1

FNH 330 Wine Science I – SOME EXAMPLE FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS JUNE 2015
Other questions may also be used. No abbreviations for technical/appellation/regulatory/varietal
terms allowed.
Why is it that the chateaux on the left bank of Bordeaux are able to ripen red grapes more effectively than
the right bank?
When is Chaptalization allowed in the processing of German wines (what categories of wine are allowed to
chaptalize)?

How much chapatalization is allowd for BC VQA wines?

Refer to the German Label below. How do we know this wine is “off-dry” ?

What steps are used by winemakers to make this wine off-dry?

Assuming that the above does not refer to the addition of suss-reserve – what is suss-reserve and why is it
used?

Within BC & according to the BC Wine Authority regulations, what are the two quality wine categories
within the “Wines of Marked Quality Program?”

German wine-growers/producers must pass 3 tests in order to produce & market wine designated as
Qualitatswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete & Qualitatswein mit Pradikat.(Pradikatswein). Describe each
of the 3 and what is involved (& rationale) for each.

____________________________________________________________________________________
2
What are the main aroma characteristics (2-3) based on varietal/blend/style for each of the
following wines.

letter Column I Column II

here

1. Tawny Port A.

2. Pinot Noir B.

3. Cava C.

4. Zinfandel D.

5. Shiraz E.

6. Riesling (German QbA/QmP) F.

7. Sauternes G.

8. Cabernet Sauvignon H.

9. Riesling Icewine I.

10. Bordeaux blend (red) J.

11. Gewurztraminer K.

12. Sauvignon Blanc L.

There are 2 parallel wine-appellation regulatory systems in the USA. Name each - how do they differ; in
terms of regulation? What impact does each set of regulations have on the standards of wine quality?

9) (2 marks) What were the two most significant early results/consequences of Canada’s agreement to
NAFTA and GATT in terms of the wine industry in Canada?

10) (5 marks): Matching: write the letter representing the one word or phrase from Column II that best
corresponds with the word or phrase in Column I

letter Wine area/region/country Main winegrape variety grown or sub-

here region/appellation
3

Ontario icewine a. Walla Walla

Columbia Valley b. Pfalz

The varietal wine-grape that BC produces c. Santa Barbara County

the most of currently

Haardt Mountains d. Vidal

South-Central Coast, California e. Merlot

Oregon f. Chardonnay

South-Central Coast, California g. Muller-Thurgau

…and more like this h. Willamette Valley

Describe how the regulations/requirements for BC Wines of Distinction are different from BC VQA
wines – provide a specific example for each.

Compare BC VQA “sweet/dessert” wine with equivalent wines found in the German system. Provide
equivalent comparisons/wines from BC VQA and Germany. What is the basis for quality level within
these systems?

In BC, in order to use the BC-VQA symbol on wine bottle labels, wineries have specific
regulations/guidelines relating to growing & production/processing (note: NOT the % vintage content
and NOT % variety content for labeling purposes).
Provide specific BC-VQA regulations (with details of at least 1 example comparing BC &
France for each) that are very similar/equal to those of France’s INAO-AOC regulations.
4
14) (5 marks): Matching: write the letter representing the one word or phrase from Column II that best
corresponds with the word or phrase in Column I

letter Column I Column II

here

1. Compound in red wine that may Large intestine

increase blood high-density
lipoproteins

2. Site where the majority of alcohol is

absorbed into the bloodstream

3. Carcinogenic compound in wine

resulting from urea reacting with
ethanol

4. Deficiency of compound linked to

long term alcohol abuse & related
mental confusion, loss of muscle co-
ordination.

5. Site in the body where CO2 in

bubbly specifically influences
alcohol absorption

And more like this

Describe the pathway for ethanol degradation in the liver (show the names of the chemical intermediates
and names of the final CHEMICAL products):

What is your body weight in kg (estimate) and from this how many g of ethanol can be metabolized per
hour by your body?

A number of factors were considered in the California J-curve study – one/some seemed to indicate a
benefit of moderate consumption of alcohol/wine on overall sample population longevity. What factor(s)
was/were implicated as providing benefit? What level of consumption was generally beneficial? At what
level of consumption did the situation change – explain.
5

What Geographical Indication accounts for the majority of Australia’s wine production?
Which is the coolest wine region in Australia and what winegrape variety(s) are considered to be most
suitable for high quality wine?

Refer to the wine labels below and provide the Formal & geographical classifications for each. Some
may require special conditions for their production – explain. Discuss terroir and how this might affect
the choice of grapes and the style of wines made. Some compare and contrast may be required between
labels/wines.

A B

A B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6