Wine Wednesday Quick Quiz Answers

Here are the correct answers for the Quick Quiz:

QUESTION 1 ANSWER

In the west of France, you will find the Loire Valley. Which grape varietals is it best known for?

• Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc
• Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Syrah
• Grenache, Carignan and Gamay
• Cinsault, Mourvedre and Riesling

More than half of the Loire Valley wines are white, mostly from Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc grapes. Red wines are produced from the Cabernet Franc grape.

QUESTION 2 ANSWER

In the south of France, you will find the Rhone Valley. Which grape varietals is it best known for?

• Syrah, Grenache and Viognier
• Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
• Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc
• Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenère

The red wines from the Rhône Valley are focused on Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes and commonly a blend of the three which is often referred to as GSM. The white wines may include Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc.

QUESTION 3 ANSWER

In the south west of France, you will find the Bordeaux. The Gironde Estuary divides the Bordeaux region into the Right Bank and the Left Bank. Which grape varietals dominate the right and left banks?

• Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
• Cinsault and Roussanne
• Gamay and Sauvignon Blanc

The Gironde Estuary divides the Bordeaux region into the Right Bank and the Left Bank. The Bordeaux region produces nearly 90% red wines that are usually blends. The Right Bank is dominated by Merlot while the Left Bank is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Additionally, their red wine blends may include Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenère. In January of 2021, the governing body in Bordeaux allowed four new red varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Marselan, Castets, and Arinarnoa. But, these grapes may only account for five percent of the planted vineyard area, and a maximum of ten percent of a wine blend.

QUESTION 4 ANSWER

In the north east of France, you will find the Alsace. Which grape varietals is it best known for?

• Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer
• Marselan, Castets, and Arinarnoa
• Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier
• Cabernet Franc, Cinsault and Grenache

Wines of this region include Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. Contrary to most of France, wine labels on Alsace wines list the grapes used.

QUESTION 5 ANSWER

In the south of France, you will find the Provence. Which grape varietals is it best known for?

• Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Mourvèdre
• Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec
• Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Clairette
• Carmenère, Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay

This region produces crisp, dry rosés and red blends. The grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Vernentino (a.k.a. Rolle).