* Answers are at the bottom of this quiz.

1.  If an individual vineyard is on a label then at least what % of the grapes must have been grown at that vineyard?

A. 65%
B. 75%
C. 85%
D. 95%
E. If an individual vineyard is noted on the label , 95% of the grapes must be from the named vineyard, which must be located in an approved AVA.

2.  What does herbaceous mean when describing wine?

A. A wine that is made from herbs and spices.
B. A wine with a vegetal smell.
C. A wine that is bought mostly by men named Herb.

3.  Phylloxera vastatrix is a devastating insect pest that ravaged the world’s vineyards in the late 19th century and has forced almost all vines to be planted on grafted rootstock to this day. Which major wine producing nation has never encountered significant problems with phylloxera?

A. South Africa.
B. Australia.
C. Chile.
D. New Zealand.

4.  In winemaking, "pomace" is?

A. Rocky soil from the vineyard.
B. A cake of sediment left after filtering.
C. Grape skins, seeds and stems after pressing.
D. Slurry at bottom tank after racking off the clear wine.

5.  That silver ashtray-thing around the sommelier’s neck is called a tastevin and is used to taste wine out of. Why?

A. Its facets reflect light.
B. The metal softens wine’s acids and tannins.
C. The bumps help aerate wine when swirled.

6.  Which of the following is NOT part of a grape cluster stem system?

A. Rachis
B. Peduncle
C. Meristem
D. Pedicel

1.  Wine Quiz Answer: D. 95%

2.  Wine Quiz Answer: B. A wine with a vegetal smell.
A wine that has a green, vegetable smell. For example, sauvignon blanc is grassy when subtle, herbaceous when overpowering.

3.  Wine Quiz Answer: C. Chile
Chile is unique among wine regions in that the vast majority of its grape vines are planted on their own vitis vinifera roots. Experts are uncertain as to why Chile has been spared from phylloxera. It may be due to Chile’s unusually isolated geography, protected by the high-altitude spine of the Andes to the east and the icy currents of the Pacific to the west. Or, the unusually long, dry growing season combined with inhospitable soils may deter the spread of the root-sucking louse. But, whatever the reason, freedom from the scourge of phylloxera is undoubtedly one of the features that makes Chile a garden of Eden for growing wine grapes.

4.  Wine Quiz Answer: C. Grape skins, seeds and stems after pressing.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaPomace (pronounced /’p?m?s/ PUM-is) or marc (pronounced /m??rk/) is the solid remains of grapes, olives, or other fruit after pressing for juice or oil. It contains the skins, pulp, seeds, and stems of the fruit.Grape pomace has traditionally been used to produce pomace brandy (such as grappa or zivania) and grape seed oil. Today, it is mostly used as fodder or fertilizer.

5.  Wine Quiz Answer: A. Its facets reflect light
Perhaps the sommelier wants to keep you in the dark. Developed for merchants evaluating wine in candlelit cellars, the tastevin is obviously unnecessary in modern restaurants. But tradition dies hard. Especially when it’s silver and makes you look important.

6.  Wine Quiz Answer: C. Meristem
Peduncle is the main stem where the cluster is suspended from the cane; Pedicel is the stem connecting the grape itself to the cluster stem; the cluster stem is caled the Rachis; a Meristem is found on new shoots and roots.