natural traits that allow it to thrive much better in which on the following conditions?

DNA testing has also confirmed that Cabernet Franc to be a parent of which of the following red wine grape varietals?

Which of the following is a typical trait and characteristic for Cabernet Franc?

In New World wine regions, a special red wine blend made from the traditional red varietals of Bordeaux has been given a nick-name. This blend must be made from at least two of the following varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carménère - with no varietal comprising more than 90% of the blend. The name is?

Because Cabernet Franc can thrive in cooler-climate regions, it is more often than most other red grape varietals, made into what style of wine?

One of the most sought after red wines of Saint-Émilion in Bordeaux comes from a vineyard planted and made with a high percentage of Cabernet Franc. Which of the following is that wine?

The much sought after 2015 Stonyridge ‘Larose’ made on Waiheke Island in New Zealand is a blend of the classic Bordeaux red varietals - with this vintage a blend of 6 varietals. What percentage does Cabernet Franc play in the 2015 blend?

What is it about oak that no other wood type possesses - which has proven time and again to be the most compatibility with wine?

Why originally and still to this day are oak wine barrels made in a double arched (curved) shape?

What are the long individual pieces of wood that make up the sides of an oak wine barrel called?

Naturally and with minimal toasting of the wood, oak can give which of the following additional notes to wine?

When making oak wine barrels in France - typically the wood is sourced from 5 main government owned and regulated forests. 2 of these include ‘Alliers’ and ‘Limousin’, which of the following forests is the 'odd' one out?

The slow evaporation and 'lost wine' during aging in oak barrels, which helps to intensify the flavour compounds in wine - is called what?

The most commonly used oak wine barrels are the ‘Bordeaux’ style, which hold a volume of 225 litres. This is equivalent to which of the following?

Barrels contribute the most aroma, colour and texture to wine in their first year of use. And these characters diminish to virtually nothing on ‘average’ in how many years of use?

What is the name given to someone who specialises in making oak wine barrels?

Winemakers can order oak barrels to have a certain degree of toasting (by flame) on the inside surface. The main levels of toasting are: Light, Medium, Medium Plus and Heavy. If you see a barrel in a winery and notice the letters MT - what does this mean?

The traditional method of making oak wine barrels in France, they hand-split the oak staves and make every piece by hand - how many barrels can an experienced cooper make in one day?

While wine is ageing in oak barrels in the cellar, the winemaker will regularly take samples to taste its development. What is the name of the ‘tool’ used to take wine samples from an oak barrel?

Originally to distinguish Amarone from another wine which is produced in the same region, which is made in a ‘sweeter’ style. In Italian, the name ‘Amarone’ literally means?

To make Amarone wine - ripe grapes are harvested in the first two weeks of October, carefully choosing bunches with fruit not too close together, to aid in air flow. Grapes are allowed to dry, traditionally on straw mats. This process (to dry and shrivel the grapes) is called what in Italian?

When making a quality Amarone wine, which of the following is the ‘typically’ length of time for the grape drying process before fermentation?

During the drying process - the traditional red grapes used to make Amarone; Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara - on average loose approximately what volume in weight / juice?

Amarone wine was originally assigned ‘Denominazione di Origine Controllata’ (DOC) status in December 1990. When was Amarone promoted to DOCG status?

If fermentation is stopped early, the resulting wine will contain residual sugar (more than 4 grams of sugar per litre) and produce a sweeter wine known as?

The level of alcohol in an Amarone wine can easily surpass 15% - (with this style not released until five years after the vintage - though this is not a legal requirement). What is the 'minimum' level of alcohol required when producing an Amarone wine?

Before being released onto the market, wines labelled ‘Amarone della Valpolicella’ must undergo what 'minimum' period of ageing from January 1st - the year following the harvest?

When making an Amarone style wine - in order to ensure that the selection of the best grapes can withstand the long drying process. Which of the following must happen ‘by law’ to ensure quality?

Traditionally, the ageing of Valpolicella and Amarone wines was done inside large wooden casks. The typical size used was a barrel of 600 litre capacity - what is this traditional barrel called?

Another DOC wine produced in this region - a technique where the leftover grape skins from the Amarone fermentation process are added to normal Valpolicella wine. And allowed to macerate for an extended period of time, resulting in a fuller-bodied style Valpolicella, with a higher alcohol. Today several Amarone producers produce this style of wine which is called what?

Amarone della Valpolicella wines to be labelled 'Riserva' - from the 1st November of the harvest year are required to age for a ‘minimum’ of what period of time?

Carménère has a relatively recent history compared with many red grape varietals - which of the following regions in France is believed to be its place of origin?

Carménère is now planted like many French red grapes varietals around the world. But which of the following countries is agreed to be the ‘New Spiritual Home’ of Carménère?

Which of the following red grape varietals is agreed (proven by DNA tasting) to be one of the genetic parents of Carménère?

Thought to be a lost grape - in which year did French ampelographer Jean-Michel Boursiquot with the use of DNA testing, rediscover and correctly identify Carménère?

Before it was correctly identified by DNA testing - which of the following red grape varietals was Carménère mistaken to be in the vineyard?

Which of the following red grape varietals are classic partners when crafting a quality blended wine with Carménère?

France is the original home of Carménère, but in the 19th century it was thought to be lost, with virtually no vines planted. As of 2016 approximately how many hectares of Carménère were planted in France?

In Chile, Carménère has become an extremely important red grape varietal - as of 2019 approximately how many hectares or Carménère were planted in Chile?

Chile is known for producing bold styles of Carménère from the Cachapoal and Colchagua Valleys. Which of the following are concerns when growing Carménère?

Which of the following are the typical flavours & characters that you can find in a Carménère wine?

Carménère as a red wine pairs well with which of the following dishes?

Which of the following wine brands is internationally renowned for crafting quality red wines having a predominant percentage of Carménère?

What is the name of the Portuguese city where Port Wines are aged?

There are 5 main traditional grape varietals used to make 'red' Port wine in the Douro Valley. Which option below contains the correct 5 red grapes?

The Douro in Portugal was the 2nd wine region in the world to be officially classified (after Tokaji in Hungary). In which year did this happen?

What is the name of the traditional square, shallow foot treading tanks made typically from granite - typically a meter in depth, used to crush Port grapes?

Which of the following is 'not' an official style of Port wine?

With the exception of a special category of *(Light, Dry White & Rosé) Port. Typically Port wine is fortified to an alcohol strength of between which from the following?

Which of these red Port wines is not produced from a 'single' vintage?

What is the name of the traditional boats used to transport Port wine barrels down the Douro River?

Which of the following temperatures should 'White Port' wine ideally 'not' be served at?

Which of the following is the best, most ideal food pairing with Vintage Port?

Which year did the Douro Wine Region receive the UNESCO World Heritage Site classification?

After a bottle of Port is opened, its preservation will depend on the style of Port and its careful storage. What is the suggested period of time to keep a ‘Tawny' Port open?

Which of the following, are the names of three primary grapes used to make Sherry?

Sherry is produced between the 3 villages of: Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María. What is this area also known as?

To make Sherry which is a 'fortified' wine, grape spirit must be added..?

Flor is a thick protective layer of yeast that rests on top of the ageing Sherry. What is Flor’s primary food source which encourages it to grow?

Which of the following Sherry’s is made and ages until ready, under a complete thick layer of 'Flor'?

Why is a Pedro Ximénez Sherry (also known as P.X.) a sweet style wine?

Sanlúcar de Barrameda is the village where which of the following Sherry wines is renowned for?

Which of the following Sherries is not classified as a 'Fino' before aging in oak barrel?

Which of the following is the name given to the barrel houses in which Sherry ages and matures?

The process used in the production of all styles of Sherry (dry or sweet) is called a 'Solera' System. Which of the following best describes this process?

Which of the following is the ideal ‘temperature range’ to serve all styles of Sherry?

Typically a Pedro Ximénez 'P.X. Sherry' is best described by which of the following?

Which one of the following names is Malbec known as in its historical home of ‘south-west’ France?

In which year did Michel A. Pouget, (a French Agronomist) take Malbec to Argentina?

Argentina has the most planted area of Malbec in the world, followed by France. Approximately how many hectares of Malbec are planted in Argentina?

From all the Malbec grown in Argentina, what percentage is planted in the wine region of Mendoza?

Which grape did Malbec overtake to become the most planted wine grape varietal in Argentina?

Which of these tasting notes is typical of an Argentinian Malbec wine?

Which of the following is not a ‘typical’ flavour found in a Malbec wine from Argentina?

Malbec used to be a key component in a famous French red wine blend, but the vines were devastated by the severe frost in 1956. Which region was this complex red wine blend made?

Which of the following is the ‘best known’ wine region for Malbec outside Argentina?

The world’s highest altitude winery is located in Argentina and grows Malbec at over 3000 metres above sea level, what is its name?

What does the word Malbec translate to / mean in French?

On the 17th April - ‘Malbec World Day 2021’ is celebrating which 'edition' of this popular international wine event?

Lemon Meringue served slightly chilled and with fresh raspberries - which of the following wines will complement and bring out the best in each other?

A creamy strawberry cheesecake - with freshly slice strawberries on top and with a berry glaze and mixed berries on the side. Which of the following wines will not complement & overpower the dessert?

Butterscotch Crème Brûlée served chilled with a crust coating that is glazed-torched just before serving. Which of the following wines is not the most ideal combination & will overpower the flavours?

Apple Tart with vanilla ice-cream, served cool or preferably slightly warm with a thick pastry base. Which of the following wines is the better pairing combination with the light flavours in the dessert?

Berry Tart with boysenberry ice-cream served cool or preferably slightly warm with a thick pastry base-crust. Which of the following wines will complement the desserts key flavours?

Crepes - served with fresh strawberries & cream - served cool and with fresh mixed red berries on the side. Which of the following wines is not an ideal pairing and would overpower the fresh flavours?

Pecan Pie with a thick base-crust, served slightly warm with biscuit caramel ice-cream. Which of the following wines would clash and overpower the flavours in this dessert?

Tiramisu with biscuits, fresh coffee & brandy cream, plus a cinnamon dusting on top - which of the following wines would not quite pair with the flavour combination in this dessert?

Chocolate & Berry Roulade - thick chocolate sponge with mocha cream and blackberries on the side, with a rich berry sauce. Which of the following wines would not quite stand-up to these flavours?

Sticky Toffee Pudding served warm with black treacle sauce - which of the following wines would be 'overpowered' by the flavours in this warm, rich sticky dessert?

Chocolate Mousse made with a high percentage of cacao and served with a rich chocolate sauce. Which of the following wines will be overpowered and not ideally complement the key flavours?

Dark Chocolate Mud Cake with Chocolate Ganache Icing, 85% cacao chocolate sauce - served cool or warm. Which of the following wines would be 'overwhelmed' by all of this dark chocolate?

The exact lineage and origin of Viognier is still to be confirmed. But where in France is the agreed spiritual home of Viognier - the name of the appellation where only 100% Viognier can be used to make wine?

Like all quality wine grape varietals - Viognier as a vine starts to hit its peak, starts to produce its best quality fruit from what vine age?

In the 1950’s & ‘60’s Viognier as a varietal nearly became extinct in Condrieu, Rhône Valley - with only 10 hectares planted. Today wines of Condrieu are a benchmark style - approximately how many hectares are planted?

Even though Condrieu is located at the northern end of the Rhône Valley - the region is relatively warm and more ideal for ripening red grapes - what is the name of northly wind that cools things down to keep Viognier fresh and vibrant?

When grown in ideal conditions - Viognier can produce a quality wine on its own. But on a regular basis in the Rhône Valley it is blended with other white varietals - which of the following are the 2 usual suspects?

In the wine region of Côte-Rôtie up to 20% Viognier can be used in a red wine blend - but most winemakers don’t use more than 5%. Which of the following is the main reason for adding Viognier to the blend?

As a grape producing vine - Viognier is renowned for producing / yielding what level of crop?

Even with DNA analysis, the exact origin and parents of Viognier are still to be confirmed - as it is a complex process. But currently one family member and cousin have been identified - which of the following is correct?

Viognier can produce elegant, dry white wines - through to luscious sweet dessert wines. But when it comes to ripening - compared to other white varietals, typically when does Viognier tend to ripen?

Which of the following describes the typical range of aromas and flavours you can find in Viognier grapes and the resulting crafted wines?

Viognier can be a versatile grape varietal - depending upon the terroir and growing conditions. With the flavours described above, which of the following is the more ideal food pairing with Viognier?

Which of the following New Zealand Wineries has an acclaimed reputation for making a luscious sweet dessert wine Viognier called ‘Indulgence’ - (with the 2017 vintage having 275g/L residual sugar)?

Which of the following is the ‘technical term’ used to describe the process of winemaking…?

A person who makes (crafts by hand) oak wine barrels is known as a...?

Which of the following is a measurement of a grape's sugar content, indicating its ripeness level at harvest time?

The winemaking term ‘skin contact’ refers to which of the following?

What is the term for the layer of grape skins and stems that forms on the top of fermenting wine?

Which of the following is the French term, meaning ‘to bleed’ - referring to the technique when lightly coloured red grape juice is drawn off from a tank to make a Rosé wine?

Which of the following is the term used to describe the dead yeast cells and other sediment that a wine may be aged on inside a stainless tank or oak barrel?

What is the name of the process by which wine is transferred from one barrel into an empty-clean barrel, leaving the sediment behind?

Known as ‘Pigéage’ in French, what is the process of breaking up the cap (the layer of grape skins) on top of fermenting red wine?

Which of the following is the correct order in the vinification - winemaking process?

Called ‘Rémontage’ in French, what is the process of transferring red wine from the bottom of the tank and pouring it on to the cap?

When yeast stops converting grape sugars to alcohol before the fermentation process been fully completed, this is called what...?

Which of the following is regarded as Sauvignon Blanc's most important wine region in France?

DNA testing has identified that Sauvignon Blanc and which other grape varietal are the genetic parents of Cabernet Sauvignon?

Sauvignon Blanc is known for its herbaceous characters like cut grass, capsicum, dried herbs and gooseberries. Which of the following flavours compounds is responsible?

Sauvignon Blanc is good at expressing mineral flavours imparted by the soils in which it is grown. Which of the following soil types are ideal for the grapes flavour profile?

In which of the following wine regions is Sauvignon Blanc known to excel and produce aromatic wines with vibrant, lively crisp fruit flavours?

Fumé Blanc is a unique 'smoky' style of Sauvignon Blanc revitalised and made famous by which of the following American winemakers?

Pouilly-Fumé in one of the two wine regions in the Loire Valley known for quality Sauvignon Blanc wines - which is the other wine appellation?

Which of the following Bordeaux ‘First-Growths’ is the only estate to make a 'dry' Sauvignon Blanc wine blend renowned for its quality?

Which of the following white wine styles is the odd one out?

The Bordeaux wine region crafts dynamic white wines from Sauvignon Blanc, which is the other grape varietal sometimes blended with it?

Which of the following Chilean wine regions is regarded as the best for producing quality Sauvignon Blanc wines?

In New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc plays an important part in the wine industry. In 2020 there was a total of 39,935ha of vines planted across the country. What percentage of the total planted area do Sauvignon Blanc vines cover?

In the 1990's DNA testing confirmed Cabernet Sauvignon was a cross between which 'two' grape varietals back in the 17th century?

In Bordeaux during vintages when Cabernet Sauvignon struggles to fully ripen, which of the following earlier ripening varietals is used as a blending component?

Cabernet Sauvignon as a grape varietal can grow well in many different soil types. Which of the following is not ideal soil conditions?

Because of Cabernet Sauvignon’s rich character, structure and tannins, it is often vinified using many different winemaking techniques - 'except' which of the following?

Which of the following countries has more planted area of Cabernet Sauvignon than any other varietal - and with most of its premium quality wines being crafted from it?

Cabernet Sauvignon is the base varietal and backbone to all but 'one' of the following top Bordeaux wines?

Which of the following characteristics is often associated with Cabernet Sauvignon predominant red wines?

In which way can quality, well-made Cabernet Sauvignon wines benefit from time in the cellar?

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the key varietals of Bordeaux, thriving on the Left Bank. Which of the following wine appellations is not planted with Cabernet?

Cabernet Sauvignon is an important grape varietal and wine in which of the following regions?

Cabernet Sauvignon crafted as a full-bodied red wine pairs ‘best’ with which of the following dishes?

Which of the following owner / winemakers is well known for consistently crafting well balanced Cabernet Sauvignon predominant red wines...?

The most favoured way to make rosé wine is to let red grape skins stay in contact with the juice for a short period of time. Which of the following techniques, results in a rosé wine produced as a by-product - where juice is ‘bled off’ from a red wine fermentation tank to improve the primary red wine, making it more intense?

Some rosé wines are not fermented completely dry - resulting in a 'sweet' style pink wine. What is this style commonly called in the United States?

Which of the following winemaking techniques is commonly used to make quality Rosé Champagne?

Most wine enthusiasts around the world know and call these pink wines as rosé. But what other term is used to label particular rosé wines around the world?

In the Rhône Valley this appellation is famous for its rosé wine - in fact it is the only style of wine allowed to carry its name - what is it called?

Provence is considered the birthplace of French rosé wine, dating back 2600 years. Annually over 135 million bottles of rosé wine are consumed, this makes up what percentage of all Provençal wine?

The traditional curvy, bowling-pin shaped wine bottle used for rosé wine in Provence (southern France) is sometimes called, referred to as what?

France consumes more rosé than white wine, and is the world's largest producer of rosé. They produce approximately how much of the world's total rosé production?

Which of the following is the best conditions to serve and enjoy a glass of rosé wine?

Which of the following 2018 Rosé wines - won 'Best of Show & Best Value' - at the annual 'Best Rosé Wine Competition 2019' run by James Suckling?

Which of the following is an ideal cuisine pairing suggestion with a chilled rosé wine?

Which of the following Champagne Houses only make a 'Vintage’ Rosé Champagne?