Random GuildSomm theory questions

Question 1

What are the only two DOCs in Argentina?

Answer 1

Luján de Cuyo, San Rafael

Question 2

What Super Tuscan producer is making Pinot Noir in South America?

Answer 2

The Incisa della Rocchetta family of Sassicaia; Bodega Chacra in Patagonia

Question 3

Three varieties of Torrontes in Argentina: What are they, and what’s the most planted?

Answer 3

Torrontes Riojano, Torrontes Sanjuanino, Torrontes Mendocino

Question 4

Which province of Argentina has the most Torrontes planted?

Answer 4

Mendoza has most, then La Rioja, then San Juan. Salta is currently 4th.

Question 5

What does Gran Reserva indicate on a bottle of Mendoza Malbec?

Answer 5

It’s at least two years old. Gran Reserva designation in Argentina indicates at least one year of age for whites and two for reds

Question 6

What are the three individual Txakoli DOs?

Answer 6

Getariako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, Arabako Txakolina

Question 7

What are the five GIs for Scotch Whisky

Answer 7

Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Islay, Campbeltown

Question 8

What country leads the world in percentage of wines bottled under screwcap?

Answer 8

New Zealand

Question 9

What six grapes can legally be bottled as Alsace Grand Cru?

Answer 9

Muscat Blanc a Petite Grains, Muscat Ottonel, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sylvaner, Gewurtztraminer

Question 10

In what type of still is Bourbon typically produced?

Answer 10

continuous (column) still

Question 11

Two UC Davis guys developed the heat summation scale. It’s named after one of them… who’s the other?

Answer 11

Maynard Amerine and A.J. Winkler developed the Winkler heat summation scale.

Question 12

Who is Patrick DuCournau?

Answer 12

He invented micro-oxygenation in 1991 working with Tannat grapes in Madiran.

Question 13

Agly, Têt and Tech. What do they have in common?

Answer 13

All rivers in Roussillon

Question 14

Venus Blanc de Blancs. Who makes it, what is it named after/

Answer 14

Agrapart; 1005 Chardonnay from vineyard in Avize worked by their horse, named Venus.

Question 15

In terms of total vineyard plantings, what’s the smallest AVA in Washington state?

Answer 15

Naches Heights AVA, created in 2011, is Washington’s smallest with just 40 acres of planted vines

Question 16

What country in the Southern Hemisphere has the most hectares under vine?

Answer 16

Argentina

Question 17

How many total hectares are under vine – in the world?

Answer 17

7,528,000 (give or take a few). Down from over 7,800,000 ha in 2000.

Question 18

Spain, France, Italy. What is the 4th-largest EU country in terms of vineyard acreage?

Answer 18

Portugal

Question 19

What is Rosé d’Aramon?

Answer 19

Rosé made from rare Aramon grape in Languedoc

Question 20

Name the one producer in Tasmania that produces ONLY sparkling wine.

Answer 20

Jansz

Question 21

What is the base spirit of a Créole Shrubb?

Answer 21

Rhum Agricole

Question 22

What is En Rama?

Answer 22

En Rama is a style of sherry bottled with minimal filtration or stabilization from the cask. Gaining popularity of late, most producers recommend drinking it within just a few months

Question 23

What Greek grape has an “extra” seed?

Answer 23

Xinomavro has four seeds, whereas most grapes have two. May contribute to high tannin levels.

Question 24

France saw its first AOC for a stone fruit-based eau de vie in 2010. What was it, what is it made from, where does it come from, what size bottle does it come in, and whats the ABV?

Answer 24

Kirsch de Fougerolles, 70 cl Fougerolles “bô” (an old French word for bottle), 45%ABV. From Haute-Saône, East of Dijon. Made from Cherries.

Question 25

Where in Western Australia is Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blends the most popular style?

Answer 25

Margaret River

Question 26

What is South Australia’s top source for sparkling wines?

Answer 26

Adelaide Hills

Question 27

What is Gingin?

Answer 27

The Mendoza clone of Chardonnay, used in Margaret River, and named after Gingin, a little town north of Perth.

Question 28

Where in the winemaking world is Moorabool Valley?

Answer 28

Geelong. Little known today, but in the 1860s, when Geelong was the top region in Victoria and likely all of AUS, this is where 70% of its wine was produced!

Question 29

What’s the biggest possible vineyard size for a South African wine labeled single vineyard?

Answer 29

6ha. Single Vineyard designated wines must come from vineyards 6 hectares or less according to the Wine of Origin system.

Question 30

Which wine region takes its name from the Berg River?

Answer 30

The Berg River lends its name to South Africa’s Boberg River Region, exclusively for fortified dessert wines made in Paarl, Franschhoek, Wellington and Tulbagh.

Question 31

What was the first sweet wine in S. Africa made with noble rot?

Answer 31

Nederburg Edelkeur from Chenin Blanc in 1969.

Question 32

The most widely planted grape in South Africa?

Answer 32

Chenin Blanc makes up 18% of S. Africa’s vineyard plantings, easily beating out the next most planted which is Cabernet Sauvignon at 12%.

Question 33

Acetaldehydes in wine are the product of what chemical process?

Answer 33

oxidation of ethanol

Question 34

In 1998 scandal erupted in Bordeaux as a classified growth was accused of adding Haut-Médoc wine to their second label and flavoring it with oak chips. What was the estate?

Answer 34

Château Giscours