Oxfordshire wine writer SARAH McCLEERY invites you to test your wine knowledge in her special festive quiz.

We are all officially in the lull. Christmas is over, we've survived it for another year and now there's a few days respite before we throw ourselves into 2008.

If you've got time to take a breather why not have some fun with this quick and only moderately taxing wine quiz.

FIVE QUESTIONS ABOUT GRAPES

1. Which of the following is the correct trio of grapes that are permitted in the making of champagne?

a. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Aligoté

b. Chardonnay, Aligoté and Pinot Meunier

c. Aligoté, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier

d. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier

2. Malbec, now the USP of Argentine wine-making, originates from which country?

a. Italy

b. France

c. Spain

d. Chile

3. Nebbiolo is famous for making which great red wine?

a. Barolo

b. Red Burgundy

c. Chianti

d. Claret

4. Spain's Monastrell is better known by what name in France?

a. Moristel

b. Merlot

c. Mourvèdre

d. Molinara

5. The South African grape variety, Pinotage, is a cross of which two grape varieties?

a. Pinot Noir and Grenache

b. Pinot Noir and Cinsault

c. Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon

d. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

FIVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WINE-MAKING

6. A refractometer is a tool used to . . .

a. Identify which grape is which

b. Check the ripeness of the grapes

c. Keep grapes cool prior to pressing

d. Keep the rain at bay during harvest time

7. The colour for red wines comes primarily from . . .

a. The flesh of the grapes

b. The grape skins

c. By adding a colouring agent to the juice

d. Blending with port

8. The term racking' is associated with . . .

a. The historical punishment given to winemakers who delivered an unsatisfactory wine to the owners of the great Bordeaux houses

b. The way wine is stored in the cellar

c. The process by which the grapes are brought from the vineyard into the winery

d. The operation of removing the clear wine from the sediments that have settled in the bottom of the container in which the wine has been made

9. Carbonic maceration is a technique that's adopted by wine-makers who are seeking to deliver soft, light-bodied red wines for drinking in their youth. Although used the world-over, which region is most-famous for making wines in this way?

a. Beaujolais

b. Burgundy

c. Rioja

d. Chianti

10. What is Noble Rot'?

a. A disease that affects only the vineyards of the châteaux of the Loire

b. A benevolent rot that plays a key role in some of the world's most-famous and expensive sweet wines

c. A disease that required the immediate closure of the vineyard

d. An affectionate term for long-standing winemakers in the region of Bordeaux

FIVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PEOPLE AND WINE

11. On being accused of being drunk, which politician famously retorted: "Madame, I may be drunk, but you are ugly, and tomorrow I will be sober."

a. Tony Blair

b. Charles Kennedy

c. George Bush

d. Winston Churchill

12. The famous US winery, Opus One, is owned by Robert Mondavi and which other influential figure?

a. Baroness Philippine de Rothschild

b. Robert Parker

c. Jancis Robinson

d. Alex Ferguson

13. The stately home of Waddesdon Manor was built for which family who are today well-known for their wines?

a. Lurton

b. Torres

c. Mondavi

d. Rothschild

14. Alvaro Espinoza was voted Personality of the Year' at the 2007 International Wine Challenge Awards. This Chilean winemaker is famous for his work in what viticultural sphere?

a. Organics and Biodynamics

b. Sparkling wines

c. Blending

d. Using hitherto unheard of grape varieties

15. Which well-known car enthusiast has recently been travelling round the vineyards of California with wine expert, Oz Clarke?

a. Jeremy Clarkson

b. James May

c. Tiff Nedell

d. Jenson Button

Answers

1 d, 2 b. 3 a, 4 c, 5 b, 6 b, 7 b, 8 d, 9 a, 10 b, 11 d, 12 a, 13 d, 14 a, 15 b.