Did you do your homework? Wine quiz answers...

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July 21, 11:35 AM

by Leslie Cramer, Wine Examiner

 

 

Map of German wine regions (source)http://www.merchantwines.com/Templates/WineMapGermany.gif

1.  Wine is made--  in all fifty states.  The debate has raged on over the years, can wine be made from other fruit besides just grapes(cherries, peaches, berry-fruits)?  But as of this writing and not to enter the debate, wine may be made from  from other fruit besides just grapes.

2.  Bordeaux makes--  sweet dessert wines and heavy red wines.  Bordeaux is known for its great red wines, but regions in and around Sauternes make some of the planet's finest dessert wines with  sauvignon blanc and semillon grapes. 

3.  Oak is-- decidedly a flavor in winemaking.  Wine is often aged in oak barrells, which imparts its unique taste to the wine. Though the taste may be highly regarded it may sometimes overpower the taste of the wine.

4.  Cabernet Sauvignon-- has in roots in Bordeaux (pun intended...) but is grown to perfection is parts of the New World as well.  It is likely the best known grape variety.

5.  Though the best of the best German wines may most definitely be sweet, dry, crisp Geman wines are outstanding as well.  The drier Germans are often excellent accompaniments to many foods and can be found by looking for "Kabinett" on the label.

6.  Not just the cheap jug-style wines of the U.S., Chablis is made from the chardonnay grape and produces some of the finest white wines in the world.  Even though Chablis is northwest of the Burgundy region of France, it is still considered part of that region.   Chardonnay-based white burgundies from Chablis are ultra-crisp and dry.

7.  The warning labels that adorn wine bottles are there to show potential health risks (drinking and driving, wine's affect on pregnancy, allergies to sulfites, etc.). 

8.  The term "champagne" refers to sparkling wine from the Champagne district of France.  No other sparkling wines are allowed to use the term on their labels.

9.  The best of sweet wines are considered the prize of a winemaker's repertoire.  These wines may have been affected by the 'noble rot'--a mold that draws the moisture from the grapes--or they may have been late-harvested.  Once these grapes become potent and sweet , they have now become prized and highly valued.  They comprise the very best sweet wines, using only the very best, most intense grapes, usually picked one by one, by hand.  This process and these highly-prized grapes make these wines some of the most expensive in the world.

10.  Champagne is often made from both red (pinot noir) and white (chardonnay) grapes, though not always.  Champagne designated "blanc de blanc" is made from just white grapes.  Red grapes that are used must be pressed very carefully as to not imapart any color into the wine.  Rose champagne has retained some of the color from the red grape is was made with, or sometimes red wine is added to the sparkling wine to give it color.

11.  Red wine is only aged when it is of a style that is intended to age.  Red wine is only decanted when through age sediment has accumulated in the bottle; or if you are trying to force an 'off' odor from the bottle. 

12.  Brandy is a distillate of grapes.  Distilled wine is brandy.  Good brandy should then be aged in wood to take on a mellow flavor and darker color.  Cheap brandies are filtered trhough characoal to soften their flavor and caramel color is added. 

13.  Cognac is brandy from the Cognac region in France.  Because France has strict laws governing all its wine products, one can rest assured that even an inexpensive Cognac will be a high-quality brandy. 

14.  "Port" can only be a product of Portugal.  It is called 'Porto" or "Oporto" in the U.S. to signify its authenticity.  If it just says 'Port" it may be made in the U.S. or Australia.  Port is a fortified wine and may defintely be long-aging.  It is not uncommon to find a '63 vintage still available in better wine shops or restaurants.  Unlike dry wines of that age, Port may be considered a bargain, rarely exceeding $200. a bottle.

15.  Pinot Noir is a red grape yeilding a cripser, lighter wine than other red varieties.  It is traditionally grown in Burgundy but it has found homes in the U.S. and other parts of the world.  It is a problematic, difficult grape to grow and make wine from, but when it is good it is very, very good. 

 FOR MORE INFO:  check Gary Vaynerchuck on winelibrarytv.com

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