Wine Quiz

A Brief History and Types of Wine

• Wine is an alcoholic drink made from fermented grapes or other fruits and foods.

• Different varieties of grapes and strains of yeasts are major factors in different styles of wine.

• Many countries enact legal appellations intended to define styles and qualities of wine.

• Wine has been produced for thousands of years and the earliest evidence of wine is from the Caucasus region in today's Georgia (6000 BCE), Persia (5000 BCE), Italy and Armenia (4000 BCE).

• The five countries with the largest wine producing regions are in Italy, Spain, France, the United States, and China.

• Wine has long played an important role in religion and was associated with blood by the ancient Egyptians, used in the Greek cult of Dionysus and the Romans in their Bacchanalia, incorporated in the Kiddush in Judaism, and Christianity in the Eucharist.

• The spread of wine culture westwards was most probably due to the Phoenicians who spread outward from a base of city-states along the Mediterranean coast centered around modern-day Lebanon.

• The English word "wine" comes from the Proto-Germanic *winam, an early borrowing from the Latin vinum.

• Wine is made in many ways from different fruits, with grapes being the most common.

• Red wine gains its color and flavor (notably, tannins) from the grape skin, while white wine is made by pressing the grapes quickly with the juice immediately drained away from the grape skins.

• Rosé wine gains color from red grape skins, but not enough to qualify it as a red wine, and orange wine is made with white grapes but with the skins allowed to soak during pressing.

• Sparkling wines are effervescent and can be made in any of the above styles, while dessert wines have a high level of sugar remaining after fermentation.

• Wines from other fruits, such as apples and berries, are usually named after the fruit from which they are produced and are generically called fruit wine or country wine.Wine: A Comprehensive Summary

• Mead, also known as honey wine, is made by fermenting honey with water and sometimes other ingredients such as fruits, grains, or hops. It was produced in ancient times throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia and is considered one of the oldest alcoholic drinks.

• Wine is usually made from the European species Vitis vinifera, such as Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Gamay. Blended wines are a different style of wine-making, but not necessarily inferior to varietal wines. Wine can also be made from other species of grape or from hybrids.

• Terroir is a concept that encompasses the varieties of grapes used, elevation and shape of the vineyard, type and chemistry of soil, climate and seasonal conditions, and the local yeast cultures. It can result in great differences among wines, influencing the fermentation, finishing, and aging processes.

• Regulations govern the classification and sale of wine in many regions of the world. European wines tend to be classified by region, while non-European wines are most often classified by grape.

• Vintage wines are generally bottled in a single batch so that each bottle will have a similar taste. Climate's impact on the character of a wine can be significant enough to cause different vintages from the same vineyard to vary dramatically in flavor and quality. Non-vintage wines can be blended from more than one vintage to sustain a reliable market image.

• Wine tasting is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine. The sweetness of wine is determined by the amount of residual sugar in the wine after fermentation, relative to the acidity present in the wine.

• The ideal temperature for serving a particular wine is a matter of debate by wine enthusiasts and sommeliers, but some broad guidelines have emerged that will generally enhance the experience of tasting certain common wines.

• Outstanding vintages from the best vineyards may sell for thousands of dollars per bottle, though the broader term "fine wine" covers those typically retailing in excess of US$30–50. "Investment wines" are considered by some to be Veblen goods.

• Wine grapes grow almost exclusively between 30 and 50 degrees latitude north and south of the equator.

• The UK was the world's largest importer of wine in 2007.

• Wine-consumption data from a list of countries by alcohol consumption measured in liters of pure ethyl alcohol consumed per capita in a given year, according to the most recent data from the World Health Organization.

• Wine fraudsters often profit by charging excessively high prices for off-vintage or lower-status wines from well-known wine regions, while claiming that they are offering a sound investment unaffected by economic cycles. Thorough research is essential to making an informed decision.The Significance of Wine in Culture

• Wine is a popular drink that enhances a wide range of cuisines, from traditional stews to haute cuisine.

• Wine is often served with dinner and sweet dessert wines with the dessert course. Wine typically accompanies dinner in fine restaurants in Western countries.

• Wine is used as a flavor agent in stocks and braising to lend balance to rich savory or sweet dishes.

• Wine is drunk without the accompaniment of a meal in wine bars or with a selection of cheeses at a wine and cheese party.

• Wines are used as a theme for organizing various events such as festivals around the world.

• The use of wine in ancient Near Eastern and Ancient Egyptian religious ceremonies was common.

• Wine is an integral part of Jewish laws and traditions, and the libation of wine was part of the sacrificial service in the Temple in Jerusalem.

• Wine is used in a sacred rite called the Eucharist in Christianity.

• Alcoholic drinks, including wine, are forbidden under most interpretations of Islamic law.

• Wine contains ethyl alcohol, and its effects depend on the amount consumed, the span of time over which consumption occurs, and the amount of alcohol in the wine.

• Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause liver cirrhosis and alcoholism, and alcohol use is the third leading cause of early death in the United States.

• Wine is sold in glass bottles and sealed with corks. An increasing number of wine producers have been using alternative closures such as screwcaps and synthetic plastic "corks."