The White Wines of France

Question 1

Name the difference in style between Riesling from Alsace and one from Germany

Answer 1

Alsace Rieslings are dry, while most German Rieslings have some residual sugar and lower ABV.

Question 2

What’s the most planted grape in Alsace?

Answer 2

Riesling

Question 3

What’s the grape variety for Sancerre and Pouilly Fume?

Answer 3

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 4

What’s the grape variety for Vouvray?

Answer 4

Chenin Blanc

Question 5

Define the term “sur lie”.

Answer 5

Wine aged on its “lees” (sediment)

Question 6

What does the word “Graves” mean in English?

Answer 6

Gravel

Question 7

The majority of white Bordeauxs use which varieties?

Answer 7

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon

Question 8

What’s the primary grape used for “Sauternes”?

Answer 8

Semillon

Question 9

What are the 3 classification levels of the Chateaux in Sauternes?

Answer 9

Grand Premier Cru, Premiers Crus, Deuxiemes Crus

Question 10

Name the main regions of Burgundy.

Answer 10

Chablis, Cote Chalonnaise, Cote ‘Or (Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaun), Maconnas, Beaujolais.

Question 11

Which region of Burgundy produces only white wines?

Answer 11

Chablis

Question 12

Which region of Burgundy produces the most red wine?

Answer 12

Beaujolais

Question 13

Does the Cote d’Or produce more reds or more whites?

Answer 13

More red

Question 14

Name 3 quality levels of Burgundy.

Answer 14

Regional appellations, Village wine, Premier cru, Grand cru

Question 15

Which are the 3 most important white wine villages in the Cote de Beaune?

Answer 15

Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet

Question 16

From which region in Burgundy does Pouilly-Fuisse come?

Answer 16

Maconnais

Question 17

In Burgundy, what does “estate bottled” wine mean?

Answer 17

The vineyard owner makes, produces, and bottles the wine.