*Answers are at the bottom of this quiz.
1. What does Crianza mean in Spain?
- A. Released after two years of aging with a minimum of one year in oak barrels.
- B. Released after two years of aging with a minimum of two year in oak barrels.
- C. Released after two years of aging with a minimum of four year in oak barrels.
- D. Released after two years of aging with a minimum of six months in oak barrels.
- E. Released after two years of aging with a minimum of eighteen months in oak barrels.
2. The term Flurbereinigung refers to what?
- A. Dividing German wine estates among multiple inheritors
- B. German sweet dessert wines
- C. Re-consolidating German vineyards previously split under quasi-feudal inheritance laws
- D. The process of farming steep hillside vineyards in Germany
3. True or False: The higher your emotional ties to wine and food matching, the less likely you are to perceive the match as a good one.
- A. True
- B. False
4. Mendoza is well known for Malbec, but what grape varieties comprised the dominant plantings before the expansion of Malbec?
A. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
B. Sauvignon Blanc and Ugni Blanc
C. Tempranillo and Grenache
D. Cereza and Criolla Grande
5. Which Southwestern French red wine grape seems to have found a spiritual home in Uruguay?
- A. Abouriou
- B. Malbec
- C. Merlot
- D. Tannat
6. Argentina’s vineyards are planted up to about what elevation?
- A. 4000 feet
- B. 7000 feet
- C. 10,000 feet
- D. 12,000 feet
1. Wine Quiz Answer: A. Released after two years of aging with a minimum of one year in oak barrels.
Released after two years of aging with a minimum of one year in oak barrels.
2. Wine Quiz Answer: C. Re-consolidating German vineyards previously split under quasi-feudal inheritance laws
Flurbereinigung is the post Word War II re-consolidation of land that previously, due to old inheritance laws, divided (what were previously single) German wine estates among multiple owners. Prior to Flurbereinigung, after many centuries this equal division of farmlands among heirs meant that many German farmers owned small non-adjacent vineyard plots, creating a logistic nightmare for accessing and farming those vineyards.
3. Wine Quiz Answer: B. False
According to Master of Wine Tim Hanni’s research into food and wine pairing, the more emotionally invested you are in selecting a particular wine to match with a particular food, the more likely you are to perceive that match as working well. Hanni cites this as a psychological phenomenon, and a "self-fulfilling prophecy of wine and food matching, not an experiential reality."
4. Wine Quiz Answer: D. Cereza and Criolla Grande
Historically, Cereza and Criolla Grande were favored in Mendoza plantings for their high yield, before giving way to Malbec. They still comprise about one quarter of the plantings in the region. Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo are now gaining momentum in Argentina – and increased acreage in Mendoza.
5. Wine Quiz Answer: D. Tannat
Tannat (also sometimes called Harriague) was introduced to Uruguay by 19th century Basque settlers. Now it is made in a wide variety of styles in that South American country, from light to tannic and even sweet. Because of its promising success, plantings of Tannat have been increasing year on year in Uruguay.
6. Wine Quiz Answer: C. 10,000 feet
Argentina has vineyards planted up to 9,800 feet above sea level, which is roughly a third the height of Mt. Everest (and probably higher than most of us would be willing to hike on a normal basis). At these altitudes, hail and frost are the primary vineyard concerns, however the vines also enjoy more tempered high and low temperatures and more sunlight, which are beneficial for grape development.