Week 3 - black grapes

Question 1

What black grape is commonly used to make Rioja?

Answer 1

Tempranillo

Question 2

Pinot Noir:
skin - thin or thick?
climate - cool-to-moderate or moderate-to-warm? 
cultivation - easy or difficult?
acidity - low, medium or high?
tannins -  low-to-medium or medium-to-high?
fruit - red or black?
oak - small new oak, or large old oak?

Answer 2

Pinot Noir:
skin - thin
climate - cool-to-moderate 
cultivation -  difficult
acidity - high
tannins -  low-to-medium 
fruit - red
oak - large old oak

Question 3

Where can Syrah be found as a single-varietal wine in the South of France?

a. Pays d’Oc IGP
b. Côte Rôtie AOC
c. Hermitage AOC
d. Minervois AOC

Answer 3

a. Pays d’Oc IGP

Question 4

Which regions are known for their very old Grenache/Garnacha vines? Select all that apply.

a. McLaren Vale
b. Priorat
c. Minervois
d. Barossa
e. Barossa Valley

Answer 4

a. McLaren Vale
b. Priorat
d. Barossa
e. Barossa Valley

Question 5

Which of these regions produces high volumes of Tempranillo wines?

a. Rioja DOCa
b. Catalunya DO
c. Ribera del Duero DO
d. Priorat DOCs

Answer 5

b. Catalunya DO

Question 6

What a Cape Blend?

a. a blend of Pinotage & Carmenère produced in South Africa
b. a blend of Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot produced in South Africa
c. a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot produced in Argentina
d. a blend of Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot produced in Chile

Answer 6

b. a blend of Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot produced in South Africa

Question 7

Pinot Noirs from which region are more likely to show notable oak flavors?

a. Bourgogne AOC
b. California
c. Oregon
d. Casablanca Valley

Answer 7

b. California

Question 8

What effect does uneven ripening have on the style of Zinfandel/Primitivo wines?

a. overly herbaceous qualities
b. some grapes raisin before others have ripened, giving high sugar levels and dried fruit flavors
c. higher acidity level
d. lower sugar level

Answer 8

b. some grapes raisin before others have ripened, giving high sugar levels and dried fruit flavors

Question 9

What style of wines does Puglia mostly produce from Primitivo?

a. early drinking, off-dry wines
b. powerful, long-ageing premium wines
c. soft fruity high volume brands
d. fruity, inexpensive sweet rosé

Answer 9

c. soft fruity high volume brands

Question 10

What does the term ‘Château’ indicate on a Bordeaux wine label?

a. the grapes were bought from a vineyard not owned by the producer
b. the wine was produced on an historic property in Bordeaux
c. the vineyard site has been ranked as a classé wine
d. the wine was made from grapes grown on the producer’s own land

Answer 10

d. the wine was made from grapes grown on the producer’s own land

Question 11

Which of the following is a common blending partner with Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile? Select all that apply.

a. Pinot Noir
b. Merlot
c. Carmenère
d. Syrah

Answer 11

b. Merlot

c. Carmenère

Question 12

What is the name of the region in South Africa that produces high quality Cabernet Sauvignon?

a. Hawkes bay
b. Margaret River
c. Coonawarra
d. Stellenbosch

Answer 12

d. Stellenbosch

Question 13

Why would a producer choose to co-ferment a small amount of Viognier with Syrah in the Northern Rhône?

a. to dilute the color
b. to add more sweet fruit flavors to the wine
c. to add floral aromas to the wine
d. to add more tannin and color for longer ageing potential

Answer 13

c. to add floral aromas to the wine

Question 14

What natural factors help slow ripening in the Hunter Valley region for Shiraz wines? Select all that apply.

a. mountain ranges
b. high elevation
c. high cloud cover
d. sea breezes

Answer 14

c. high cloud cover

d. sea breezes

Question 15

Why would you serve Beaujolais wines lightly chilled?

a. You wouldn’t; red wines should be served at room temperature
b. to highlight the refreshing acidity & preserve delicate fruit flavors
c. it is a light-bodied white wine
d. to mask the aromas of banana and candy

Answer 15

b. to highlight the refreshing acidity & preserve delicate fruit flavors

Question 16

What does Garnacha contribute to a blend in Rioja DOCA wines?

a. high tannins
b. higher acidity
c. fuller body and red fruit flavors
d. black fruit flavors

Answer 16

c. fuller body and red fruit flavors

Question 17

Which Rhône Cru is located in the Southern Rhône?

a. Châteauneuf-du-Pape
b. Crozes-Hermitage
c. Hermitage
d. Côte Rôtie

Answer 17

a. Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Question 18

Which of these statements about Tempranillo is FALSE?
a. It is traditional in many parts of Spain to mature Tempranillo-based wines in large, old oak barrels.
b. It is traditional in many parts of Spain to mature Tempranillo-based wines in small new-oak barrels.
c. Many producers exceed the minimum ageing requirement than the labelling term regulates
d . Very good or outstanding quality Tempranillo can develop tertiary aromas of mushroom, leather & dried fruit

Answer 18

a. It is traditional in many parts of Spain to mature Tempranillo-based wines in large, old oak barrels.

Question 19

What is the main reason that Nebbiolo wines often matured for extended periods of time in oak?

a. to soften its high level of tannins
b. to give it complex tertiary aromas of mushrooms, tobacco & leather
c. to give the wine new oak aromas
d. to soften the high acidity

Answer 19

a. to soften its high level of tannins

Question 20

Which of the following is most likely to be a simple, inexpensive wine made from Sangiovese?

a. Brunello di Montalcino
b. Chianti DOCG
c. Chianti Classico DOCG
d. Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

Answer 20

b. Chianti DOCG

Question 21

Which of the following statements about Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is FALSE?

a. It is matured in oak for a short time before release
b. It has high levels of tannin & acidity
c. It has very long ageing potential
d. It is a full-bodied wine

Answer 21

a. It is matured in oak for a short time before release