Wine Identification

Question 1

What type of wine is a Shiraz?
(shee-RAZZ)

Answer 1

• Red wine
• Pair with meat
  (steak, beef, wild game, etc.)
• Known as Syrah in France and the U.S., but Shiraz in Australia and South Africa

Question 2

What should you taste for in a Shiraz?

Answer 2

• blackberries and black plum
• gamey meat
• black pepper

Question 3

What type of wine is a Merlot?
* **(mer-loh)*

Answer 3

• Red wine
• Easy-to-drink softness
• A fine complement to any meal

Question 4

What should you taste for in a Merlot?

Answer 4

• dryness
• plum black cherry
• leather
• currant
• bell pepper

Question 5

What type of wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon?
(cab-er-nay saw-vee-nyon)

Answer 5

• Full-bodied red
• Common variety
• Best known in Napa Valley
• Generally goes best with simply prepared red meats

Question 6

What should you taste for in a Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 6

• full body
• dark cherry
• cedar
• tobacco
• chocolate
• black currant
• green pepper
• olive

Question 7

What type of wine is a Malbec?
(mahl-bek)

Answer 7

• Red wine
• Often blended with other varieties e.g., Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot to make Bordeaux-style wines
• Goes well with any meat dish

Question 8

What should you taste for in a Malbec?

Answer 8

• plums
• berries
• spice
• however, varies greatly

Question 9

What type of wine is a
Pinot Noir?
(pee-noh nwahr)

Answer 9

• Red wine
• Pair with grilled salmon, chicken, or lamb

Question 10

What should you taste for in a Pinot Noir?

Answer 10

• cherries
• raspberries
• earthiness

Question 11

What type of wine is a Chardonnay?
(shar-doh-nay)

Answer 11

• White wine
• Popular in the 1990s
• Pair with fish or chicken dishes

Question 12

What should you taste for in a Chardonnay?

Answer 12

• lemon or grapefruit
• pear or apple
• buttery tone
• vanilla
• toast
• coconut
• toffee

Question 13

What type of wine is a Barbera?
(bar-BEAR-ah)

Answer 13

• Red wine
• Similar to Merlot
• Goes well with many dishes, especially those with tomato sauce

Question 14

What should you taste for in a Barbera?

Answer 14

• black cherry
• plum
• silky texture
• acidity

Question 15

What type of wine is a
Sauvignon Blanc?
(**saw-vee-nyon blahnk)

Answer 15

• White wine
• Pair with seafood, poultry, and salads

Question 16

What should you taste for in a Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 16

• herbal character
• bell peppers
• freshly mown grass
• apples
• pears
• tropical fruits
• smoky quality

Question 17

What type of wine is a Sémillon?
(seh-mee-yohn)

Answer 17

• White wine
• Pair with clams, mussels, or pasta salad

Question 18

What should you taste for in a Sémillon?

Answer 18

• Fig-like character
• Often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to dilute its strong berry flavors

Question 19

What type of wine is a Muscat?
(**MUHS-kat)

Answer 19

• White wine
• Best served on its own

Question 20

What should you taste for in a Muscat?

Answer 20

• sometimes sweet
• always fruity
• reminiscent of grapefruit
• musky aroma

Question 21

What type of wine is a Sangiovese?
(san-joe-VAE-sae)

Answer 21

• Red wine
• Made from the same grapes as Chianti
• Generally bright colored and acidic

Question 22

What should you taste for in a Sangiovese?

Answer 22

• medium body
• fresh berry
• plum

Question 23

What type of wine is a Riesling?
(REESE-ling)

Answer 23

• White wine
• Often considered one of the finest wines
• Pair with fish, chicken, pork dishes, and Thai food

Question 24

What should you taste for in a Riesling?

Answer 24

• fresh apples, peaches, and/or limes
• florals
• kerosene
• ranges from dry to sweet

Question 25

What type of wine is a Gewürztraminer? *(geh-VAIRTZ-trah-mee-ner)*

Answer 25

* White wine ideal for sipping * Pair with Asian food, pork, and grilled sausages

Question 26

What should you taste for in a Gewürztraminer?

Answer 26

* Fruity flavors * Aroma of rose petals, peaches, lychees, and allspice * Not as refreshing as other whites

Question 27

What type of wine is a Pinot Grigio? *(**pee-noh GREE-joe)*

Answer 27

* White wine * Also called *Pinot Gris* * Varies from light & crisp to rich & spicy * Very versatile as a dinner wine

Question 28

What type of wine is a Petite Sirah? *(peh-TEET sih-RAH)*

Answer 28

* Red wine made from a dark, tannic grape * Different from the bolder Syrah grape * Popular in California * Often blended with Zinfandel to give more density

Question 29

What grape variety would you most likely find in a white Bordeaux? *(bor-doh)*

Answer 29

Sauvignon Blanc *Some Bordeaux blends are also made with the Sémillon grape*

Question 30

What type of wine is a White Burgundy?

Answer 30

Chardonnay

Question 31

What is a "magnum" when referring to wine?

Answer 31

The equivalent to *two standard 750 ml bottles of wine*, or *1.5 liters*

Question 32

What grape varieties can be found in a red Bordeaux? *(bor-doh)*

Answer 32

* Merlot * Cabernet Sauvignon * Cabernet Franc

Question 33

What are some popular types of sparkling wines?

Answer 33

* Prosecco * Champagne * Sekt * Cava * Crémant

Question 34

What should you taste for in a Zinfandel?

Answer 34

* berries * jam-like flavors * mild spiciness * varies depending on whether white or red

Question 35

What does it mean to say that a wine is "hot"?

Answer 35

It has a high or unbalanced alcohol level, which may create a burning sensation as you swallow