Wine Quiz

Question 1

What does 'vintage' mean on a wine label?

Accepted Answer

The year the grapes were harvested

Answer

The wine is very old and expensive

Answer

The quality classification of the wine

Answer

The region where the wine was made

Question 2

What grape variety is Burgundy's Côte de Nuits primarily known for producing?

Accepted Answer

Pinot Noir

Answer

Chardonnay

Answer

Pinot Gris

Answer

Gamay

Question 3

What is the difference between 'Old World' and 'New World' wines?

Accepted Answer

Old World refers to European wine regions with long traditions; New World refers to wine regions outside Europe (Americas, Australia, South Africa, etc.)

Answer

Old World wines are sweeter; New World wines are drier

Answer

Old World uses oak barrels; New World uses stainless steel

Answer

Old World wines are more expensive; New World are cheaper

Question 4

What is a 'tannin' in wine and which type of wine has more of it?

Accepted Answer

A polyphenolic compound creating a drying sensation — more in red wine from grape skins

Answer

A type of sugar that makes wine sweet — more in white wine

Answer

A naturally occurring acid that preserves wine — equal in red and white

Answer

A flavour compound from oak barrels — only in wines aged in new oak

Question 5

Malbec is Argentina's signature grape. Where did it originally come from?

Accepted Answer

France (Cahors region)

Answer

Spain

Answer

Portugal

Answer

Italy

Question 6

What does 'Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée' (AOC) mean in French wine?

Accepted Answer

A legal guarantee that the wine was produced in a specific region following defined rules of grape varieties, yields, and methods

Answer

The wine contains no artificial additives

Answer

The wine is aged a minimum of 10 years

Answer

The wine is produced organically

Question 7

What is the primary grape of Champagne alongside Pinot Meunier?

Accepted Answer

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Answer

Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay

Answer

Pinot Blanc and Riesling

Answer

Aligoté and Chardonnay

Question 8

What is 'malolactic fermentation' (MLF) in winemaking?

Accepted Answer

A second fermentation that converts tart malic acid to softer lactic acid, reducing acidity

Answer

The process of adding yeast for the primary fermentation

Answer

Fermenting wine in clay amphorae underground

Answer

A method of concentrating wine by freezing out water

Question 9

Barolo is made from which grape variety and is known as the 'King of Wines'?

Accepted Answer

Nebbiolo

Answer

Sangiovese

Answer

Barbera

Answer

Dolcetto

Question 10

What is a 'sommelier' and what is their role in a restaurant?

Accepted Answer

A certified wine professional responsible for wine service, cellar management, and food-wine pairing in a restaurant

Answer

A wine producer who sells directly to restaurants

Answer

The chef responsible for cooking with wine

Answer

A waiter who specialises in desserts

Question 11

What is the difference between Sauvignon Blanc from Loire Valley (France) and New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

Loire Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé) tends to be more mineral and restrained; NZ (Marlborough) is more intensely aromatic with tropical fruit and 'cat's pee' character

Answer

They are identical

Answer

NZ Sauvignon Blanc is sweeter

Answer

Loire Sauvignon Blanc is always aged in oak; NZ is not

Question 12

Riesling is a grape capable of producing wines from very dry to very sweet. Which country is considered its homeland?

Accepted Answer

Germany

Answer

France (Alsace)

Answer

Austria

Answer

Luxembourg

Question 13

What does 'reserve' or 'Reserva' mean on a wine label?

Accepted Answer

It is meaningless in most countries — only legally defined in Spain and Italy

Answer

The wine is made from reserved (best) barrels, always with legal minimum ageing requirements in Spain/Italy

Answer

The wine has been stored in the winery's own reserve cellars

Answer

The wine is from a single vineyard

Question 14

What is the most planted wine grape variety in the world?

Accepted Answer

Cabernet Sauvignon

Answer

Merlot

Answer

Chardonnay

Answer

Airén

Question 15

The 'Judgment of Paris' (1976) was a significant wine tasting event. What happened?

Accepted Answer

In a blind tasting judged by French experts, California wines beat French wines — shocking the wine world

Answer

French wine producers agreed on a universal quality classification

Answer

The first official wine auction was held at the Louvre

Answer

France and California agreed a wine trade deal

Question 16

What is 'Amarone della Valpolicella' and how is it made?

Accepted Answer

A powerful dry red wine from Veneto made from grapes dried for months (appassimento) to concentrate sugars and flavours

Answer

A sweet sparkling red wine from Sicily

Answer

A Venetian rosé made from partially fermented grapes

Answer

A fortified wine from Verona aged 20 years

Question 17

What is the purpose of decanting wine?

Accepted Answer

To separate wine from sediment and expose it to air to open up aromas and soften tannins

Answer

To cool red wine quickly before serving

Answer

To add carbonation to still wine

Answer

To remove alcohol from wine

Question 18

Sauternes, one of the world's great sweet wines, gets its sweetness from which unusual process?

Accepted Answer

Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) — a fungus that concentrates sugars in the grapes on the vine

Answer

Adding sugar before fermentation

Answer

Stopping fermentation early to leave residual sugar

Answer

Adding concentrated grape juice

Question 19

What is 'terroir' and why do winemakers and wine lovers consider it so important?

Accepted Answer

The complete natural environment (soil, climate, aspect, microorganisms) of a vineyard that gives wine its unique character

Answer

The winemaker's technique — how they make the wine

Answer

The combination of grape variety and vintage year

Answer

The cellar conditions during ageing

Question 20

Château Pétrus is one of the world's most expensive wines. It is in which Bordeaux appellation and primarily made from which grape?

Accepted Answer

Pomerol, Merlot

Answer

Saint-Émilion, Cabernet Franc

Answer

Pauillac, Cabernet Sauvignon

Answer

Saint-Estèphe, Merlot