Answers to Wine Quiz #4 (October 12, 2004)

1. Which of the following was not designated as a First Growth wine in the 1855 Classification of Médoc and Graves château wines?
   1. Lafite
   2. Latour
   3. Margaux
   4. Mouton-Rothschild
      Mouton-Rothschild was elevated to a First Growth in the 1973 vintage.
   5. Haut Brion
2. What is chaptalisation?
   Chaptalisation is the addition of sugar to fermenting grape juice to boost the alcohol in weak vintages. The practice was authorised in France by a Minister of Agriculture named Jean-Antoine Chaptal during Louis Napoleon's reign.
3. What is the length of the longest cork used to close a wine bottle?
   1. 45 mm
   2. 50 mm
   3. 55 mm
   4. 60 mm
      The longest cork is 60 mm, found in Angelo Gaja's single vineyard Barbarescos.
4. How many bottles are contained in a Balthazar of champagne?
   A Balthazar of champagne contains 16 bottles.
5. What are the five preferred grapes used in the production of vintage port?
   Vintage port is usually made from Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cao.
6. What does the term "Hock" mean?
   Hock is a generic term for Rhine wines – a contraction of the English term Hockamore, which was a mispronunciation of Hochheim, the town at the eastern end of the Rheingau region.
7. How would you use a "thief" in the wine cellar?
   A "thief" is a glass pipette used to draw off samples from a barrel. The column fills with wine when immersed; a thump placed on the top end will hold the wine in column until released.
8. Name the town across the Douro River from Oporto where the port lodges can be found.
   Port lodges can be found in Vila Nova de Gaia.
9. Apart from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, what other grapes are used in red Bordeaux?
   Malbec and Petit Verdot are also used in red Bordeaux.
10. Who was voted Ontario's Winemaker of the Year at the 2004 Ontario Wine Awards?
    Ann Sperling was voted Ontario's Winemaker of the Year at the 2004 Ontario Wine Awards.