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Certified Sommelier Exam

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1. Rias Biaxas
A form of slate with strata which allow the vine roots to penetrate and grow (common in Douro for grapes used in Port)
Very Old Rare Sherry - Aged 30 years (average minimum age)
Maritime climate - 90% Albarino planted
Alluvial deposits and "pudding stones"

2. Left Bank Grapes
South of Paso Robles - Maritime influence - cool climate - Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
(Bordeaux)Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (70%); Merlot - minor varietals (30%)
Vouvray - Montlouis - Chinon - Bourgueil & Saint -Nicolas -de -Bourgueil
Saint Amour - Julienas - Chenas - Chiroubles - Moulin a Vent - Fleurie - Morgon - Regnie - Brouilly - Cote de Brouilly

3. Cabernet Sauvignon
Black plum
Napa County - Sonoma County - Mendocino County - Lake County - Marin County - Solano County
Lugana (Trebbiano) - Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) - Franciacorta DOCG - Lugana di San Benedetto DOC - Valtellina Superiore DOCG
Hazelnut

4. Grosslage
Structure
Collection of vineyards
Alluvial & volcanic soils - granite - clay - sand - Cool coastal regions vs. hot inland area - Chardonnay - Riesling - Muscat - Pinot Noir - Shiraz - Bordeaux varietals (sparkling - still - fortified) - Yarra Valley - Rutherglen - Heathco
33 total - Important ones are Minho (Vinho Verde) - Dao - Bairrada - Porto & Douro - Borba - Alentejo - Madeira

5. Galets
The "pudding stones" found in Chateauneuf -de -Pape responsible for terroir
Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon - Pinot Noir - Gamay - Groslot
Palomino (95% of all plantings) - Pedro Ximenez - Moscatel: along with PX - used to sweeten blended wines and to add color
Best wines are made from Riesling - Area around Schlossbockelheim and Bad Kreuznach - Donhoff is a notable producer

6. Primary Tuscan Red Varietals
A vintage tawny with a minimum of seven years cask aging
Sangiovese & clones (Prugnolo Gentile - Brunello - Morellino) - Canaiolo - Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Syrah
Blueberry
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc - Limestone over tufa - Wide range of styles (Sec - demi -sec - moelleux - doux - still - petillant - mousseux)

7. Beaumes -de -Venise
Red wines are predominantly Grenache - Home of a famous Vin Doux Naturel
Generic term for sparkling
Cooler coastal climate with an active sparkling wine industry- Warm interior with old vine Zinfandel - Petite Sirah - Carigange - etc. - Notables include Anderson Valley (Alsatian varietals) - Guenoc - Redwood Valley - Yorkville - Potter Valle
Glassy -winged sharpshooter

8. Left Bank Communes
(Bordeaux)Haut Medoc - Saint -Estephe - Pauillac - Saint -Julien - Listrac & Moulis - Margaux - Graves - Pessac - Leognan - Sauternes
Central Italy - The food center of Italy - Divided by 7 rivers
Chaume Premier Cru - Bonnezeaux - Quarts de Chaume - Coteaux du Layon -Chaume - Coteaux du Layon Villages
Southwest Sicily - Blend of Nero d'Avola (70%) and Frappatto (30%)

9. 2009 or 2008 in Cotes -du -Rhone?
2009 Great 2008 Not so great
West of Rioja on the River Duero - Red wines from Tempranillo (Tinto del Pais) and Bordeaux varietals - Wines are richer and fuller than Rioja wines with good aging potential
Appellation for red and dry whites - No ranking; all designated Cru Classe - Pessac -Leognan AC in northern part
Well -known for quality rose wines - Includes Southern Rhone varietals and more - Bandol - Cassis

10. New Zealand's South Island
Known for Poverty Bay - High yields and large quantities of Muller -Thurgau - Bulk wine and carafe wine
Soils: volcanic - gravel alluvial with sandstone - Cool maritime climate (warmer north - cooler south) - mountain ranges create rain shadow effect
Single Vineyard
Red wines are predominantly Grenache - Home of a famous Vin Doux Naturel

11. Sauternes
Palomino (95% of all plantings) - Pedro Ximenez - Moscatel: along with PX - used to sweeten blended wines and to add color
AKA Palatinate - Warm climate - Trocken wines important (Grosses Gerwachs) - Riesling - Scheurebe - Grauburgunder - Muller -Thurgau - Spatburgunder
Condrieu - and Hermitage Steep slopes with granite soils
Sits in GravesWorld famous botrytis dessert wines - Semillon - Sauvignon Blanc - Muscadelle - Dry wines labeled as Graves Blanc or Bordeaux Blanc Saint - Estephe - Northernmost commune of the Haut - Medoc - Wines are rustic

12. Carricante
Mediterranean climate with Mistral winds - Many vineyards planted on flat valley floor
Clone of Garganega grown in Sicily
Brut Zero (Bone Dry) - Brut (Dry) - Extra Dry (Off -Dry - Sec - Demi -Sec - Doux
Continental with LeMistral winds

13. Chardonnay
Arinto - Codega - Malvasia Fino - Malvasia Corada - Rabigato - Vioshino
Whites from Sauvignon Blanc - Red and rose classified as Vin de Pays
Hazelnut
Rioja Alta - Rioja Alavesa - Rioja Baja

14. Pouilly Fume
Red wines with a minimum of 50% Grenache
Must be made from 100% of stated varietal - Must be aged for a minimum of 20 years in wood and 2 years in bottle before release
Limestone and silex soils - Whites from Sauvignon Blanc
NZ's most important and fastest growing wine region - Alluvial gravel - Protected from Westerly winds by South Alps and Easterlies by Southern tip of North Island - Awatere Valley and Wairau Valley

15. Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
Most southerly wine region in the world - Alluvial soils with outcroppings of chalk and limestone loams - Potential for Rieslings and sparkling wines
Napa County - Sonoma County - Mendocino County - Lake County - Marin County - Solano County
Alsatian dessert wines from botrytis fruit - Made in small quantities and only in exceptional vintages
Renowned botrytis dessert wine from Hungary that has been produced for centuries - Technically a dry still wine sweetened with botrytized grapes (Aszu) - Sweetness levels measured in 3 -6 puttonyos - Eszencia is 100% botrytised grapes

16. Quincy
Whites from Sauvignon Blanc - Red and rose classified as Vin de Pays
Semi -continental (four seasons; climate issues like frost - rain at harvest - hail)
A dry style of Sherry that has characteristics of both Fino/Amontillado and Oloroso - Develops limited flor
Generic term for sparkling

17. Sardinia
Riesling is king - Very steep vineyards with S/SW aspect - Slate soils - Delicacy - purity of fruit - racy acidity - terroir - low alcohol - ageworthy
Trajadura - Alvarinho - Loureiro - Gouveio - Encruzado - Maria Gomez - Fernao Pires - Arinto - Roupeiro
Primary Whites Grown are Vernaccia and Vermentino - Primary Reds Grown are Cannonau - Carignano - and Nuragua
2009 Great 2008 Not so great

18. Pierce's Disease
Yeast remnant popped out
Glassy -winged sharpshooter
Juicyfruit Gum
Well -known for quality rose wines - Includes Southern Rhone varietals and more - Bandol - Cassis

19. Washington State
Young industry - Semi -continental desert climate requiring irrigation - Cascade Mountains rain shadow effect; long - dry growing season - Drastic diurnal shifts
Alsatian blended carafe wine (2 or more grapes)
Sour red cherry
Central Italy - The food center of Italy - Divided by 7 rivers

20. Regions of Southern Portugal
Vineyards established in 1829 - Gravels and sands over clay - Warm maritime climate - ocean breezes - Chardonnay - Riesling Bordeaux grapes - Shiraz - Margaret River (AUS first appellation system in 1978 - known for elegance and finesse) - Great
A single Solera sherry bottled unblended and produced in small quantities
Red wines with maximum with maximum 80% Grenache
Lisboa (formerly Estramadura - Atlantic influenced climate) - Tejo (formerly Alentejo - Periquita grape - white wines from chalky soils) - Colares (Ramisco grape - ungrafted vines grown in sand) - Algarve (red and white - 4 DO districts

21. DO Pagos Estates
Bas Rhin (North) - Haut Rhin (South)
Cinsault - Grenache - Syrah - Mourvedre - Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc
Dominio de Valdepusa - Finca Elez - Pago Guijoso - Dehesa del Carrizal (Toledo) - Senorio de Arinzano (Navarra) - Bodegas Otazu (Navarra)
Gradual breakdown of yeasts

22. Cote Rotie
Tafelwein: table wine - Landwein: regional wine - Qualitatswein bestimmter Anbaugbiete (QbA): quality wine from one of the 13 major regions - Qualitatswein mit Pradikat (QmP): quality wine determined by the degree of ripeness at harvest; only classif
Collection of vineyards
Albariza - Barros - Arenas
Red wines from Syrah with up to 20% Viognier allowed

23. Cabernet Franc (Loire)
Alsatian blended carafe wine (2 or more grapes)
Saumur AOC - Minimum 80% Chenin Blanc with Chardonnay and others
Tartared raspberry
Fruits sourced from BEST quintas - Usually produced in non -declared vintages - Ageworthy - excellent values

24. Disgorging/Degorgement
Lychee
Bas Rhin (North) - Haut Rhin (South)
After harvest - grapes are dried for several weeks - Used to produce passito - recioto - and Amarone wines
Yeast remnant popped out

25. Primary Tuscan White Varietals
Yeast remnant popped out
Lentils
Wine pumped into tanks with liqueur de tirage - Fermentation complete in 4 -5 days - Best for certain varietals (e.g. Moscato d'Asti - Prosecco - Sekt)
Vernaccia - Trebbiano - Malvasia

26. Vouvray
NZ's 2nd fastest growing region (to Marlborough) - Stony - well -drained soils - Quality SB - Chardonnay - Riesling - and PN
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc - Limestone over tufa - Wide range of styles (Sec - demi -sec - moelleux - doux - still - petillant - mousseux)
Lafite -Rothschild - Latour - Mouton -Rothschild - Margaux - Haut -Brion
Driest region in NZ - 2nd in size to Marlborough - Sandy alluvial soils over gravel - limestone - Sunny climate - warmest in NZ - Known for Chardonnay - CS - and Syrah

27. North Central Spain: Primary White Varietals
Mediterranean climate with Mistral winds - Many vineyards planted on flat valley floor
Well -known for quality rose wines - Includes Southern Rhone varietals and more - Bandol - Cassis
Adriatic Sea coast - Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOCG - Conero DOCG - Rosso Conero
Viura - Malvasia - Garnacha Blanca - Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc - Verdejo

28. Estufagem
100% of grapes from named appellation - Vintage must be 85% of stated year - Varietal must be 85% of stated
Dehydrated strawberries
The heating process causes maderization of the wine - caramelizing sugars and promoting oxidation - Estufa do Sol - finest wines are cask aged in lodges exposed to the sun for many years - Estufa - a vat or tank heated by hot water to approximatel
The "pudding stones" found in Chateauneuf -de -Pape responsible for terroir

29. Soil in Cote d'Or
Volcanic slate soils - Predominantly reds from Spatburgunder and Portugieser
Limestone (best whites) and Marl (best reds)
Grass
Trajadura - Alvarinho - Loureiro - Gouveio - Encruzado - Maria Gomez - Fernao Pires - Arinto - Roupeiro

30. Rias Biaxas Sub -Zones
Bottles are disgorged under pressure into large tank - filtered - and rebottled - Used for bottles smaller than half/larger than Jeroboam
As little as 90 from harvest to final bottling - Potential for lees contact - Eliminates need for riddling - More suitable for some grapes
Trebbiano called "Procanico" - Grechetto - Drupeggio - Sangiovese - and Sagrantino grown - Best know white is Orvieto - Torgiano DOC - Torgiano Riserva DOCG - Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
Val do Salnes - O Rosal - Condado do Tea - Soutomaiort - Ribeira do Ulla

31. Zinfandel
Santa Lucia Highlands - Chalone - San Bernabe
Plum skin
Alsatian dessert wines from botrytis fruit - Made in small quantities and only in exceptional vintages
Longest growing season in CA - Series of east -west valleys - Cool - dry coastal climate - Sauvignon Blanc - Chardonnay - Pinot Noir - Syrah - Merlot

32. Australian Wine Producing States
New South Wales - Victoria - Tasmania - South Australia - Western Australia - Northern Territory - Queensland
Terroir
Terraced vineyards on granite slopes - 90% red; 10% white - 12 approved grape varieties - By law - 20% minimum of red wines must be from Touriga Nacional - Predominant white grapes are Arinto and Encruzado
Castilla: La Mancha - Whites from Airen (63%) - Reds from Cencibel (Tempranillo) - Large elevated central plateau - Arid climate with temperature extremes

33. Auckland

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34. Southern Rhone Climate and Vineyards
France's largest wine producing region (750K acres) - Cinsault -Grenache blends dominant - Also dry whites and Vin Doux Naturels - Mediterranean climate
Napa County - Sonoma County - Mendocino County - Lake County - Marin County - Solano County
Clone of Garganega grown in Sicily
Mediterranean climate with Mistral winds - Many vineyards planted on flat valley floor

35. Sherry Classifications
New Zealand
VOS (Very Old Sherry) - VORS (Very Old Rare Sherry) - Anada - Almacenistas
Produced in non -declared vintages - Fruit sourced from top quintas - Aged 4 -6 years in casks - Vintage and bottling years must be declared on label - Some are age -worthy
The heating process causes maderization of the wine - caramelizing sugars and promoting oxidation - Estufa do Sol - finest wines are cask aged in lodges exposed to the sun for many years - Estufa - a vat or tank heated by hot water to approximatel

36. Beaujolais Cru ACs
Santa Lucia Highlands - Chalone - San Bernabe
Brut Zero (Bone Dry) - Brut (Dry) - Extra Dry (Off -Dry - Sec - Demi -Sec - Doux
Saint Amour - Julienas - Chenas - Chiroubles - Moulin a Vent - Fleurie - Morgon - Regnie - Brouilly - Cote de Brouilly
Home of Rome - Cesanese del Piglio Rosso/Reserva DOCG - Frascati (carafe wine blended from Trebbiano & Malvasia) - Est! Est! Est! di Montefiascone

37. Palo Cortado
Lentils
Mediterranean climate with Mistral winds - Many vineyards planted on flat valley floor
A dry style of Sherry that has characteristics of both Fino/Amontillado and Oloroso - Develops limited flor
Bas Rhin (North) - Haut Rhin (South)

38. TTB Estate Bottled Requirements
Steen (Chenin Blanc) - Hanepoot (Muscat) - Chardonnay - SB - Semillon
Soft Verdelho -style wine created in the 18th century
Montagne de Reims (known for PN) - Vallee de la Marne - Cote de Blancs (lots of Chardonnay) - Cote de Sezanne - Aube
Winery and vineyards must be located in the same AVA - Winery must own or control the vineyards where the grapes are grown

39. Priorat DOCa
Rugged mountainous region - Dry temperate climate - Stony schistous soild - Varietals: Garnacha - Carinena - Cabernet
Sparkling wines from Marsanne and Roussanne
Recent prominence due to ancient indigenous varietals - Home of Mount Vesuvius - Primitivo - Aglianico - Falanghina - Fiano - Greco - Fiano d'Avellino DOCG - Greco di Tufo DOCG - Taurasi DOCG
Beaujolais AC - Beaujolais Nouveau AC - Beaujolais -Superieur AC - Beaujolais Villages AC - Beaujolais Cru AC

40. Tasmania

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41. Southern Rhone Varietals (White)
Sparkling wines from Marsanne and Roussanne
Roussanne - Clairette - Picpoul - Bourbolenc - Grenache Blanc - etc.
Collection of vineyards
Harvest in early September - Palomino grapes pressed immediately - Pedro Ximenez grapes sun dried (Soleo) for use in sweetening agents - Fortification with neutral grape spirit

42. Pfalz
AKA Palatinate - Warm climate - Trocken wines important (Grosses Gerwachs) - Riesling - Scheurebe - Grauburgunder - Muller -Thurgau - Spatburgunder
Tempranillo - Graciano - Mazuelo (Carinena)
Riesling - Gewurztraminer - Muscat - Pinot Gris (Tokay d'Alsace) - Sylvaner (Zotzenberg only)
Stewed fruits

43. South Spain
Castilla: La Mancha - Whites from Airen (63%) - Reds from Cencibel (Tempranillo) - Large elevated central plateau - Arid climate with temperature extremes
(Bordeaux)Haut Medoc - Saint -Estephe - Pauillac - Saint -Julien - Listrac & Moulis - Margaux - Graves - Pessac - Leognan - Sauternes
GI originated in 1994 with EU agreement
Assyrtiko - Moschofilero - Malagousia - Roditis - White Muscat - Chardonnay - SB

44. VORS
12 months
Red grape grown in Sardinia similar to Grenache
Howell Mountain - Chiles Valley - Napa Valley - Atlas Peak - Stag's Leap District - Oak Knoll - Wild Horse Valley - Los Carneros - Yountville - Mount Veeder - Oakville - Rutherford - Spring Mountain District - Diamond Mountain District
Very Old Rare Sherry - Aged 30 years (average minimum age)

45. Transfer Method
Saumur Mousseux - Cremant de la Loire - Saumur Champigny
Bottles are disgorged under pressure into large tank - filtered - and rebottled - Used for bottles smaller than half/larger than Jeroboam
100% of grapes from named appellation - Vintage must be 85% of stated year - Varietal must be 85% of stated
Condrieu - and Hermitage Steep slopes with granite soils

46. Champagne Regions (North to South)
hite wines from Viognier
Center of Cava production - Traditional Whites: Parellada - Xarel -lo - Macabeo - Traditional Reds: Garnacha - Monstrell - Ull de Liebre
Montagne de Reims (known for PN) - Vallee de la Marne - Cote de Blancs (lots of Chardonnay) - Cote de Sezanne - Aube
Lychee

47. Etna DOC
Sicily - Full -bodied reds from vineyards on the slopes of Mt. Etna made from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Capuccio - White grape is Carricante (clone of Garganega)
BdM: 4 years with minimum 2 years in oak - BdM Riserva: 5 years with minimum 2.5 years in oak
Arinto - Codega - Malvasia Fino - Malvasia Corada - Rabigato - Vioshino
Saumur Mousseux - Cremant de la Loire - Saumur Champigny

48. Chablis Grand Crus
Palo Cortado: only partially oxidative - develops limited flor - Oloroso: rich style fortified to 18% and usually long -aged; start dry but almost all are sweetened and sold as Cream Sherries
Vaudesir - Valmur - Les Preuses - Grenouilles - Bougros - Les Clos - Blanchot - Highest minimum alcohol of Chablis ACs
Sweet botrytis wines from Chenin Blanc made only in exceptional years
Neutral grape spirit at 77% alcohol added to port wine

49. Victoria
Vineyards established in 1829 - Gravels and sands over clay - Warm maritime climate - ocean breezes - Chardonnay - Riesling Bordeaux grapes - Shiraz - Margaret River (AUS first appellation system in 1978 - known for elegance and finesse) - Great
Alluvial & volcanic soils - granite - clay - sand - Cool coastal regions vs. hot inland area - Chardonnay - Riesling - Muscat - Pinot Noir - Shiraz - Bordeaux varietals (sparkling - still - fortified) - Yarra Valley - Rutherglen - Heathco
Red wines from Syrah with up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne - Whites from Marsanne and Roussanne
Medium sweet & sweet Madeiras served with dessert or cheese course - Fermentation is stopped by addition of spirit

50. Wairarapa
Mediterranean climate with Mistral winds - Many vineyards planted on flat valley floor
Galicia (Rias Biaxas) - Toro - Rueda - Ribera del Duero
GI originated in 1994 with EU agreement
South end of North Island - Includes Marlborough - Quality Pinot Noir (up and coming region)

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