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Certified Sommelier Exam

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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Match each statement with the correct term.
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1. Noble
Longest growing season in CA - Series of east -west valleys - Cool - dry coastal climate - Sauvignon Blanc - Chardonnay - Pinot Noir - Syrah - Merlot
Rioja Alta - Rioja Alavesa - Rioja Baja
Aged 12 months in bottle or barrel
NZ's 2nd fastest growing region (to Marlborough) - Stony - well -drained soils - Quality SB - Chardonnay - Riesling - and PN

2. Grosslage
Collection of vineyards
White - red - and rose from SB - PN - and Pinot Gris
AKA Palatinate - Warm climate - Trocken wines important (Grosses Gerwachs) - Riesling - Scheurebe - Grauburgunder - Muller -Thurgau - Spatburgunder
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

3. Primary Spanish White Varietals
Airen - Viura (Macabeo) - Chardonnay - Verdejo - Albarino
Assyrtiko - Moschofilero - Malagousia - Roditis - White Muscat - Chardonnay - SB
High acid
70% Merlot - 25% Cabernet Franc - 5% minor varietals

4. Auckland

5. South Australia

6. Pinot Noir
Red wines from Syrah with up to 20% Viognier allowed
Vouvray - Montlouis - Chinon - Bourgueil & Saint -Nicolas -de -Bourgueil
America's oldest wine industry
Cranberry

7. Nelso

8. Madeira Grapes (Driest to Sweetest)
Longest growing season in CA - Series of east -west valleys - Cool - dry coastal climate - Sauvignon Blanc - Chardonnay - Pinot Noir - Syrah - Merlot
Alluvial clays
Sercial - Verdelho - Bual - Malmsey
Plum skin

9. Saint -Peray
Arrested fermentation fortified wine - Vineyards planted on steep slopes (up to 60 degrees) with schist soils
Sparkling wines from Marsanne and Roussanne
Condrieu - and Hermitage Steep slopes with granite soils
Lafite -Rothschild - Latour - Mouton -Rothschild - Margaux - Haut -Brion

10. Portugal Wine Quality Levels
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
Cava (most in Catalonia)
America's oldest wine industry
Longest tenure of winemaking in the New World

11. South Africa
Longest tenure of winemaking in the New World
Red grape grown in Sardinia similar to Grenache
Roussanne - Clairette - Picpoul - Bourbolenc - Grenache Blanc - etc.
Red wines are predominantly Grenache - Home of a famous Vin Doux Naturel

12. Washington State Appellations
Steinfeder (11% alcohol) - Federspiel (Kabinett level) - Smaragd (Spatlese level)
Collection of vineyards
AVAs - Columbia Valley - Yakima Valley - Walla Walla Valley - Red Mountain - Horse Heaven Hills - Columbia Gorge - Wahluke Slope - Snipes Mountain - Lake Chelan - Puget Sound
(Bordeaux)Haut Medoc - Saint -Estephe - Pauillac - Saint -Julien - Listrac & Moulis - Margaux - Graves - Pessac - Leognan - Sauternes

13. Layon Valley AOCs
Lentils
Chaume Premier Cru - Bonnezeaux - Quarts de Chaume - Coteaux du Layon -Chaume - Coteaux du Layon Villages
Volcanic soils - red basalt - low fertility - Cool maritime climate - high humidity - windy (East facing slopes) - Chardonnay - Riesling - Gewurztraminer - Pinot Noir - sparkling wines - Hobart - Launceston - Piper's River - Coal River
Arinto - Codega - Malvasia Fino - Malvasia Corada - Rabigato - Vioshino

14. Beaujolais Cru ACs
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
Saint Amour - Julienas - Chenas - Chiroubles - Moulin a Vent - Fleurie - Morgon - Regnie - Brouilly - Cote de Brouilly
Gradual breakdown of yeasts
Sangiovese and Canaiolo with Trebbiano and Malvasia - Addition of white grapes no longer mandatory - Up to 20% CS - Merlot - and Syrah permitted

15. Northern Rhone Grape Varietals
Trebbiano called "Procanico" - Grechetto - Drupeggio - Sangiovese - and Sagrantino grown - Best know white is Orvieto - Torgiano DOC - Torgiano Riserva DOCG - Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
Whites: Viognier - Roussanne - Marsanne Reds: Syrah
12 months
Heavier - clay -oriented soils

16. Biologically -aged Sherry Styles & Descriptions
Rose from Grenache and Cinsault
Lentils
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
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. Tawny Port
Aged in wood - ready to drink on release - Sees oxygen in the barrel and - thus - loses its color - Aged Tawny Port (with indication of age)
NZ's original wine region - Home to Kumeu -Huapai and Waiheke Island - Very warm maritime climate with high humidity - Heavy clay soils (except for Waiheke Island) - Known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
New South Wales - Victoria - Tasmania - South Australia - Western Australia - Northern Territory - Queensland
Longest tenure of winemaking in the New World

18. Sardinia
Primary Whites Grown are Vernaccia and Vermentino - Primary Reds Grown are Cannonau - Carignano - and Nuragua
Anjou AOC - Dry wines from Chenin Blanc - Tiny appellation with low yields - Best wines have great aging potential - Clos de la Coulee de Serrant - Chateau de la Roche aux Moines
Most southerly wine region in the world - Alluvial soils with outcroppings of chalk and limestone loams - Potential for Rieslings and sparkling wines
Soils: volcanic - gravel alluvial with sandstone - Cool maritime climate (warmer north - cooler south) - mountain ranges create rain shadow effect

19. Chinon
Glassy -winged sharpshooter
Red wines from Cabernet Franc and up to 10% Cabernet Sauvignon - Tufa soils
Grenache Blanc - Clairette - Picpoul - Bourboulenc - Mauzac
Anjou AOC - Dry wines from Chenin Blanc - Tiny appellation with low yields - Best wines have great aging potential - Clos de la Coulee de Serrant - Chateau de la Roche aux Moines

20. Sherry Soil Types
Dominio de Valdepusa - Finca Elez - Pago Guijoso - Dehesa del Carrizal (Toledo) - Senorio de Arinzano (Navarra) - Bodegas Otazu (Navarra)
Limestone (best whites) and Marl (best reds)
Albariza - Barros - Arenas
The Hamptons - North Fork Long Island - Long Island - Hudson Valley - Seneca Lake - Cayuga Lake - Finger Lakes

21. Vin de Liqueur
Produced by adding distillate to UNfermented must - The distillate is a local brandy - and the must is from similarly local grapes - Pineau des Charentes and Floc de Gascogne
High acid
Montagne de Reims (known for PN) - Vallee de la Marne - Cote de Blancs (lots of Chardonnay) - Cote de Sezanne - Aube
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 -

22. Regions of Southern Portugal
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)
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
Napa County - Sonoma County - Mendocino County - Lake County - Marin County - Solano County
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

23. Pouilly Fume
Limestone and silex soils - Whites from Sauvignon Blanc
Saumur AOC - Minimum 80% Chenin Blanc with Chardonnay and others
Anjou AOC - Dry wines from Chenin Blanc - Tiny appellation with low yields - Best wines have great aging potential - Clos de la Coulee de Serrant - Chateau de la Roche aux Moines
Touriga Nacional - Touriga Francesa - Tinta Cao - Tinta Roriz - Tinta Baroca - Mourisco Tinto - Sousao

24. Vintage Port
Adjacent to Sancerre - White - red - and rose from SB - PN - and Gamay
Plum skin
Chenin Blanc - Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne) - Sauvignon Blanc - Chardonnay
Accounts for less than 3% of all port - Most expensive - BUT easiest to produce (2 years wood aging) - Produced from top quintas - Vintages must be declared and approved by IVP

25. Ruby Port & Styles

26. Alsace Noble Varietals

27. Hermitage
ed wines from Syrah with up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne - Whites from Marsanne and Roussanne
Chardonnay - Riesling - Semillon - Muscat - Sauvignon Blanc - Chenin Blanc - Verdelho - Viognier
Fruit character
Blueberry

28. Penedes Sub -Districts
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")
Grass
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
Baix Penedes - Medio Penedes - Alta Penedes

29. Sangiovese (Tuscany)
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
Sour red cherry
Xarel -lo - Macabeo - Parellada - Chardonnay
Cotes du Roussillon - Cotes du Roussillon Villages - Collioure (southernmost AC in France other than Corsica) - Coteaux du Languedoc - Minervois - Fitou - Corbieres - St. Chinian

30. South African Wine Regions
Dehydrated strawberries
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
Coastal (Stellenbosch - Paarl - Constantia - etc.) - Breede River Valley - Olifants River - Klein Karoo (Sweet Muscadelle and light whites) - Boberg (for fortified wines only)
Condrieu - and Hermitage Steep slopes with granite soils

31. Anejo
Neutral grape spirit at 77% alcohol added to port wine
Galicia (Rias Biaxas) - Toro - Rueda - Ribera del Duero
Aged 24 months in bottle or barrel
District of villages & vineyards

32. Champagne Regions (North to South)
Montagne de Reims (known for PN) - Vallee de la Marne - Cote de Blancs (lots of Chardonnay) - Cote de Sezanne - Aube
Chehalem Mountains - Ribbon Ridge - Yamhill -Carlton - Dundee Hills - McMinnville - Eola -Amity Hills
Used in dosage phase to fill the space left after the yeast remnant pops out
Neutral grape spirit at 77% alcohol added to port wine

33. 85% Varietal Madeiras
Center of Cava production - Traditional Whites: Parellada - Xarel -lo - Macabeo - Traditional Reds: Garnacha - Monstrell - Ull de Liebre
Riesling & Spatburgunder - Wines are richer than Mosel - great aging potential - trocken wines are important - Erstes Gewachs (First Growths)
3yr - 5yr Reserve - 10yr Special Reserve - 15yr Extra Reserve
Introduced in Australia in 1990 - Guarantees all claims made on label (variety - vintage - region - etc.) - 85% for vintage - variety - and origin

34. Grenache
Viura - Malvasia - Garnacha Blanca - Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc - Verdejo
Aged 24 months in bottle or barrel
Dehydrated strawberries
Regulators of American Viticultural Areas

35. Cultivars
From Lake Garda in the west to the Adriatc - Venice and Verona
Arinto - Codega - Malvasia Fino - Malvasia Corada - Rabigato - Vioshino
What varietals are called in South Africa
Dried sour red cherry

36. Chateau -Grillet
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
A vintage tawny with a minimum of seven years cask aging
White wines from Viognier from small single estate
Auckland - Hawkes Bay - Gisborne - Wairarapa

37. Pierce's Disease
Glassy -winged sharpshooter
Red wines are predominantly Grenache - Home of a famous Vin Doux Naturel
Center of Cava production - Traditional Whites: Parellada - Xarel -lo - Macabeo - Traditional Reds: Garnacha - Monstrell - Ull de Liebre
Napa County - Sonoma County - Mendocino County - Lake County - Marin County - Solano County

38. Rainwater
Palomino (95% of all plantings) - Pedro Ximenez - Moscatel: along with PX - used to sweeten blended wines and to add color
Soft Verdelho -style wine created in the 18th century
All DOCG - Classico - Rufina - Colli Fiorentini (Florence) - Colli Senesi (Siena) - Colline Pisane (Pisa) - Colli Aretini (Arezzo) - Montalbano - Montespertoli
Chateauneuf -de -Pape - Gigondas - Vacqueyras - Cotes -du -Rhone - Cotes -du -Rhone Villages - Tavel - Lirac - Beaumes -de -Venise - Vinsobres

39. Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Cinsault - Grenache - Syrah - Mourvedre - Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc
eanut shell
Alluvial deposits and "pudding stones"
Juicyfruit Gum

40. Sherry Grape Varietals
Palomino (95% of all plantings) - Pedro Ximenez - Moscatel: along with PX - used to sweeten blended wines and to add color
Heavier - clay -oriented soils
South end of North Island - Includes Marlborough - Quality Pinot Noir (up and coming region)
Wachau: steep vineyards facing the Danube - Wagram - Kremstal - Kamptal

41. Palo Cortado
Adriatic Sea coast - Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOCG - Conero DOCG - Rosso Conero
Lentils
Auckland - Hawkes Bay - Gisborne - Wairarapa
A dry style of Sherry that has characteristics of both Fino/Amontillado and Oloroso - Develops limited flor

42. Label Integrity Program (LIP)
Produces aromatic whites from Verdejo plus Sauvignon Blanc and Viura
Clay -based soils with chalk - Sparkling wines from Maria Gomez and Bical - Red wines must contain a minimum of 50% Baga grape (normally 80%) - Predominant white grape is Maria Gomez
Introduced in Australia in 1990 - Guarantees all claims made on label (variety - vintage - region - etc.) - 85% for vintage - variety - and origin
Aloxe Corton (red Grand Cru is Corton - white Grand Cru is Corton Charlemagne) - Beaune (Premier Cru only) - Pommard (Premier Cru only) - Volnay (Premier Cru only) - Puligny -Motrachet (4 Grand Cru*) - Chassagne -Montrachet (4 Grand Cru*) *2 overlap

43. Pauillac
Red grape grown in Sardinia similar to Grenache
Pinotage - CS - CF - Merlot - Syrah - Grenache - PN
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 -
Viura - Malvasia - Garnacha Blanca - Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc - Verdejo

44. Australia
eanut shell
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
White wines from Viognier from small single estate
GI originated in 1994 with EU agreement

45. Chardonnay's Role in Champagne
Tartared raspberry
Finesse
Grass
Continental with LeMistral winds

46. Central Vineyards AOCs
Sancerre - Pouilly Fume - Menetou Salon - Quincy - Reuilly
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
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
NZ's 2nd fastest growing region (to Marlborough) - Stony - well -drained soils - Quality SB - Chardonnay - Riesling - and PN

47. Central Otago
Cava (most in Catalonia)
Neutral grape spirit at 77% alcohol added to port wine
Most southerly wine region in the world - Alluvial soils with outcroppings of chalk and limestone loams - Potential for Rieslings and sparkling wines
Cote Rotie - Condrieu - Chateau -Grillet - St. Joseph - Crozes -Hermitage - Hermitage - Cornas - Saint -Peray

48. Primary Greek Red Varietals
Xynomavro - Agiorgitiko - Mavrodaphne
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 -
Mediterranean climate with Mistral winds - Many vineyards planted on flat valley floor
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

49. Red Rioja Quality Levels & Requirements
Red wines with maximum with maximum 80% Grenache
Vino Joven: no aging requirements - Vino de Crianza: one year in barrels - one year further aging - Reserva: one year in barrels - two years further aging - Gran Reserva: two years in barrels - three years further aging
12 months
Whites: Viognier - Roussanne - Marsanne Reds: Syrah

50. Willamette Valley Subregion AVAs
Dessert wine from passito grapes (Trebbiano & Malvasia) fermented slowly in small wooden barrels - Matured minimum 3 years and up to 6 years
Red wines from minimum 90% Syrah and up to 10% Marsanne and/or Roussanne - Whites from Marsanne and Roussanne
Alluvial deposits and "pudding stones"
Chehalem Mountains - Ribbon Ridge - Yamhill -Carlton - Dundee Hills - McMinnville - Eola -Amity Hills