staff is as test-averse as mine, assessing their level of knowledge
and getting them to study up can be a real challenge. My solutionopen-book
'questionnaires,' where they can use any open source they wish, except
one another, and have up to two weeks to answer each series of questions.
I produce a questionnaire each month targeted to a specific region
of the world, or a given theme, and ask between fifteen and twenty
questions about things they are likely to be asked, or about topics
I think they should be conversant in, and let them go to work. Gone
is the stress and anxiety of a testing situation, and what's even
better, they end up reading and learning about three times as much
stuff as they need to answer the questions correctly. Most of my staff
have come to me and reported how enjoyable the exercise is!
yourself with Michael Flynns Questionnaire, then click
here for the answers
Flynns Open Book Wine Questionnaire
is an appellation within which French wine region? Which grape varieties
are permitted there?
many Grand Cru vineyards are there in Chablis? Name them.
which French wine regions are wines labelled by grape varietal name?
the Premier Grand Cru Classe of Bordeaux.
Banyuls. Where and how is it made?
Champagne, some wines are labelled LD. To what does this refer?
is the proper translation of the word cuvée?
is the difference between the designations Vendange Tardive,
and Selection de Grains Noble? Where are these phrases
six grape varietals that are cultivated for wine production in the
many varietals are permitted in the blend for Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
the three principal districts of Champagne, and indicate which varietals
each district specializes in.
the Grands Crus of Gevrey-Chambertin.
the meaning of Côte Rôtie, and what kind of
wine is made there?
four appellations in the southern Rhone Valley, and describe the wines
made in each.
the difference between Pouilly Fuissé and Pouilly Fumé?
Name one producer of each
to Michael Flynns Open Book Wine Questionnaire
is the southernmost appellation in the northern Côtes de
Nuits region of Burgundy's Côte d'Or. Permitted grape varieties
Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Liebault, and Chardonnay.
are 7 Grands Crus in Chablis: Les Clos, Les Preuses, Blanchots,
Bougros, Valmur, Vaudesir, and Grenouilles.
- In the
Languedoc, and in Alsace, the majority of wines are labelled
with their varietal names.
- The Premier
Grands Crus Classés of Bordeaux were determined in the
1855 classification with only one subsequent change in 1972, the
elevation of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) from second to First
growth. They are, then - Chateau Lafitte-Rothschild (Pauillac), Chateau
Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac), Chateau Latour (Pauillac), Chateau Margaux
(Margaux), and Chateau Haut-Brion (Pessac-Leognan).
and Banyuls Grand Cru are the appellations for France's
finest, most complex 'vins doux naturels' from terraced vineyards above
the Mediterranean at the southern limit of the Roussillon. Grenache
dominate the blend and constitute a minimum of 50% for Banyuls, and
for Banyuls Grand Cru. The Grand Cru must age in wood for at least 30
months, while the regular may be aged for as long as the producer feels
is beneficial. The wine is made by arresting the fermentation ('mutage')
by adding grape brandy while the juice is still on the skins, producing
rich red wine which is both strong (about 18-20% alc by volume), and
sweet. It's the best match with chocolate I have ever found!
- LD, or
RD in Champagne means Late-Disgorged (or Recemment Degorge),
and refers to the ejection of the frozen pellets of expired yeast which
have been allowed to collect in the neck of the aging Champagne bottles.
LD wine is said to preserve a taste of freshness and vigor as a
counterpoint to the more developed flavors and aromas which come with
- The word
'cuvée' means a variety of things in a variety of
circumstances, but in general refers to a lot or batch of wine. In
Champagne, 'Tete de Cuvée' refers to the house's luxury bottling,
also does in Sauternes. Cuvée in Champagne refers to the first,
quality juice which flows from the wine press. A blend of wines from
various varietals can also be called a cuvée.
Tardive' means 'late-harvest', and refers to wines made
without the addition of sugar from grapes allowed to ripen to
near-raisiny richness, and in Alsace these wines may vary from quite
to medium-sweet. 'Selection de Grains Nobles' is a term in Alsace for
very late-picked grapes affected by 'Noble Rot' which produce the
sweetest and most sumptuous styles of wine in the region.
Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet), Cabernet
Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Arbois, Grolleau, Malbec, Gamay, and
are 13 varietals allowed for Chateauneuf-du-Pape red and white:
Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault, Muscardin, Vaccarese, Picardin,
Picpoul, Bourboulenc, Terret Noir, Counoise, Clairette, and Roussanne.
de la Marne for Pinot Meunier, Montagne de Reims for Pinot Noir, Côtes
des Blancs for Chardonnay.
Chambertin Clos de Beze, Latricieres-Chambertin,
Ruchottes-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, Mazoyeres-Chambertin (lies
within Charmes-Chambertin), Mazis-Chambertin, Chappelle-Chambertin,
Rotie means 'roasted slope.' It's an appellation in the
northern Rhone Valley in which the grape Syrah dominates, and a maximum
of 20% Viognier (an aromatic white variety) is permitted in the blend.
rich, earthy, spicy, full-bodied reds made from
up to 13 permitted varietals. The main grape is Grenache. About one
bottle in 16 is a white wine made from one of several of the same
--Gigondas - for reds and rosés. The reds are similar to those
Chateauneuf, though the Grenache must be no more than 80% of the blend,
with Syrah and Mourvedre making up another 15%. In the rosés,
and Mourvedre are mandatory.
--Lirac - full-bodied reds and rosés are produced, along with
small quantities of rich, aromatic whites. No more than 40% Grenache
may be used in the reds, while the whites must contain at least a third
--Tavel - best known as a rosé appellation, Grenache is the dominant
varietal here, but may not exceed 60% of the blend. Cinsault is also
used. The wines of Tavel are always bone-dry, and should be drunk young
is an appellation in the Maconnais district of southern Burgundy and
is made of 100% Chardonnay. Larochette-Manciat is
one producer. Pouilly-Fumé is an appellation in the Loire Valley
and is 100%
Sauvignon Blanc. Didier Dagueneau is one producer.
How well did you do?