What better way to end your summer solstice and start your autumnal equinox off right, than with a little vino and some good trivia.

Even better, how about wine trivia? This topic tends to lead to endless conversation...so let Style swirl around your brain cells with this month’s test for tasters.

1. Napa Valley is best known for the Chardonnay grape. True or False?
2. “Chaptalization” is the process of adding sugar to make wine higher in alcohol. True or False?
3. A corked wine is a higher quality wine. True or False?
4. When was the corkscrew designed?
5. How many gallons of wine does California produce annually?
6. What are the top three wine consuming states in the U.S.?
7. American wine drinkers consume more wine on which national holiday?
8. Which three countries produce the most wine?
9. Are wine grapes sweet or sour when they’re harvested?
10. What does “the angel’s share” refer to with wine?

SPOILER ALERT!
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Answers:

1. False. Even though Napa Valley produces a large amount of chardonnay, it is home to some of California’s most famous (and expensive) Cabernet Sauvignons.
2. True. Chaptalization is important in places where the grapes may not fully ripen and achieve high enough sugar levels.
3. False. The term “corked” means that the cork has become moldy and has spoiled the wine. Hint: use synthetic or semi synthetic corks to avoid cork taint.
4. Mid-1800’s.
5. Over 17 million gallons.
6. CA, NY, FL.
7. Thanksgiving.
8. Italy, France, Spain
9. They’re much sweeter, even more so than grapes from a grocery store. The sugar provides the alcohol.
10. The wine that is lost to evaporation within a winery. It can be up to 5% lost per year!