Wine Taste Quiz: Test Your Wine Tasting Knowledge

Study Notes

Method of Judging Wine:

Wine tasting is a sensory examination and evaluation of wine, with a formalized methodology established from the 14th century.
Professional wine tasters use specialized terminology to describe the perceived flavors, aromas, and general characteristics of wine.
Scientific blind wine tasting suggests the unreliability of wine tasting in both experts and consumers, with inconsistency in identifying wines based on region and price.
The methodology of wine tasting was formalized by the 18th century, and the practice of tasting is as old as the history of wine.
Wine tasting is often done in isolation, but a wine's quality assessment is more objective when performed alongside several other wines.
Blind tasting involves serving the wine without the taster(s) having seen the label or bottle shape to ensure impartial judgment.
Expectations about wines based on their geographic origin, producer, vintage, color, and other factors can bias a taster's judgment.
Vertical and horizontal wine tastings are arranged to highlight differences between similar wines, and tasting flights involve sampling and comparison of wines.
A tasting note is a taster's written testimony about the aroma, taste identification, acidity, structure, texture, and balance of a wine.
The temperature that a wine is served at can greatly affect the way it tastes and smells, and the shape of a wineglass can have a subtle impact on the perception of wine.
The bouquet of wine is best revealed by gently swirling the wine in a wine glass to expose it to more oxygen and release more aromatic etheric, ester, and aldehyde molecules that make up the essential components of a wine's bouquet.
As part of the tasting process, and as a way of comparing the merits of the various wines, wines are given scores according to a relatively set system.Wine Tasting and Sensory Analysis
Wine tasters usually spit the wine out after assessing its quality at formal tastings to avoid getting intoxicated.
Tasting plays an important role in sensory analysis and consumer preference testing of wine.
Oenologists perform various tests on the taste, aroma, mouthfeel, and appeal of wines.
Difference tests help determine whether different fermentation conditions or new vineyard treatments alter the character of a wine.
Preference testing establishes consumer preference, while descriptive analysis determines the most prominent traits of the wine.
Blind tasting and other laboratory controls help mitigate bias and assure statistically significant results.
Many large wine companies have their own sensory teams consisting of a Ph.D. sensory scientist, a flavor chemist, and a trained panel.
Wine schools offer wine tasting classes to the public and professional training for sommeliers and winemakers.
E-learning programs are also available to learn how to assess wine methodically.
Wine grape varieties are evaluated according to a wide range of descriptors that draw comparisons with other non-grape flavors and aromas.
Wine tasting etiquette includes spitting, inquiring about where to spit, and using a spittoon.
Tasting from twenty to twenty-five samplings can still produce an intoxicating effect, depending on the alcoholic content of the wine.

Description

Are you a wine lover or aspiring sommelier? Test your knowledge of the method of judging wine with this quiz! From the formal methodology established in the 14th century to the importance of blind tasting and sensory analysis, this quiz will challenge your understanding of wine tasting. Learn about the factors that can bias a taster's judgment and the various tests performed by oenologists. Discover the etiquette involved in wine tasting and the importance of spitting. Take the quiz and see how much you really