Europe Level 3

Question 1

Describe Kabinett Riesling?

Answer 1

Kabinett Riesling is light-bodied, has high acidity and aromas of green and citrus fruit

Question 2

Describe Spatlese wines?

Answer 2

Compared to Kabinett theyhave a greater concentration of riper fruit flavours (typically stone fruits for Riesling), slightly higher alcohol levels (at a comparable level of residual sugar) and a fuller body.

Question 3

Describe Auslese wines?

Answer 3

Auslese wines have even riper and concentrated flavours that Spatlese. The wines often have honey characteristics and some of the grapes may have been affected by botrytis which will give added complexity of flavour.

Question 4

Describe Beerenauslese (BA) wines?

Answer 4

At must weights this high, the wine will always be sweet, reaching only relatively low levels of alcohol. With Riesling, the typical flavours are of very ripe and dried stone fruit.

Question 5

Describe Eiswein wines?

Answer 5

Riesling Eiswein tend to have high acidity and concentrated, pure peach and grapefruit flavours. Because only very small amounts are produced, Eiswein is rare and sells at premium prices.

Question 6

What is Liebfraumilch?

Answer 6

It is a medium white wine of Qualitatswein level with at least 18g/l residual sugar. Muller-Thurgau dominate the blend.

Question 7

What is a VDP logo which must appear on their wine capsules?

Answer 7

An eagle bearing a bunch of grapes

Question 8

What style of wine is produced by VDP members?

Answer 8

Much of the production is of dry wines, both white and red, although wines with residual sugar account for a significant proportion of VDP wine in the Mosel. These dry wines must be labelled Qualitatswein trocken. Pradikat levels are to be used only for wines with residual sweetness.

Question 9

What are VDP Gutswein?

Answer 9

These are regional wines, similar in style to generic or regional wines in Burgundy, which originate from a members holdings within a particular region.

Question 10

What are VDP Ortswein?

Answer 10

The equivalent of village wines in Burgundy, these are produced from grape varieties that are typical of their region.

Question 11

What is the Roter Hang?

Answer 11

Red slope is a prime vineyard site within Rheinterrasse around the town of Nierstein. The vineyard is named for its iron-rich sandstone soils, which give the soil its red hue, and the wines a distinctive mineral character.

Question 12

What is Rheinterrasse?

Answer 12

Famous informal winegrowing subregion of the Nierstein Bereich in Rheinhessen that accounts for around one-third of the total area of Riesling vines in the Rheinhessen and encompasses some of its most prized vineyards.

Question 13

Name seven most famous villages in Mosel?

Answer 13

Piesport, Brauneberg, Erden, Graach, Bernkastel, Urzig, and Wehlen

Question 14

Name eleven most famous villages in Rheingau?

Answer 14

Assmannshausen, Rudesheim, Geisenheim, Winkel, Hattenheim, Erbach, Hallgarten, Kiedrich, Hochheim, Johannisberg, and Eltville

Question 15

Name five most famous villages in Rheinhessen?

Answer 15

Nackenheim, Nierstein, Oppenheim, Westhofen, and Dalsheim

Question 16

Name seven most famous villages in Pfalz?

Answer 16

Kallstadt, Ungstein, Bad Durkheim, Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg

Question 17

Name three most famous villages in Nahe?

Answer 17

Niederhausen, Oberhausen Brucke, and Schlossbockelheim

Question 18

What is Schloss?

Answer 18

German word for castle; on a wine label it is equivalent to the French word Chateau.

Question 19

What is Osterreichische Traditionsweinguter (OTW)?

Answer 19

OTW is a group of producers, based in the Kamptal, Kremstal, Traisental, Wagram, Vienna and Carnuntum who have been classifying their vineyards, in a similar fashion to Burgundy, based on soil type and climate.

Question 20

What is Vinea Wachau?

Answer 20

Group of quality-minded producers based in Wachau. They also have classified single vineyards based on soil and climate, which can be displayed on the bottle. They have created registered trademarks for three different classifications of white wine to help indicate the style and quality.

Question 21

What is Steinfeder?

Answer 21

It is part of Vinea Wachau three tier classification. Steinfeder wines are fruity, dry wine, with a maximum of 11.5% abv. It is the lightest style of classification.

Question 22

What is Federspiel?

Answer 22

It is part of Vinea Wachau three tier classification. Federspiel wines are more concentrated than Steinfeder, they are dry with alcohol ranging from 11.5-12.5% abv.

Question 23

What is Smaragd?

Answer 23

It is part of Vinea Wachau three tier classification. Smaragd wines are typically a highly concentrated, dry wine, with ripe fruit flavours; minimum 12.5% abv.

Question 24

What is the first in Spain and probably most well-known Vino de Pago in Castilla-La Mancha?

Answer 24

Dominio de Valdepusa, producing wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot.

Question 25

What is the most important variety in Toro DO?

Answer 25

Red wines must be a minimum of 75 per cent Tinta de Toro, with the remainder being Garnacha.

Question 26

What are the synonyms for Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero DO?

Answer 26

Tinto Fino or Tinta del Pais

Question 27

City of Logrono is found in what region?

Answer 27

Rioja

Question 28

What are the most important white varieties in Navarra DO?

Answer 28

Chardonnay is the principal white grape. Sauvignon Blanc, Viura and Malvasia are also grown.

Question 29

What are the most important red varieties in Navarra DO?

Answer 29

Tempranillo isthe most planted grape, usually made as single varietal wine. Others are Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, which are usually made as blends.

Question 30

What are the most important white varieties in Navarra DO?

Answer 30

Chardonnay is the principal white grape. Sauvignon Blanc, Viura and Malvasia are also grown.

Question 31

What is the most important red variety in La Mancha DO?

Answer 31

Tempranillo (Cencibel), most planted black variety made in a fruity style with short contact with oak.

Question 32

What is the most important white variety in La Mancha DO?

Answer 32

Airen, with around 90,000 ha, neutral variety fermented in stainless steel to make a low-intensity, medium-acidity white wine for early consumption. However, much of its production is transported south for distillation into Brandy de Jerez.

Question 33

What are the most important red varieties in Costers Del Segre DO?

Answer 33

A wide range of both international and local varieties are permitted, including Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for red and rose wines.

Question 34

What are the most important white varieties in Costers Del Segre DO?

Answer 34

A wide range of both international and local varieties are permitted, including Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo (much of which is used in Cava production), Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca and Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 35

What is the Portuguesse term for PDO wines?

Answer 35

Denominacao de Origem Protegida (DOP). Traditional term was Denominacao de Origem Controlada (DOC)

Question 36

What is the Portuguesse term for PGI wines?

Answer 36

Vinho Regional (VR). There are 14 VRs in Portugal

Question 37

What are the most important grapes used for Dao DOC red wines?

Answer 37

Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen (Mencia) and Alfrocheiro, often blended but could be made as single varietal. Around 80 per cent of production in the region is of red wine. Overall, red wines from Dao tend to be less full-bodied and intense than those from the Douro, often with fresher flavours and higher acidity.

Question 38

What are the most important varieties used for Alentejo DOC red wines?

Answer 38

Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet and Trincadeira, often produced as a blend. Some international grape varieties are also permitted, and out of these Syrah is the most commonly used.

Question 39

Sandy phylloxera-free soils and ungrafted vines are found in what part of Lisboa?

Answer 39

Colares DOP. It is famous as much for its sandy; phylloxera-free soils and ungrafted vines as the robust; tannic red wine it produces from Ramisco grapes which is out of fashion these days.