*Answers are at the bottom of this quiz.

1.  The majority of white wines from Bordeaux are a blend of which two grape varieties?

• A. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
• B. Sauvignon blanc and Semillon
• C. Semillion and Chardonnay
• D. Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay
• E. Chenin Blanc and Semillion

2.  Which country has the most grape acreage in the world?

• A. Italy
• B. France
• C. Spain
• D. United States
• E. Turkey

3.  In which counties in California are most of the Syrah grapes planted?

• A. Napa and Sonoma
• B. San Luis Obispo and Napa
• C. San Luis Obispo and Sonoma
• D. Santa Barbara and Carneros
• E. Monterey and Sonoma

4.  Which of the following is not a variety allowed to be part of the blend in Chateauneuf-du-pape?

• A. Grenache
• B. Petit Verdot
• C. Mourvedre
• D. Cinsault
• E. Picpoul

5.  What does the term sur lie mean exactly?

• A. A certain level of alcohol
• B. A certain level of acid
• C. Aging on its lees (sediment)
• D. Addition of cultured yeast cells
• E. Ambient yeast

6.  What is a Meritage wine?

• A. A wine made from a blend of grapes
• B. A wine made from a blend of red grapes that typically grow in Bordeaux
• C. A wine made from a blend of white grapes that typically grow in Bordeaux
• D. Blends that are made using white and red grape varieties from Bordeaux
• E. Blends that are made using white and red grape varieties from Burgundy.

1.  Wine Quiz Answer: B. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon

There is a misconception that Bordeaux always means red wine when infact it is also known for its excellent white wines made from a combination of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion.

2.  Wine Quiz Answer: C. Spain

Spain has the most extensive grape acreage in the world.

3.  Wine Quiz Answer: C. San Luis Obispo and Sonoma

San Luis Obispo and Sonoma Counties have the most acreage of Syrah grapes in California.

4.  Wine Quiz Answer: B. Petit Verdot

Petit Verdot, a grape seen in Bordeaux blends.

5.  Wine Quiz Answer: C. Aging on its lees (sediment)

When you said sur lie on a bottle it means that the wine has spent time aging on its lees or on sediment. The lees are often made up of dead yeast cells. Aging on the lees makes wines more full bodied, nuanced and have a taste of nuts.

6.  Wine Quiz Answer: D. Blends that are made using white and red grape varieties from Bordeaux

A Meritage wine is a wine that is made from red or white classic Bordeaux varieties to make a blend. The category was created because many winemakers felt stifled by the required minimum amount (75%) of a grape that must go into the bottle for it to be named for that variety. Some winemakers knew they could make a better wine with a blend of grapes.