Various Types and Styles of Wine

Question 1

True or False:

There are five types of wine.

Answer 1

False

There are three types of wine:

• Still Wines
• Sparkling Wines
• Fortified Wines

Question 2

What is the abv for still wines?

Answer 2

The abv for still wines is between 8% - 15%

The majority are between 11.5% - 14% abv
ABV = Alcohol By Volume, and is expressed as a percentage

Question 3

What are many still wines named after?

Answer 3

Many still wines are named after the region in which they were produced. These would often be from the classic wine-producing regions in Europe.

Other wines are named after the grape variety used to make them. These can be from Europe or most wine regions outside of Europe.

Question 4

What is the ‘fizz’ in sparkling wines caused by?

Answer 4

The ‘fizz’ in sparkling wines is caused by carbon dioxide gas which is produced by fermentation, and is purposely trapped in the wine.

Question 5

List three well known examples of sparkling.

Answer 5

• Champagne (France)
• Cava (Spain)
• Prosecco (Italy)

Question 6

What is the abv of fortified wine and why?

Answer 6

Fortified wines have a higher abv of 15%-22% because extra alcohol is added to the wines.

Question 7

List two examples of fortified wines from around the world.

Answer 7

• Sherry (Spain)
• Port (Portugal)

Question 8

What makes up the style of wine?

Answer 8

The color, structural characteristics, aromas and flavors all make up the style of wine.

Question 9

What influences the final color of a wine?

Answer 9

The color of a wine is influenced by the grape variety used, as well as the way the wine is made.

Question 10

True or False:

Rosé wines are made with black grapes

Answer 10

True

Rosé wines are made from black grapes.

The juice is left in contact with the skin for a short period of time before it is drained so that the juice is only lightly colored by the skins.

Question 11

What are notable structural characteristics?

Answer 11

• Sweetness
• Acidity
• Tannins
• Alcohol
• Body

Question 12

What causes sweetness?

Answer 12

Sweetness is caused by the presence of sugar in the wine.

Question 13

How is a dry wine made?

Answer 13

To make a dry wine, the yeast must convert all of the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.

Question 14

What are the two key ways to make a wine with a medium level of sweetness?

Answer 14

• Remove the yeast before all the sugar is converted into alcohol
• Add unfermented grape juice to a dry wine

Question 15

True or False:

The majority of wines are sweet.

Answer 15

False

The majority of wines are dry.

Question 16

True or False:

Most wines that have a medium level of sweetness are either white or rosé.

Answer 16

True

There are few truly sweet red wines, except for some dessert style wines.

Question 17

What are the two key ways of making a sweet wine?

Answer 17

• Use grapes so high in sugar that the yeast stops fermenting before they eat all the sugar. (Examples may include Sauternes from France, as well as some Riesling styles from Germany)
• In the case of fortified wines, the yeast are killed by the addition of high-strength distilled alcohol before they can eat all the sugar. (Examples of sweet-fortified wines can include Port and some styles of Sherry)

Question 18

Where does acidity in wine come from?

Answer 18

Acidity comes directly from the grape juice.

Acidity gives wine a refreshing characteristic.

Question 19

How can you recognize acidity in wine?

Answer 19

Acidity makes your mouth water, and it helps balance out sweetness.

Question 20

True or False:

Tannin is a characteristic only of white wine.

Answer 20

False

Tannin is a characteristic of red wine and comes from the skin of the grapes.

Question 21

What determines the level of tannin in wine?

Answer 21

Grape variety and how the wine is made

Question 22

How can you pick out tannins in wine?

Answer 22

Tannins cause your mouth to feel dry, puckery and astringent.

Question 23

What do full-bodied wines feel like in comparison to light-bodied wines?

Answer 23

Full-bodied wines feel viscous & mouth-filling.

Light-bodied wines feel more delicate.

Question 24

Where can some aromas and flavors of wines come from?

Answer 24

Aromas and flavors of wines come from a variety of sources. Some come from the grapes while others develop during winemaking and maturation.

Question 25

True or False:

Two of the most common aromas and flavors of wines are fruits and oak.

Answer 25

True

Most wines will have some sort of aroma and flavor of fruit depending on the grape variety and ripeness of the grape.
When wine is fermented or matured in oak barrels, the barrels can contribute to the aromas and flavors of the wine.