- Can you match each of the following countries with its famous wine product?
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A. Chianti--a red wine in a straw-wrapped bottle 1. Hungary B. Pinotage--a hybrid red wine 2. Italy C. Tokay (Tokaj)--a sweet dessert wine 3. USA (California) D. White ("Pink") Zinfandel--a sweet, fruity wine 4. South Africa
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- True or False: Although many countries produce sherry, it is traditionally associated with Belgium.
- What accounts for the sweetness of the white wines known as Sauternes?
- A. A fungal infection, botrytis cinerea (a.k.a. noble rot), on the grapes
- B. Individual grapes are hand-picked at the peak of ripeness
- C. The Sauterne grape is one of the sweeter varieties of grapes
- D. All of the above
- Port comes from Portugal, but for centuries, the export of the wine has been largely controlled by vineyard owners from which country?
- A. Spain
- B. England
- C. The Netherlands
- Sake is thought of as a Japanese rice wine (although it is technically a rice beer). True or False: Sake is properly served heated.
- Which country is the largest wine producer in South America?
- A. Argentina
- B. Brazil
- C. Chile
- In the last century, the phylloxera louse devastated many of the world's best wine-producing grapes. True or False: Geographically isolated, the vineyards of Chile have never been infected by phylloxera.
- Australia has become a major wine producer. Which of the following is NOT true about Australian winemaking?
- A. The Syrah grape is also called Shiraz.
- B. Radically different grapes may be combined in wine, such as the unique Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon blend.
- C. Wine has replaced beer as the preferred drink in Australia.
- New Zealand also exports wine. True or False: New Zealand produces wine which is nearly identical to that of Australia.
- Madeira is another product of Portugal. True or False: Until the second half of the 19th century, it was the most popular wine in the USA.
Answers
- A,2; B,4; C,1; D,3
- False. Sherry is a traditional product of Spain.
- D. Sauternes are also grown in Bordeaux, France.
- B. The British took over the Port trade during the 17th century,when they were at war with France and needed a substitute for French wine.
- True. Many recommend a temperature of 100 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
- A. Although Chilean wines are better known in the export market, Argentina's wine production is about four times greater than Chile's.
- True.
- C. Beer remains the Aussies' #1 alcoholic drink.
- False. New Zealand is generally cooler than Australia, and the climate yields different wines.
- True. Disease and poor weather so damaged Madeira's crop that it lost popularity after 1920.