Test Your Wine Knowledge
A) region in Italy
B) type of trellising system C) winemaker in Italy D) varietal grown in Italy Answer: D) a varietal grown in Italy Garganega is a white varietal grown in the Veneto region in the NE of Italy. Most people who have tasted don't know that it's made up of anywhere from 60% to 100% of Soave wines. It's a delicate white with aromas of lemons and almonds. Most recently, Italian winemakers have started blending this aromatic grape with Chardonnay to give it some depth. Garganega is 5th most widely planted grape in Italy. A) Vernaccia
B) Albarino C) Chablis D) Chinon (Cab Franc from Loire) E) Sauvignon Blanc F) All of the above G) A and E only ______________________________________________ Answer is: F) All of the above To successfully pair wine with asparagus, you need to match its aromatic nature and the wine needs a fairly high acid level and preferably no oak. Asparagus is difficult to pair bacause it turns most wine into a full metal jacket around your tongue that’s hard to remove from your palate. Though all of the above wines will work with asparagus, my favorite pairing is Sauvignon Blanc because I love the racy attitude of the wine. It also meets the challenge of the aromatics asparagus head-on, resulting in an explosion of flavor. Also, Sauvignon Blanc is typically made without oak, so it’s a fairly safe bet that it will work. Embrace spring and try an asparagus pairing! Pinotage is the same thing as Pinot Noir.
__________________________________ Answer: False Pinotage is a South African creation where they crossed Pinot Noir and Cinsault. The result is a wine that has notes of cherries but the earthiness and spiciness of a Rhône wine. When Pinotage is made with care, it can be quite elegant and interesting, but a bad example of the varietal can taste like the winemaker was tarred and feathered and some fell into the vat. The tannins are usually of a medium level, as well as the body. A) a winemaker in Italy
B) a region in Italy C) a varietal in Italy D) a famous winey in Italy The answer is....... ------------------------------------------------------ C) a varietal in Italy A varietal that is indigenous to Fruili (NE Italy) and dates back to the 13th century. It is also grown in Slovenia and Greece in very small amounts but Italy is its home. It is typically light and dry with lemon-scented aromas. Some winemakers ferment in stainless steel while others do use some oak to give it a little more body. A) Gewürztraminer
B) Beaujolais C) Viognier D) Cabernet Sauvignon ——————————————————————-- Answer: D) Cabernet Sauvingnon So yes, before I have Cab fans complaining, you can serve Cabernet Sauvignon with turkey but I don't think that's an ideal choice. Save the big beefy red to snuggle up to your big meats. Explore some softer reds or lighter whites for a more harmonious balance. If you really want a big red, maybe reach for a Zinfandel. Even better would be an old-vine Zinfandel. That would be a complete American coup since Zinfandel is only grown in California. A) a winemaker
B) a winery C) an area in Argentina D) a varietal E) an insect that cause severe devastation in a vineyard _______________________________________ Answer: D Pecorino is a name of a grape grown in central Italy in areas like Osimo, Marches and Umbria. It is a non-aromatic white wine that's full bodied on the palate. Featured in this month's Everyday Libations is a lovely Pecorino that has green tea and peaches on the nose. On the palate, I swore there was oak but it was vinified in steel tanks. Goes well with salty cheese and tomatoes. A) The name of the town
B) The name of the wine C) The name of the grape D) All of the above E) A and B ______________________ Answer: D This troublesome word had me confused for the longest time. So, here's the best way I can explain it... THE TOWN Located in Tuscany in the province of Sienna. There is a wine from this area, BUT it's NOT made from the grape Montepulciano. THE WINE Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a wine from the area in Tuscany and is made mostly from Sangiovese. It is also blended with Canaiolo Nero and Mammolo and aged in oak barrels for 2 or 3 years (depends on if it is a riserva). When I see the word "Nobile," I think “not of." It's not what the word means, but that's the device I use to remind myself. However, it can also be labeled as Rosso di Montepulciano. THE GRAPE Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is wine made from the Montepulciano grape from the region of Abruzzo (central Italy). It can have some Sangiovese blended in with it. It is light, dry and fruity wine that is typically drunk young. Now if I could only be consistent in pronunciation!! (mawn-the-pool-CHA-noh). A) Sauvignon Blanc
B) Malvasia C) Grenache Blanc D) Viura ____________________________________________________ Answer: D) Viura Viura is the prominent white wine grape in Rioja. It is typically blended with Malvasia and Grenache Blanc. Another name for Viura is Macabeo. This grape is mildly fruity and has a mild acid level. It is also used in blends to create cava. What white varietal is a relative of Malvasia, is aromatic and grown in Argentina and Chile?5/25/2010
A) Viognier
B) Arneis C) Sauvignon Blanc D) Torrontés ________________________________ The answer is: D) Torrontés Torrontés is slowly gaining in popularity. Think of it as an aromatic Pinot Grigio from Argentina. While it is mostly grown in Argentina, some is also grown in Chile and is used in making Pisco. So the next time you are poolside or having some spicy Indian food and want something refreshing, reach for a bottle of Torrontés. A) A white wine varietal
B) a red wine varietal C) the name of a famous winemaker D) the name of a region in Italy __________________________________ Answer B) A red wine varietal Lagrein is a red varietal from Italy (more specifically, Alto Adige) that really struts its stuff. An earthy wine that can show spice, as well as herbaceous character and is a phenomenal food wine. I haven’t carried them much since the American palate might not like the herbaceous character as much as I do, but these are truly a treat to experience. |
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