The WSET / ISG Challenge Number 10: Fortified Wines

Prized by the British as an aperitif, Sherry and Madeira are the topic for this week’s

challenge. According to Emile Peynaud (shown right) in his definitive book, The Taste of Wine, fortification is:

a method of preserving wine and protecting it from attack by bacteria. As alcohol of 16 to 18 degrees will kill most bacteria it is no longer necessary to take so much care to keep the wine from oxygen contact and it can be exposed to air in partially full barrels. This method of storage promotes what is known as oxidative ageing. The wine develops an oxidative bouquet, characterized by aldehydic compounds smelling of quince, apple, dried nuts butter, rancio and Madeira. It is this type of ageing that led Pasteur to say “oxygen makes the wine.”

Which grape variety is most commonly used in the production of Fino Sherry?

1. Pedro Ximénez

2. Parellada

3. Pais

4. Palomino

Which one of the following Madeira grape varieties would be made into the driest style of wine?

1. Sercial

2. Verdelho

3. Baul

4. Malmsey

If you're finding these quizes useful, be sure to vote Blanc de Noir up from Number Four blog at Local Wine Events.

FYI: As always, these are actual practice questions from Frank’s WSET and ISGstudies. Let us know how you’re enjoying them and using them. Salude!

The WSET / ISG Challenge Number Nine: Fall in Love with Burgundy

Burgundy is one of those wine regions many people think they know, but often don’t. I remember a lengthy debate several years ago with a friend who was convinced Burgundy was a grape variety. Many casual wine drinkers still aren’t aware Beaujolais is part of this region.

But one thing’s for sure, getting to know Burgundy is worth the effort. Here come Frank’s two insights for this week.

Which village is in the Côte de Beaune?

1. Pommard

2. Gevrey Chambertin

3. Vosne Romanee

4. Vougeot

Answer: #1

The Côte de Or is divided into two parts: the Côte de Nuits in the north and Côte de Beaune in the south. Geverey Chambertin (which has nine Grand Crus), Vosne Romanee (with eight of the most prestigious Grand Crus), and Vougeot (home of one Grand Cru) are all in the Côte de Nuits. Pommard is in the Côte de Beaune and has no Grand Cru vineyards.

Which Burgundy appellation produces the most wine?

1. Beaujolais

2. Chablis

3. Mâcon Villages

4. Musigny

Answer: #1 (again)

With a total vineyard area of 20,500 hectares, Beaujolais produces by far the most wine of these four - besides the image was just too much fun not to include. Chablis is a distant second with 2,860 hectares. Mâcon Villages, comprised of 26 Villages in the Mâconnais, has only 1,336 hectares. Musigny is a small Grand Cru vineyard in Chambolle-Musigny.

More great information about Burgundy.

FYI: These are actual practice questions from Frank’s WSET and ISG studies. Let us know how you’re enjoying them and using them.

The WSET / ISG Challenge Number Nine: Fall in Love with Burgundy

Burgundy has a long and venerable history. In fact, according to Jancis Robinson’s Oxford Companion to Wine, “when the Romans conquered Gaul in 51 BC, they probably found the
Celts in habiting what is now Burgundy already growing wine, although the earliest literary evidence dates from 312 AD.”

Here are two test questions to challenge your knowledge of this perennial favourite.

Which village is in the Côte de Beaune?

1. Pommard

2. Gevrey Chambertin

3. Vosne Romanee

4. Vougeot

Which Burgundy appellation produces the most wine?

1. Beaujolais

2. Chablis

3. Macon Villages

4. Musigny

FYI: These are actual practice questions from Frank’s WSET and ISG studies. Let us know how you’re enjoying them and using them.

Both images shown are originally published on Wikipedia.

The WSET / ISG Challenge Number Eight: Where in the World is That?

It’s attempting to snow here in Vancouver. But thinking about the Loire is a great way to warm up, and the Loire is what this week’s quiz was all about. Plus, here's a piece of trivia for you.

The Loire also is reputed to have more chateaux than any other single region in the world - which is why both images in this post feature one. Now here goes for the answers.

Menetou Salon is located in:

1. Nanatais
2. Anjou Saumar
3. Touraine
4. Central Vineyards

Answer: 4.

Located in the Loire’s Central Vineyards, Menetou-Salon is located near Bourges and just west of the more famous Sancerre. Jancis Robinson describes the range of wines from this region as similar to Sancerre and often offering better value.

Bonnezeaux is made from:

1. Chenin Blanc

2. Sauvignon Blanc

3. Chardonnay

4. Merlot

Answer: 1

Chenin Blanc is the only authorized variety in the Bonnezeaux appellation. For a truly enthusiastic description, check out the Wines of France website that says “although it has only 90 hectares of vineyards, Bonnezeaux is nevertheless the shining star of the Loire’s Chenin Blanc producers. Bonnezeaux wines develop intense aromas of flowers, white fruit and tropical fruit which evolve over time to notes of precious woods, fruit preserves and honey that are balanced by Chenin Blanc’s elegant liveliness.”

FYI: These are actual practice questions from Frank’s WSET and ISG studies. Let us know how you’re enjoying them and using them.

The WSET / ISG Challenge Number Eight: Where in the World is That?

Happy New Year and welcome to the first edition of the WSET / ISG Challenge for 2011. This year is going to be a great one for tastings and exciting events in the wine industry. Here’s a teaser for one that you should mark on your calendar.

The first Tales of the Cocktail on Tour and mini-festival will be held in Vancouver from March 13-15, 2011. Tickets are priced from $155 and go on sale Saturday, January 15 at TalesoftheCocktail.com.

And now, here comes this week’s quiz.

Menetou Salon is located in:

1. Nantais
2. Anjou Saumur
3. Touraine
4. Central Vineyards

Bonnezeaux is made from:

1. Chenin Blanc

2. Sauvignon Blanc

3. Chardonnay

4. Merlot

FYI: These are actual practice questions from Frank’s WSET and ISG studies. Let us know how you’re enjoying them and using them.

Graffiti and Wine

What does graffiti have to do with wines? We wondered that too, but we're going to keep you guessing for a minute or two.

First, there are two new wines from Argentina, both just listed at the LCB and some local stores. While this isn't normally noteworthy, the way these wines are being put to market is a little unusual. Think: graffiti on a wall in Toronto and you're on the right track.

Both these wines are made by Graffigna, Argentina's second oldest winery. Established in 1870, Graffigna is located north of Mendoza in the San Juan Valley and bordering on Chile - high altitude and a hot dry climate.

The 100% Malbec is a deal at the price and is aged in both French and American oak. Here are the tasting notes from the winery:

Color: deep red with violet highlights

Aromas: of great complexity with very ripe dark berries, a touch of black pepper and spicy fragrances.

Palate: well integrated delicate ripe tannins and complex finish with hints of coffee, vanilla and toast.

Suggested Retail around $14.00.

Next up is a Pinot Grigio. The following tasting note is from the LCB site, and we've included the SKU to make it easier to find. Another great value Argentinean wine with spice, pear, and ripe citrus aromas on the nose. It's slightly fuller bodied than most Italian versions too, which makes it a great white wine for meat.

SKU: #915918 in the government liquor stores and also available at Legacy Liquor Store.

Okay, now for the fun stuff - the graffiti part. To commemorate this wine, the importer and winery have hired Jaz, a local street artist, to paint a wall mural in Toronto. To quote the press release, “Jaz’s vibrant work can be seen on the streets of cities around the world from Madrid to Montevideo. With this launch event, Graffigna brings together two of Argentina’s most powerful cultural expressions for Canadians to enjoy."

The importer toured the country with paintings from this artist to showcase both the wines and the art. We're going to let the art speak for itself as we really couldn't decide how many points to give it. Wait a minute. Oh right, you don't give points to works of art.

Susan was out of town (lazying about on a Mexican beach apparently, the lucky woman) for the official launch which took place in the wine room at Cin Cin on Robson. A good time was had by all, and for the benefit of anyone else who missed it, here's a video clip of an interview with the artist.

The WSET / ISG Challenge Number 7: A Medley of Miscellany

All things German was the theme for this week’s quiz. Naturally though, the answers might not have been as simple as they appeared.

What is a Reichenstenier?

1. A grape variety
2. A QWPSR in Germany
3. A village in the Rheingau
4. A village in the Rheinhessan

Answer: 1. Reichenstenier is a grape variety that was developed in Germany in 1939 using Müller-Thurgau as one parent and a crossing of Madeleine Angevine and Early Calabrese for the other. Oz Clarke describes Reichenstenier has having “dull flavours which, though “not exactly resembling a Calabrese cabbage, have swathed themselves in the neutrality of the Müller-Thurgau.” Most of Germany’s production occurs in the Rheinhessan although plantings are also found in the UK and New Zealand. This grape is resistant to rot, reaches high sugar levels, but is overall not memorable for taste.

Edelfäule is what?

1. A bereich in the Rheingau
2. A field blend from Alsace
3. Noble Rot
4. A synonym for Riesling used in the Rheingau

Answer: 3. Edelfäule is the benevolent form of Botrytis that gives some of the world’s finest and most long-lived sweet wines – Sauternes and Tokaji being arguably the best known – their distinctive taste.

There is a wealth of information on Noble Rot available, but one popular myth found on Wikipedia suggests the remarkable taste it imparts was discovered in 1775 when the Riesling producers at Schloss Johannisberg, awaited the tradition go ahead from the estate owner, Heinrich von Bibra, Bishop of Fulda, before cutting their grapes. Unbeknownst to them, the abbey messenger was robbed en route and the cutting delayed three weeks – ample time for the Botrytis to take hold. The grapes were presumed worthless and given to local peasants, who produced a surprisingly good, sweet wine which subsequently became known as Spätlese, or late harvest wine.

FYI: These are actual practice questions from Frank’s WSET and ISG studies. Let us know how you’re enjoying them and using them.

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The WSET / ISG Challenge Number 7: A Medley of Miscellany

Happy Boxing Day to all our readers. We hope you indulged in some wonderful times with friends and family yesterday, and that your celebrations included some equally wonderful vintages. This week, Frank’s chosen a couple of miscellaneous questions to test your skills. Tune in tomorrow for answers.

What is a Reichenstenier?

1. A grape variety
2. A QWPSR in Germany
3. A village in the Rheingau
4. A village in the Rheinhessan

Edelfavle is what?

1. A bereich in the Rheingau
2. A field blend from Alsace
3. Noble Rot
4. A synonym for Riesling used in the Rheingau

FYI: The picture above left is a field in the Rheingau region, below right is a village in Alsace that was simply too pretty not to show you. As always, these are actual practice questions from Frank’s WSET and ISG studies. Let us know how you’re enjoying them and using them.

 

The WSET / ISG Challenge Number Five: Argentina

Time to grab some Malbec and find the answers to this week's practice questions.

True or False: There is more Malbec planted in Argentina than anywhere else in the world.

True. Although Malbec is planted in various wine regions throughout France (including Bordeaux and South West France), the total acreage began decreasing in the early 20^th Century as Merlot and Cabernet Franc began gaining popularity. By 1968 plantings in the Libournais was down to 12,100 acres (4,900 hectares) and fell further to 3,460 acres (1,400 hectares) by 2000. It’s estimated that two thirds of the world’s Malbec is grown in Argentina.

What Argentina wine region is located in Patagonia?

1. Nuequen

2. Jujoy

3. La Rioja

4. Salta

If you don’t know the answer right away, this question can be solved by a process of elimination. Patagonia is located at the southernmost point of South America. Since Jujuy and Salta high elevation regions in the northwest, neither of these can be the correct answer. La Rioja was not a trick question – there is a small wine region of 20,000 acres, also in the northwestern part of Argentina. Therefore, the correct answer is Neuquen.

FYI: These are actual practice questions from Frank’s WSET and ISG studies. Let us know how you’re enjoying them and using them.