Grapes and Regions
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon are the three main grapes in Bordeaux blends. Which one of these three is the dominant grape on Bordeaux's right bank, in areas like Pomerol and Saint-Émilion?
What is Merlot?
In Rioja, Spain, a wine labeled 'Reserva' must spend a minimum of how many months aging in oak barrels?
What is 12 months?
Every wine goes through this process, where yeast eats the sugar in grape juice and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide as a result. What is this process called?
What is Fermentation?
Wine was so important to ancient Romans that they had a god dedicated entirely to it. What was his name?
What is Bacchus?
Whats Phoenixs Favorite Movie?
What is GOAT?
Pinot Noir is the king grape of this French region, which is split into two famous sub-zones: the Côte de Nuits in the north and the Côte de Beaune in the south. Name the region.
What is Burgundy (Bourgogne)?
A French wine label reads "Mis en bouteille au château." What does this phrase tell you about where the wine was bottled?
What is It was bottled at the same property (château) where the grapes were grown and the wine was made.
Many winemakers put their wine through a second process after fermentation, often called "malo." It converts the naturally sharp malic acid in wine into a softer-tasting acid. What is that softer acid called?
What is Lactic acid (the process is called malolactic fermentation)
A standard bottle of wine contains approximately how many grapes — is it closer to 100, 400, or 750?
What is 750?
Whats Phoenixs Favorite Toy?
What is Iron Man and Green Lantern Action Figures?
In Spain's Rioja region, this grape is called Tempranillo. What is it called in the neighboring Ribera del Duero region?
What is Tinto Fino?
A German wine labeled 'Spätlese' is harvested later than normal, but what does 'Auslese' specifically indicate about how the grapes were selected?
What is Auslese means 'select harvest' — grapes are hand-selected, choosing only the ripest bunches, often with some botrytis influence?
In whole-cluster fermentation, the winemaker does NOT do one specific thing before putting the grapes in the fermentation tank. What step are they skipping?
What is Destemming — the grape bunches are left whole with their stems attached, rather than having the grapes stripped off the stems first.
This country, not France or Italy, is actually the world's highest per-capita wine consuming nation as of recent years — meaning its citizens drink more wine per person than anywhere else. Name the country.
What is Vatican City (due to its tiny population and wine used in religious ceremonies, it tops per-capita charts every year)
Art Music or Gym?
What is Art?
This Italian DOC sits on the slopes of an active volcano in eastern Sicily. Its whites are made primarily from Carricante, and its reds from Nerello Mascalese. Name the DOC.
What is Etna DOC?
Italy has two major wine quality classifications: DOC and DOCG. What does the extra "G" in DOCG stand for, and what one additional requirement must a DOCG wine meet before it can be sold?
The "G" stands for Garantita (guaranteed). A DOCG wine must pass an official government tasting panel before it is approved for release — DOC wines do not have this requirement.
A wine described as having "brett" has been affected by a yeast called Brettanomyces. Which one of the following aromas is brett most commonly associated with: (A) vanilla, (B) barnyard or leather, or (C) green pepper?
What is (B) — barnyard or leather (brett produces a compound called 4-ethylphenol, which gives that savory, funky aromas)
In the 1970s, a blind tasting in Paris shocked the wine world when California wines beat French wines in every category. What is this historic event now called?
What is the Judgement of Paris (1976)?
Whats the Name of Phoenixs Cub Scout Groups
What are Tigers or Tiger Cubs?
Which Napa Valley AVA, located at the valley's northern tip, is known for producing some of the region's most powerful Cabernet Sauvignon and shares its name with a famous hot spring's town?
What is Calistoga AVA?
On a Champagne label, the initials "R.M." stand for Récoltant-Manipulant. What do those initials tell you about where the grapes in that bottle came from?
What is An R.M. producer must grow at least 95% of their own grapes — they cannot buy fruit from outside growers
"Sur lie" aging means a wine is left to rest on its spent yeast cells after fermentation. What specific texture or flavor does this process add to a wine?
What is Sur lie aging adds a creamy, rich texture and bread-like or brioche flavors.)
In the 1970s, a blind tasting in Paris shocked the wine world when California wines beat French wines in every category. What is this historic event now called?
What is 750ml was approximately the lung capacity of a glassblower, meaning it was the largest bottle they could blow in a single breath. It became the industry standard from there.
What was the Design of the Blanket Phoenix First Rolled Over on?
What is Polka Dot?