Wine Compisition, Chemistry, and Faults

Question 1

This substance often makes a wine smell of onions or garlic

Answer 1

Mercaptan

Question 2

What is the typical pH range for wines from low to high?

Answer 2

3.9 - 2.9

Question 3

The two fermentable sugars found in grapes

Answer 3

Glucose and Fructose

Question 4

List the acids that are typically by products of fermentation

Answer 4

Lactic
Acetic
Succinic

Question 5

Six main acids found in wine

Answer 5

Tartaric
Malic
Citric
Succinic
Lactic
Acetic

Question 6

What does pH measure?

Answer 6

The combined chemical strength of all acids present

Question 7

The common name of the wine fault caused by TCA (2,4,6-trichloranisole)

Answer 7

Cork Taint (or “corked”)

Question 8

The most likely cause of the “geranium” fault

Answer 8

Incomplete malo-lactic fermentation

Question 9

An aromatic compound found in oak barrels

Answer 9

Vanillin

Question 10

This type of molecule often results when wine is exposed to air

Answer 10

Aldehyde

Question 11

This wine fault is often described as smelling like “burnt matches”

Answer 11

Sulfur Dioxide

Question 12

The main acid found in grapes and wine

Answer 12

Tartaric Acid

Question 13

Yellow pigments found in white wine

Answer 13

Flavonols

Question 14

Of the acids typically found in grapes, which are found in very small quantities?

Answer 14

Citric

Succinic

Question 15

This acid is likely to crystallize and form “wine diamonds”

Answer 15

Tartaric Acid

Question 16

Molecules that are formed by the joining of acid and an alcohol

Answer 16

Esters

Question 17

This compound is responsible for the red, blue, or purple hue found in red wines

Answer 17

Anthocyanin

Question 18

The chemical that gives Sherries their unique “oxidized” aroma

Answer 18

Acetaldehyde

Question 19

A highly volatile acid, often found in vinegar

Answer 19

Acetic Acid

Question 20

A compound found in wine believed to be beneficial to human health

Answer 20

Resveratrol

Question 21

This wine fault often smells like nail polish remover

Answer 21

Ethyl Acetate

Question 22

The most likely cause of a wine that has an unpleasant aroma of Band-Aids, as well as a “sweaty” or “horsey” odor

Answer 22

Brettanomyces (Brett)

Question 23

The main type of potable alcohol found in wine

Answer 23

Ethanol or Ethyl Alcohol

Question 24

Describe TA

Answer 24

Total Acidity: Defines the volume of all acids present in a wine