Wine Law

Question 1

How many months does a NV Champagne have to be in bottle before release?

Answer 1

15 months

Question 2

PDO relates to EU geographical indications, what does it stand for?

Answer 2

Protected Designation of Origin

Question 3

In what year were the first French wines officially entitled to use the designation ‘Appellation d’Origine Contrôllée’ (AOC) on their label?

Answer 3

1936

Question 4

If a French wine lacks an official geographical indication, what might you find it labelled as?

Answer 4

Vin de France

Question 5

If a wine made in the EU states a vintage on the label it must contain a minimum of what percentage of grapes harvested in that year?

Answer 5

85% of the grapes used must have been harvested in that year

Question 6

What aging laws apply to red Rioja Reserva wines?

Answer 6

They must be aged for a minimum of 36 months, including at least 12 months in 225-liter oak barrels

Question 7

Which country’s fortified wines used to bear Sherry terms such as ‘Fino’, but are no longer permitted to do so?

Answer 7

Australia

Question 8

In most countries it is now obligatory to state on the label that a wine contains sulfites if it contains more than how many milligrams per liter of Sulphur Dioxide?

Answer 8

10mg/l of Sulphur Dioxide

Question 9

In the EU, you’ll find both Protected Designation of Origin (AOC wines) and Protected Geographical Indication (IGP wines) - one is generally for small areas with tight regulations which specifies which grapes can be used whereas the other is less defined and allows for more experimentation - which one is which?

Answer 9

PDOs are generally small areas, with tight regulations including what grapes can be used; whereas PGIs are less defined and allow more experimentation

Question 10

Which region of north west Italy would you find Oltrepo Pavese DOC, Valtellina DOC and Terre di Franciacorta DOC?

Answer 10

Lombardy

Question 11

In which US state would you find the wine regions Willamette Valley, Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley?

Answer 11

Oregon

Question 12

The term ‘AVA’ applies to the provenance of US wines, what does it stand for?

Answer 12

American Viticultural Area

Question 13

How long, by law, do red Rioja Gran Reserva wines need to be aged?

Answer 13

They must have been aged for 5 years or more, including at least 24 months in oak casks

Question 14

Which quality classification is associated with some of Germany’s finest dry wines?

Answer 14

Grosses Gewächs

Question 15

In Burgundy, which vineyard classification is considered higher in quality - Premier Cru or Grand Cru?

Answer 15

Grand Cru

Question 16

What are the subdivisions of the Saint-Êmilion Grand Cru Classé system?

Answer 16

Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, Grand Cru Classés

Question 17

DOP applies to the appellations of Portugal, what does it stand for?

Answer 17

Denominação de Origem Protegida

Question 18

How many of Australia’s six states produce wine?

Answer 18

All of them; Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia

Question 19

In which country are grapes dried on straw over winter to concentrate flavors, know as Strohwein or Shilfwine?

Answer 19

Austria