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The approximate number of grape varieties planted in commercially significant amounts worldwide. This number represents just a sliver of the total number of grape varieties – some 5,000 to 10,000.

Long before the French appellation system was established, the monks of Burgundy had already begun to characterize the region’s vineyards and the quality of wines that came from them. Which of the following were the three categories used by the monks to differentiate wines?

A. Wines for farmers, wines for monks, wines for kings

B. Wines for villagers, wines for farmers, wines for monks

C. Wines for monks, wines for cardinals, wines for popes

D. Wines for monks, wines for popes, wines for kings

The wines from the lower part of the slope, which suffered the most rain, were known as cuvées des moines or “wines for the monks.” Wines from the top of the slope had the least rain, but there, the sun did not have ideal solar panel–like focus. These were called cuvées des cardinals or “wines for the cardinals.” And last, wines from the preferred middle belt of the slope, which had perfect sun orientation and the right degree of rain runoff, were called cuvées des papes or “wines for the popes.”

Chewy

Chewy is a term that describes mouth-filling, full-bodied wines that are viscous enough to seem almost chewable. Certain grape varieties, such as zinfandel produced in very warm areas, often take on a chewy character.

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