SOMM Wine Laws and Appellations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In France, the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) system regulates which aspects of wine production?
- Only grape variety
- Only geographic origin
- Geographic origin, permitted grape varieties, yields, and winemaking practices (Correct answer)
- Only minimum alcohol levels
Correct answer: Geographic origin, permitted grape varieties, yields, and winemaking practices
The French AOC system controls geographic boundaries, permitted grape varieties, maximum yields, minimum alcohol levels, and specific viticultural and winemaking practices.
Question 2: The 1855 Bordeaux Classification ranked châteaux based primarily on which factor?
- Wine quality as assessed by a panel of experts
- Market prices at the time of classification (Correct answer)
- Vineyard soil analysis
- Geographic proximity to the Gironde
Correct answer: Market prices at the time of classification
The 1855 Bordeaux Classification was created for the Paris Universal Exhibition and ranked châteaux primarily by their established market prices, which reflected their historical reputation.
Question 3: In Italy, what does the designation 'DOCG' (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) indicate compared to DOC?
- It is a lower-quality classification
- It is the same level but with government price controls
- It is the highest classification, with stricter production rules and mandatory tasting approval (Correct answer)
- It only applies to sparkling wines
Correct answer: It is the highest classification, with stricter production rules and mandatory tasting approval
DOCG is Italy's highest wine classification, requiring stricter production standards than DOC plus mandatory approval by a tasting committee before release.
Question 4: What is a 'Grand Cru' designation in Burgundy's classification hierarchy?
- The lowest tier, applied to basic regional wines
- The second tier, applied to village-level wines
- The highest tier, designating specific top vineyard sites (Correct answer)
- A term for wines aged over 10 years
Correct answer: The highest tier, designating specific top vineyard sites
Grand Cru is Burgundy's highest vineyard classification, with only 33 red and white Grand Cru sites in the Côte d'Or, representing the finest terroirs.
Question 5: The German Prädikat system classifies wines based on what factor?
- Vineyard location (Einzellage, Grosslage)
- The ripeness/sugar level of grapes at harvest (Correct answer)
- Oak aging duration
- Blend composition
Correct answer: The ripeness/sugar level of grapes at harvest
Germany's Prädikat system (Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, Eiswein) classifies wines by increasing grape must sugar levels at harvest.
Question 6: In the US, what minimum percentage of a wine's grapes must come from a named AVA (American Viticultural Area) to use that AVA name on the label?
- 51%
- 75%
- 85% (Correct answer)
- 100%
Correct answer: 85%
US labeling law requires that at least 85% of the grapes used in a wine must come from the stated AVA for that AVA name to appear on the label.
SOMM Wine Laws and Appellations 1
In France, the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) system regulates which aspects of wine production?