Red Wines of France, Italy, Spain, and USA: A Detailed Look

Posted on Feb 2, 2025 in Humanities and Cultural Studies

Burgundy and Rhône Valley Reds

1. What grape variety is red Burgundy from Beaujolais made from?
   1. Gamay
2. Beaujolais Nouveau is aged for a minimum of 12 months before being released.
   1. False
3. Burgundy has more than 500 Premier Cru vineyards.
   1. True
4. What grape variety are all red Burgundies other than those from the Beaujolais region made from?
   1. Pinot Noir
5. Which grape variety is known as “the heartbreak grape” because it is so difficult to grow?
   1. Pinot Noir
6. According to the video, Burgundian Pinot Noir does not age well and should be consumed within three years of being bottled.
   1. False
7. Burgundy’s reputation for winemaking dates back more than 2,000 years.
   1. True
8. How important is soil as an element of making quality wines in Burgundy?
   1. Very Important
9. The Rhône Valley produces mainly red wines.
   1. True
10. What are the two major red grape varieties grown in the Rhône Valley?
    1. Syrah and Grenache
11. How many different grape varieties may be used in Châteaunuef-du-Pape?
    1. 13
12. Most of the wine produced in the Rhône Valley comes from grapes grown in the southern region.
    1. True
13. A typical red Côtes-du-Rhône wine has more body and alcohol than a typical red Beaujolais.
    1. True
14. According to the videos on the Rhône Valley, this French region produces great value wines.
    1. True

Bordeaux Reds

1. In what year did the best Châteaux of the Médoc classify?
   1. 1855
2. How many Châteaux were classified in total in the Médoc classification?
   1. 61
3. How many first growths were originally classified in the Médoc classification?
   1. 4 (would be 5 if talking over time)
4. How many wine regions (appellations) are there in Bordeaux?
   1. 57
5. What is the English word for red Bordeaux wines?
   1. Claret
6. What is the main red grape grown on the “left bank” of Bordeaux?
   1. Cabernet Sauvignon
7. What is the main red grape grown on the “right bank” of Bordeaux?
   1. Merlot
8. The Grand Cru Classés Châteaux of Bordeaux produce most of Bordeaux’s wines.
   1. False
9. Most Bordeaux wines cost more than $25.
   1. False
10. Most Bordeaux red wines are a blend of grape varieties.
    1. True
11. A château depicted on a Bordeaux label may not actually exist.
    1. False
12. What are the three main red grape varieties used in Bordeaux (in any order)?
    1. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

USA Reds

1. A Meritage wine made in the USA is a blend made from the classic wine-grape varieties used in the wines of which region of France?
   1. Bordeaux
2. The word “reserve” on the label of a Californian wine:
   1. Has no legal meaning
3. Which red grape is the Napa Valley most famous for (also the most planted grape)?
   1. Cabernet Sauvignon
4. Which grape grown in California is known as “Primitivo” in Italy?
   1. Zinfandel
5. What is the top county for Pinot Noir in California?
   1. Sonoma
6. Name the two California counties that have the most Syrah grapes planted.
   1. San Luis Obispo and Sonoma
7. Americans have always consumed more red wine than white wine.
   1. False
8. Which grape is known as the “headache grape” because it is fragile, temperamental, high maintenance, expensive, and difficult to grow?
   1. Pinot Noir
9. California grows more white grapes than red.
   1. False
10. Most California Cabernet Sauvignons are blended with other grapes. If the said wine is stated on the label, the wine must contain how much percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon?
    1. 75%
11. What are the three most planted red grapes in California?
    1. Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot
12. Which two states comprise the Pacific Northwest (as shown in the video)?
    1. Oregon and Washington
13. For which red grape variety is the Willamette Valley in Oregon best known?
    1. Pinot Noir

Spain

1. The word “Crianza” on a Rioja wine label means that the wine:
   1. is released after two years of aging, at least one year in oak
2. What are the two primary red grapes used in the wine of Rioja, Spain?
   1. Tempranillo and Garnacha
3. What is the major grape used in wines from Rías Baixas (Spain)?
   1. Albariño
4. The term “Reserva” on a bottle of wine from Rioja has no legal meaning.
   1. False
5. What is the Spanish sparkling wine called?
   1. Cava
6. What is the name of the region that produces most Spanish sparkling wine?
   1. Penedès
7. Rioja produces more white wine than red.
   1. False
8. What is a wine from a single Spanish estate called?
   1. Vino de Pago
9. Tempranillo and Tinto Fino are the same grape variety.
   1. True
10. Which French wine region has influenced the winemaking of Rioja?
    1. Bordeaux

Italy

1. What are Italy’s top three wine-producing regions?
   1. Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto
2. At least 80% of grapes in a Chianti wine from Italy must be which variety?
   1. Sangiovese
3. What is the highest quality level of Italian wines?
   1. DOCG
4. How many wine regions are there in Italy?
   1. 20
5. Chianti Classico is the original classic style of Chianti.
   1. False

Rioja Level and Aging

1. Gran Añada – Sparkling (at least 3 years)
2. Gran Reserva – Red (5 years, at least 2 in barrel, at least 2 in bottle) White/Rose (5 years, at least 6 months in barrel)
3. Reserva – Red (3 years, at least 1 in barrel, at least 6 months in bottle) White/Rose (2 years, at least 6 months in barrel)
4. Crianza – 2 years standard – Red (at least 1 year in barrel) White/Rose (at least 6 months in barrel)
5. Generic – No requirements

The Only 2 DOC Regions of Spain

1. Rioja and Priorat (Tarragona)

What is a Super Tuscan Wine?

1. Refers to a style of red wine that originated in Tuscany, Italy, in the early 1970s.

Italian Quality of Wines

1. Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
2. Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
3. Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)
4. Vino da Tavola (VdT)

Most Versatile Wine Grape?

1. Pinot Noir (pairs well with fish, chicken, pork, red meats)