Certified Sommelier Exam

Instructions:

• Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
• If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
• Match each statement with the correct term.
• Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. Alsace

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2. Anada
Red wines with maximum with maximum 80% Grenache
Vintage dated sherries
eanut shell
Major Growing Region


3. New York State AVAs
Limestone (best whites) and Marl (best reds)
Finesse
The Hamptons - North Fork Long Island - Long Island - Hudson Valley - Seneca Lake - Cayuga Lake - Finger Lakes
Great oyster wines made from Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne - Maritime climate - Muscadet de Sevre et Maine AOC - Muscadet Sur Lie (must be used in conjunction with one of the appellations - Sur lie bottling: wines matured on lees for 6 -9 months follo


4. Viognier
Fruit loops
Vouvray - Montlouis - Chinon - Bourgueil & Saint -Nicolas -de -Bourgueil
Tempranillo - Graciano - Mazuelo (Carinena)
Produced by adding distillate to a fermenting must (deliberately stuck fermentation) - Fortified wines typically 15 -16% - Muscat de Beaumes de Venise - Banyuls - etc.


5. Vin Doux Naturel
Brut Zero (Bone Dry) - Brut (Dry) - Extra Dry (Off -Dry - Sec - Demi -Sec - Doux
Produced by adding distillate to a fermenting must (deliberately stuck fermentation) - Fortified wines typically 15 -16% - Muscat de Beaumes de Venise - Banyuls - etc.
GI originated in 1994 with EU agreement
Neutral grape spirit at 77% alcohol added to port wine


6. Napa County AVAs

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7. Pauillac
Wines traditionally bottled in bocksbeutel - Wines from Silvaner - Riesling - and Muller -Thurgau
Lentils
Considered the epitome of "claret" - Wines balance power and finesse - 3 First Growths: Latour - Lafite Rothschild - Mouton Rothschild Saint - Julien - Smallest commune - but 11 classified growths - Styles combine elegance and sturdiness -
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


8. Saumur Mousseux
Great oyster wines made from Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne - Maritime climate - Muscadet de Sevre et Maine AOC - Muscadet Sur Lie (must be used in conjunction with one of the appellations - Sur lie bottling: wines matured on lees for 6 -9 months follo
Saint Amour - Julienas - Chenas - Chiroubles - Moulin a Vent - Fleurie - Morgon - Regnie - Brouilly - Cote de Brouilly
Sparkling wines made from Chenin Blanc with up to 20% Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc - Best wines made by Methode Traditionelle
White wines from Viognier from small single estate


9. GI Quality Categories
19th century style now illegal to produce - but still available on the market
Base Rhone appellation - 95% in the Southern Rhone
roduce of Australia: most general; no vontage - variety allowed on label - South -Eastern Australia Super Zone - State of Origin - Zones (e.g. Barossa is a zone in S. Australia) - Regions (e.g. Barossa is divided into Barossa Valley and Eden Valley)
Arinto - Codega - Malvasia Fino - Malvasia Corada - Rabigato - Vioshino


10. Primary Spanish Red Varietals
Tempranillo (Tinto Fino - etc.) - Carinena - Garnacha - Cabernet Sauvignon - Mencia - Monastrell
Fruits sourced from BEST quintas - Usually produced in non -declared vintages - Ageworthy - excellent values
Touriga Nacional - Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo) - Aragonez (Tempranillo) - Baga - Ramisco - Trincadeira - Castelao Frances - Joao de Santarem - Periquita
Adriatic Sea coast - Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOCG - Conero DOCG - Rosso Conero


11. Santa Barbera County
Longest growing season in CA - Series of east -west valleys - Cool - dry coastal climate - Sauvignon Blanc - Chardonnay - Pinot Noir - Syrah - Merlot
Whites: Viognier - Roussanne - Marsanne Reds: Syrah
Castilla: La Mancha - Whites from Airen (63%) - Reds from Cencibel (Tempranillo) - Large elevated central plateau - Arid climate with temperature extremes
Chehalem Mountains - Ribbon Ridge - Yamhill -Carlton - Dundee Hills - McMinnville - Eola -Amity Hills


12. Sangiovese (Tuscany)
Kabinett - Spatlese - Auslese - Beerenauslese (BA) - Eiswein - Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)
Sour red cherry
Coastal (Stellenbosch - Paarl - Constantia - etc.) - Breede River Valley - Olifants River - Klein Karoo (Sweet Muscadelle and light whites) - Boberg (for fortified wines only)
Regions: Penedes and Priorat DOCa - Mediterranean - Home of Catalunya and Barcelona


13. Touraine AOCs
Cote Rotie - Condrieu - Chateau -Grillet - St. Joseph - Crozes -Hermitage - Hermitage - Cornas - Saint -Peray
Glassy -winged sharpshooter
Bas Rhin (North) - Haut Rhin (South)
Vouvray - Montlouis - Chinon - Bourgueil & Saint -Nicolas -de -Bourgueil


14. Chianti Classico
District of villages & vineyards
Plum
Sangiovese and Canaiolo with Trebbiano and Malvasia - Addition of white grapes no longer mandatory - Up to 20% CS - Merlot - and Syrah permitted
Center of Cava production - Traditional Whites: Parellada - Xarel -lo - Macabeo - Traditional Reds: Garnacha - Monstrell - Ull de Liebre


15. Tempranillo (Rioja Riserva/Gran Riserva)
Very Old Sherry - Aged 20 years (average minimum age)
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
Smoked meats/Bacon fat
Stewed fruits


16. Cannonau
White wines from Viognier from small single estate
Red grape grown in Sardinia similar to Grenache
Viura - Malvasia - Garnacha Blanca - Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc - Verdejo
Fino: lightest; fortified to 15.5% - Manzanilla: a delicate style of Fino aged only in the coastal town of Sanlucar de Barrameda - Amontillado: a Fino that has been left in cask for additional aging and develops a rich - nutty flaor; usually dry -


17. Autolysis
Rose from Grenache and Cinsault
Gradual breakdown of yeasts
Lugana (Trebbiano) - Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) - Franciacorta DOCG - Lugana di San Benedetto DOC - Valtellina Superiore DOCG
Albariza - Barros - Arenas


18. Tavel
75% minimum varietal composition (except OR) - 95% from year stated on bottle (85% if appellation is state or county) - 85% from stated AVA (except super AVA) - Every wine must be labeled with a brand name with the bottler's name and location
Black plum
Rose from Grenache and Cinsault
Auckland - Hawkes Bay - Gisborne - Wairarapa


19. Pinot Meunier's Role in Champagne
Condrieu - and Hermitage Steep slopes with granite soils
Fruit character
Sparkling wines from Marsanne and Roussanne
A dry style of Sherry that has characteristics of both Fino/Amontillado and Oloroso - Develops limited flor


20. Niederosterreich
Base Rhone appellation - 95% in the Southern Rhone
Sparkling wines made from Chenin Blanc with up to 20% Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc - Best wines made by Methode Traditionelle
Collection of vineyards
Wachau: steep vineyards facing the Danube - Wagram - Kremstal - Kamptal


21. Auckland

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22. Wairarapa
Sangiovese and Canaiolo with Trebbiano and Malvasia - Addition of white grapes no longer mandatory - Up to 20% CS - Merlot - and Syrah permitted
Used in dosage phase to fill the space left after the yeast remnant pops out
South end of North Island - Includes Marlborough - Quality Pinot Noir (up and coming region)
Southwest Sicily - Blend of Nero d'Avola (70%) and Frappatto (30%)


23. Portugal White Varietals
19th century style now illegal to produce - but still available on the market
Lesser appellations - Cabernet Sauvignon -based wines - No classified growths
Blueberry
Trajadura - Alvarinho - Loureiro - Gouveio - Encruzado - Maria Gomez - Fernao Pires - Arinto - Roupeiro


24. Einzellage
Val do Salnes - O Rosal - Condado do Tea - Soutomaiort - Ribeira do Ulla
Single Vineyard
Condrieu - and Hermitage Steep slopes with granite soils
A dry style of Sherry that has characteristics of both Fino/Amontillado and Oloroso - Develops limited flor


25. Madeira Grapes (Driest to Sweetest)
Sercial - Verdelho - Bual - Malmsey
Touriga Nacional - Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo) - Aragonez (Tempranillo) - Baga - Ramisco - Trincadeira - Castelao Frances - Joao de Santarem - Periquita
Smoked meats/Bacon fat
100% of grapes from named appellation - Vintage must be 85% of stated year - Varietal must be 85% of stated


26. Cotes de Nuits Appellations
Marsannay - Fixin - Gevrey -Chambertin (8 Grand Crus) - Morey St. Denis (5 Grand Crus) - Chambolle -Musigny (2 Grand Crus) - Vougeot (1 Grand Cru) - Flagey Echezeaux (2 Grand Crus) - Vosnee -Romanee (6 Grand Crus) - Nuits St. Georges (Premier Cru onl
Harvest in early September - Palomino grapes pressed immediately - Pedro Ximenez grapes sun dried (Soleo) for use in sweetening agents - Fortification with neutral grape spirit
Most important DO in Southern Spain
Established in the late 1870's - Alluvial soild - red clay - sand - and clay - Hot & humid with cyclonic rains possible - Semillon - Chardonnay - Riesling - Shiraz - Hunter Valley (predominantly white - established by Penfolds in the 1960's)


27. TTB Label Laws I

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28. Regions of Southern Portugal
Alto Adige - Northernmost region in Italy with steep alpine valleys - Home of Tocai (now known as Friulano) - Lagrein - and Schiava - Key Regions: Valle d'Isarco - Santa Maddalena - Trentino - and Trento
Plum skin
Pays Nantais - Anjou -Saumur - Layon - Touraine - Central Vineyards
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


29. Northern Rhone Appellations
BdM: 4 years with minimum 2 years in oak - BdM Riserva: 5 years with minimum 2.5 years in oak
Well -known for quality rose wines - Includes Southern Rhone varietals and more - Bandol - Cassis
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
Cote Rotie - Condrieu - Chateau -Grillet - St. Joseph - Crozes -Hermitage - Hermitage - Cornas - Saint -Peray


30. Saint -Joseph
Trebbiano called "Procanico" - Grechetto - Drupeggio - Sangiovese - and Sagrantino grown - Best know white is Orvieto - Torgiano DOC - Torgiano Riserva DOCG - Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
100% of grapes from named appellation - Vintage must be 85% of stated year - Varietal must be 85% of stated
Aged in glass - may be ready to drink on release OR aged further in bottle - Sees less oxygen than Tawny - so it doesn't lose its color - Vintage Port - LBV Port (4 -6 years) - Single Quinta Port - Reserve Port
Red wines from minimum 90% Syrah and up to 10% Marsanne and/or Roussanne - Whites from Marsanne and Roussanne


31. Sardinia
American Viticultural Area - Refers only to geographic region - Guidelines finalized in 1978 - became mandatory in 1983
Primary Whites Grown are Vernaccia and Vermentino - Primary Reds Grown are Cannonau - Carignano - and Nuragua
Produced by adding distillate to a fermenting must (deliberately stuck fermentation) - Fortified wines typically 15 -16% - Muscat de Beaumes de Venise - Banyuls - etc.
Harvest in early September - Palomino grapes pressed immediately - Pedro Ximenez grapes sun dried (Soleo) for use in sweetening agents - Fortification with neutral grape spirit


32. Right Bank Grapes (Bordeaux)
(Bordeaux)Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (70%); Merlot - minor varietals (30%)
70% Merlot - 25% Cabernet Franc - 5% minor varietals
Southern OR - Rogue Valley - Applegate Valley - Umqua - Douglas Red Hills - Snake River - Columbia River - Walla Walla Valley - Columbia Gorge - Willamette Valley
Riesling - Gewurztraminer - Muscat - Pinot Gris (Tokay d'Alsace) - Sylvaner (Zotzenberg only)


33. Rheinhessen

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34. Pouilly Fume
Palomino (95% of all plantings) - Pedro Ximenez - Moscatel: along with PX - used to sweeten blended wines and to add color
Limestone and silex soils - Whites from Sauvignon Blanc
Beaujolais AC - Beaujolais Nouveau AC - Beaujolais -Superieur AC - Beaujolais Villages AC - Beaujolais Cru AC
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


35. Sonoma County
ed wines from Syrah with up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne - Whites from Marsanne and Roussanne
Larger area than Napa Valley with a great range of micro -climates - Maritime influence an important factor - Notables include Dry Creek - Rockpile - Alexander Valley - Los Carneros - Russian River
eanut shell
Viura - Malvasia - Garnacha Blanca - Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc - Verdejo


36. Regions of Alsace
Longest tenure of winemaking in the New World
Aged 12 months in bottle or barrel
Limestone -based soils - Whites from Sauvignon Blanc - Reds and roses from Pinot Noir and Gamay (25% total productions)
Bas Rhin (North) - Haut Rhin (South)


37. SA's Primary Red Cultivars
Vinho de Mesa: table wines - Vinho Regional (VR); similar to VdP - IPR: similar to VDQS or IGT - Denominacao de Origem Controlada (DOC) - Garrafeira: reserve wines
Limestone (best whites) and Marl (best reds)
Pinot Noir
Pinotage - CS - CF - Merlot - Syrah - Grenache - PN


38. Quincy
Regions: Penedes and Priorat DOCa - Mediterranean - Home of Catalunya and Barcelona
Whites from Sauvignon Blanc - Red and rose classified as Vin de Pays
Lugana (Trebbiano) - Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) - Franciacorta DOCG - Lugana di San Benedetto DOC - Valtellina Superiore DOCG
Red wines with a minimum of 50% Grenache


39. DO Pagos Estates
Chateauneuf -de -Pape - Gigondas - Vacqueyras - Cotes -du -Rhone - Cotes -du -Rhone Villages - Tavel - Lirac - Beaumes -de -Venise - Vinsobres
Dominio de Valdepusa - Finca Elez - Pago Guijoso - Dehesa del Carrizal (Toledo) - Senorio de Arinzano (Navarra) - Bodegas Otazu (Navarra)
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
Best wines are made from Riesling - Area around Schlossbockelheim and Bad Kreuznach - Donhoff is a notable producer


40. Sherry Vinification
Harvest in early September - Palomino grapes pressed immediately - Pedro Ximenez grapes sun dried (Soleo) for use in sweetening agents - Fortification with neutral grape spirit
True tawnies matured entirely in cask - After 6 years in cask - wines take on a smooth - creamy character - fruitcake spices - Age declarations: 10yr - 20yr - 30yr - 40yr (based on how old it "feels")
Soils: volcanic - gravel alluvial with sandstone - Cool maritime climate (warmer north - cooler south) - mountain ranges create rain shadow effect
Stewed fruits


41. Red Port Varietals
Adjacent to Sancerre - White - red - and rose from SB - PN - and Gamay
Soils: Mostly alluvial mountain runoff with sandstone - some limestone - schist - clay - and chalk - Climate: Cool (South) to warm (North) maritime - windy from West (must plant East of mountain ranges) - high rainfall and humidity
Touriga Nacional - Touriga Francesa - Tinta Cao - Tinta Roriz - Tinta Baroca - Mourisco Tinto - Sousao
Juicyfruit Gum


42. Paso Robles

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43. Cremant de la Loire
Pinot Noir
A dry style of Sherry that has characteristics of both Fino/Amontillado and Oloroso - Develops limited flor
Soils: volcanic - gravel alluvial with sandstone - Cool maritime climate (warmer north - cooler south) - mountain ranges create rain shadow effect
Saumur AOC - Minimum 80% Chenin Blanc with Chardonnay and others


44. Sercial & Verdelho Vinification Styles
Juicyfruit Gum
Fruit loops
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
Dry Madeiras served chilled as aperitifs - Alcohol is added after fermentation has been completed


45. SA's Primary White Cultivars
Smoked meats/Bacon fat
Steen (Chenin Blanc) - Hanepoot (Muscat) - Chardonnay - SB - Semillon
Produced by adding distillate to a fermenting must (deliberately stuck fermentation) - Fortified wines typically 15 -16% - Muscat de Beaumes de Venise - Banyuls - etc.
Grenache Blanc - Clairette - Picpoul - Bourboulenc - Mauzac


46. Wachau Wine Classifications
Steinfeder (11% alcohol) - Federspiel (Kabinett level) - Smaragd (Spatlese level)
Palomino (95% of all plantings) - Pedro Ximenez - Moscatel: along with PX - used to sweeten blended wines and to add color
Marlborough - Nelson - Canterbury - Otago
Auckland - Hawkes Bay - Gisborne - Wairarapa


47. Vin Santo DOC
Dessert wine from passito grapes (Trebbiano & Malvasia) fermented slowly in small wooden barrels - Matured minimum 3 years and up to 6 years
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
Only a small percentage of grapes grown may be used for Port production - DOC status for table wines earned in 1982 - Grapes: Touriga Nacional - Tinta Roriz - Tinta Barroca
Soft Verdelho -style wine created in the 18th century


48. Tax and Trade Bureau
Regulators of American Viticultural Areas
South of Paso Robles - Maritime influence - cool climate - Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Furmint - Harslevelu - Muskatoly (Muscat Ottonel) - Oremus
Alluvial deposits and "pudding stones"


49. Prosecco
2009 Great 2008 Not so great
Sparkling wine made from Glera (Prosecco) grape - Superiore DOCG: Conegliano - Valdobiaddene - Colli Asolani
Southern OR - Rogue Valley - Applegate Valley - Umqua - Douglas Red Hills - Snake River - Columbia River - Walla Walla Valley - Columbia Gorge - Willamette Valley
Touriga Nacional - Touriga Francesa - Tinta Cao - Tinta Roriz - Tinta Baroca - Mourisco Tinto - Sousao


50. Mosel Valley
Riesling is king - Very steep vineyards with S/SW aspect - Slate soils - Delicacy - purity of fruit - racy acidity - terroir - low alcohol - ageworthy
Smoked meats/Bacon fat
White wines from Viognier from small single estate
Macon - Macon -Superieur - Macon -Villages - Saint -Veran - Pouilly -Loche - Pouilly -Vinzelles - Pouilly -Fuisse