Wine Composition & Chemistry Chapter 1

Question 1

The most prevalent of the acids found in grapes and wines.

Answer 1

Tartaric Acid

Question 2

The component that makes up 80-90% of the volume of most wines.

Answer 2

Water

Question 3

Can appear in a wine glass due to high levels of alcohol or sugar.

Answer 3

Legs

Question 4

Has little or no sensory impact on the majority of quality wines.

Answer 4

Citric Acid

Question 5

The component that makes up 10-15% of the volume of most wines.

Answer 5

Ethyl Alcohol

Question 6

A type of secondary alcohol.

Answer 6

Glycerol

Question 7

A sharp-tasting acid often associated with green apples.

Answer 7

Malic Acid

Question 8

An acid produced via the conversion of malic acid.

Answer 8

Lactic Acid

Question 9

An acid with a slightly bitter, slightly salty flavor.

Answer 9

Succinic Acid

Question 10

The acid found in most types of vinegar.

Answer 10

Acetic Acid

Question 11

Of the six main acids found in wine, list the three that are typically found in unfermented grapes.

Answer 11

Tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid

Question 12

Of the three main acids typically found in grapes, which one is found in very small quantities, so much that it requires specialized equipment to measure?

Answer 12

Citric Acid

Question 13

Of the three main acids typically found in grapes, which one is known to create crystals known as “white diamonds”?

Answer 13

Tartaric Acid

Question 14

What is the name of the wine-making process that, in addition to changing a wine’s acid components, often provides wines with a creamy texture and a “buttery” aroma?

Answer 14

Malolactic Fermintation

Question 15

What measurement is used to define the volume of all the acids present in a wine?

Answer 15

Total Acidity (TA)

Question 16

What does pH measure?

Answer 16

Combined [chemical strength] of acids

Question 17

What is a typical pH measurement range of wine?

Answer 17

2.9 - 3.9

Question 18

What pH measurement would you expect to find in a low-acid wine? A high acid wine?

Answer 18

3.9 / 2.9

Question 19

What are the two main fermentable sugars found in white grapes?

Answer 19

Glucose and Fructose

Question 20

What term is used to describe a wine that does not contain detectable sugar?

Answer 20

Dry

Question 21

Yellow pigments found in white wine.

Answer 21

Flavonols

Question 22

An aromatic compound found in oak barrels.

Answer 22

Vanillin

Question 23

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

Answer 23

Resveratrol

Question 24

One of the most common esters found in wine.

Answer 24

Ethyl Acetate

Question 25

The specific component that gives fino Sherries their distinctive aroma.

Answer 25

Acetaldehyde

Question 26

The compounds that give red wine its red, blue or purple haze.

Answer 26

Anthocyanins

Question 27

Bitter compounds found in the skins, seeds and stems of grapes.

Answer 27

Tannins

Question 28

Molecules that result from the joining of an acid and an alcohol.

Answer 28

Esters

Question 29

Substance formed via polymerization.

Answer 29

Sediment

Question 30

A preservative widely used in wine making.

Answer 30

Sulfur

Question 31

This is a type of molecule (oxidized alcohols) result when wine is exposed to air.

Answer 31

Aldehydes

Question 32

Promotes the release of the wine’s aromatic compounds.

Answer 32

Carbon Dioxide

Question 33

Sulfites must be identified if they are over what amount

Answer 33

10ppm