THESKINI.COM

March 2006

A Wineline Quiz

by Martina Priadka

photo by Michael Chung

Hey kids!

It's been over three years of Wineline, which means that you should have plenty of background by now. From all your letters and feedback it seems to me we have quite a few wine aficionados out there. I am certainly not surprised. If not, we will just have to keep practicing together. Take the quiz below and find out where you rate on the Wineline scale.

1. What are tannins?

2. What does the term acidity mean?

3. Name a white wine from Bordeaux that in general has a high acidity?

4. What is the formula for fermentation?

5. What are the five main factors in winemaking?

6. What are the four basic steps of wine tasting?

7. What is the government sponsored control agency regulating wine production in the United States?

8. In France?

9. In Italy?

10. What is Phylloxera?

11. What are the main grape varietals in Sauternes?

12. What are the main grapes used in wines from Rioja?

13. In Champagne, which is drier, Brut or Extra Dry?

14. What is the most widely planted grape in Germany?

15. A Meritage wine comes from America and uses the classic Bordeaux blend. What are these varietals for a red Meritage?

16. What is the date of the first known vintage produced in California?

17. The Nebbiolo grape is one of the most popular grapes from what region in Italy?

18. The official classification of the first through fifth growth Bordeaux wines was established in what year?

19. How much red wine is produced in Chablis each year?

20. What is the best wine in the world?

ANSWERS

1. A diverse and complex group of chemical compounds that occur naturally in grapes and interact with protein. Tannins produce the sensation of bitterness and dry mouth. They are also a natural preservative.

2. The presence of tartness, freshness or sourness. High acid means good food wine.

3. Sauvignon Blanc

4. Sugar + Yeast = Alcohol + Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

5. Geographic location, Soil, Weather, Grapes, Vinification

6. Check color, swirl, smell, taste

7. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (B.A.T.F.)

8. Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (A.O.C.)

9. Denominazione di Origine Controllata (D.O.C.)

10. A louse that survives on grapes and grapevines eventually killing the entire plant.

11. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillion

12. Tempranillo and Garnacha

13. Brut

14. Müller-Thurgau

15. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec

16. 1782

17. Piedmont

18. 1855

19. None

20. This one is up to you darlings but give yourself a point if you can't answer it

Score:

5 or less - Hmmm. It might be a good idea to start by reading the labels instead of just looking at the pretty pictures.

6 to10 - Not bad. Have you thought of doing some studying before you start drinking?

11 to 15 - Budding wine expert. You are on the right track!

16 to 20 - Sommelier status is in your future. You know your wines. Cheers!

...Now That's Theskini!::permalink

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