Time for Wine Trivia Wednesday, and since this is two weeks in a row, I think I will call this a ‘weekly’ feature here at the drunken cyclist. The last two days, I have been ‘hunkering down’ at home. I thought I would be able to use the time to write a bunch of posts, but, alas I had the two boys with me. Thus instead of writing, I became quite adept at cheating while playing every child’s board game out there. Before you get all indignant, I was cheating so that I would lose. And before you break out that ballot for father of the year, realize that I was trying to lose in hopes of shortening the game—Candyland, Chutes and Ladders and Sorry—those games simply never end!!
Wine trivia does end, however, usually resulting in an increased desire to have a glass of wine (so I guess in a way, very similar to the games mentioned above). First, a return to last week’s quiz, essentially ‘nailed’ by Vinoinlove (although he never mentioned Aligoté so he did not get full credit).
Last week’s questions:
- What is a traditional Kir? A traditional Kir is made with Crème de Cassis and a somewhat rare wine from Burgundy: Aligoté–a highly acidic wine that is less harsh with the addition of the black currant liqueur.
- Where did Kirs originate? Kirs originated in the 19th Century in Burgundy.
- Where does the name come from? The name came from the mayor of Dijon (Félix Kir) who reintroduced the drink after WWII. Even though he did not ‘invent’ the drink, his affinity for and promotion of the cocktail caused his name to become attached to it.
- What is a Kir Royale and/or a Kir Impériale? A Kir Royale is made with sparkling wine and Crème de Cassis. A Kir Impériale is made with Champagne and raspberry liqueur (traditionally this is Chambord, from the Loire Valley).
Just one more note: never use Champagne to make either Kirs or Mimosa. In the name of everything wholly, use just a much cheaper sparking wine.
This week’s question is short and straightforward:
Why do you often see rose bushes planted at the head of a row of vines?
Good luck answer next week (if I remember the ‘weekly’ feature).
So I gave it few hours before providing an answer : ) Rose bushes in the vineyard are used as an “early warning system” – they are very susceptible to the mildew, which is dangerous for the vines, so the rose bushes will be the first to show the upcoming danger to the vines.
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Thanks as always for playing Anatoli!
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They are to force the draft horses to make a wide turn around the ends of the rows of vines. You don’t want the plow to cut across the last vine in the row.
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Great to hear from you FWC! Back from your travels yet?
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Back from the Pacific Northwest, but I leave for San Francisco tomorrow for work (meeting on Friday). I have a hall pass from my loving spouse to stay the weekend in Sonoma! I’ll visit a few favorites and a couple new folks.
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Nice! So jealous–where you going?
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Favorites: Wind Gap, Unti. New favorite: Ryme New: Two Shepherds
Any other ideas? Food friendly, lower alcohol, less new oak.
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I have NO idea, but I look forward to hearing the explanation 😉
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Roses and wine grows the same way. Therefore it’s an early warning system to plant roses in front of vines. Diseases that affect roses will also affect vine.
Sorry for the late answer but I was unable to comment the last time I tried (if you remember from my email).
Looking forward to the official answer
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Better late than never!
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