Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier Examination — Questions and Answers

Question 1: The 1855 Bordeaux Classification ranked châteaux based primarily on which factor?

Wine quality as assessed by a panel of experts
Vineyard soil analysis
Geographic proximity to the Gironde
Market prices at the time of classification (Correct answer)

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 2: What distinguishes an 'Oloroso' Sherry from a 'Fino' Sherry in terms of production?

Oloroso uses only Palomino grapes; Fino uses Pedro Ximénez
Oloroso is always sweet; Fino is always dry
Oloroso ages oxidatively without flor; Fino ages under a protective flor yeast layer (Correct answer)
Oloroso must be aged at least 20 years; Fino has no minimum age

Correct answer: Oloroso ages oxidatively without flor; Fino ages under a protective flor yeast layer

Oloroso Sherry is fortified to a higher alcohol level (18%+) that prevents flor growth, aging entirely through oxidation and developing a dark, nutty, full-bodied character.

Question 3: What is the standard volume of a traditional Bordeaux-style oak barrel (barrique)?

225 liters (Correct answer)
300 liters
500 liters
100 liters

Correct answer: 225 liters

The standard Bordeaux barrique holds 225 liters (approximately 59 gallons) and is the most widely used barrel size for aging premium red and white wines.

Question 4: 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 highest classification, with stricter production rules and mandatory tasting approval (Correct answer)
It is the same level but with government price controls
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 5: Which fortified wine is produced in the Setúbal Peninsula of Portugal from Muscat grapes?

Port
Vinho Verde
Moscatel de Setúbal (Correct answer)
Colares

Correct answer: Moscatel de Setúbal

Moscatel de Setúbal is a DOC fortified wine made from Muscat of Alexandria grapes on the Setúbal Peninsula south of Lisbon, known for its luscious orange-marmalade character.

Question 6: Tokaj, famous for its sweet Aszú wines, is located in which country?

Romania
Poland
Hungary (Correct answer)
Slovakia

Correct answer: Hungary

Tokaj is a UNESCO World Heritage wine region in northeastern Hungary, producing the legendary Aszú wines from botrytis-affected Furmint grapes.

Question 7: Which category of Cognac indicates a minimum aging of at least 2 years in French oak barrels?

VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale)
Hors d'Age
XO (Extra Old)
VS (Very Special) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: VS (Very Special)

VS (Very Special) Cognac requires a minimum of 2 years aging in French Limousin or Tronçais oak barrels, making it the youngest permitted Cognac category.

Question 8: Mendoza, Argentina's most important wine region, sits in the shadow of which mountain range?

Rockies
Appalachians
Sierra Madre
Andes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Andes

Mendoza's vineyards benefit from high altitude and a dry climate shaped by the Andes mountains, which block Pacific moisture.

Question 9: In France, a wine labeled 'Mis en bouteille au Château' means what?

Made from a single vineyard
Estate-bottled at the property where the grapes were grown (Correct answer)
Bottled by a négociant
Aged in new oak barrels

Correct answer: Estate-bottled at the property where the grapes were grown

'Mis en bouteille au Château' means the wine was bottled at the estate where it was produced, indicating the producer controlled the entire process from vineyard to bottle.

Question 10: Which aromatic white grape is the signature variety of Alsace, France, and is considered one of the world's finest noble white grapes?

Pinot Gris
Muscat
Gewürztraminer
Riesling (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Riesling

Riesling is considered Alsace's noblest grape, capable of producing everything from bone-dry to lusciously sweet Vendange Tardive and SGN wines.

Question 11: In sparkling wine production, 'dosage' refers to what?

A mixture of wine and sugar added after disgorgement to determine final sweetness (Correct answer)
The amount of base wine blended from different years
The yeast and sugar added to trigger secondary fermentation
The amount of sulfites added at bottling

Correct answer: A mixture of wine and sugar added after disgorgement to determine final sweetness

Dosage (liqueur d'expédition) is a blend of wine and sugar syrup added to Champagne after disgorgement to adjust the final sweetness level before corking.

Question 12: What is the correct angle to hold a wine bottle when pouring?

30 degrees
180 degrees
45 degrees (Correct answer)
90 degrees

Correct answer: 45 degrees

Holding a wine bottle at approximately a 45-degree angle when pouring is the correct technique for elegant and controlled service. This angle helps to regulate the flow of wine smoothly, preventing drips and ensuring a steady stream into the glass without splashing. It also allows for a gentle pour, which is particularly important for older, delicate wines.

Question 13: Constantia, South Africa's oldest wine-producing region, is located near which city?

Pretoria
Durban
Johannesburg
Cape Town (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cape Town

Constantia is on the Cape Peninsula just south of Cape Town, one of the world's oldest New World wine regions dating to the 1680s.

Question 14: What is the primary purpose of swirling wine in a glass during tasting?

To mix the wine with air, enhancing its aroma (Correct answer)
To reduce the alcohol content
To check the color clarity
To warm the wine

Correct answer: To mix the wine with air, enhancing its aroma

Swirling wine in a glass is a crucial step in tasting because it increases the wine's surface area exposed to oxygen, a process called aeration. This aeration helps to release volatile aromatic compounds, allowing the taster to perceive a wider and more complex range of the wine's scents and nuances. It effectively 'opens up' the wine, making its bouquet more expressive.

Question 15: Which of the following terms describes a wine with a high level of tannins?

Bitter
Astringent (Correct answer)
Sweet
Silky

Correct answer: Astringent

A wine with a high level of tannins is best described as 'astringent.' Tannins, found in grape skins, seeds, and oak barrels, create a drying, puckering sensation in the mouth, particularly on the gums and tongue. This characteristic contributes to the wine's structure, texture, and aging potential, especially in red wines.

Question 16: What is a 'par stock' in beverage management, and why is it important?

The sommelier's personal allocation for tasting wines
The price per bottle as listed on the wine menu
The optimal quantity of each beverage item that should be on hand at any given time to meet service demands (Correct answer)
The percentage of wine sales relative to food sales

Correct answer: The optimal quantity of each beverage item that should be on hand at any given time to meet service demands

Par stock is the predetermined quantity of each beverage that should be maintained in inventory to meet demand without over-ordering — it balances having enough product without tying up excessive capital.

Question 17: In beer service, what is the recommended glassware for serving a Belgian Trappist Dubbel?

A tall Weizen glass
A tulip or chalice glass (Correct answer)
A standard wine glass
A straight pint glass

Correct answer: A tulip or chalice glass

Belgian Trappist ales like Dubbels are traditionally served in chalice or goblet-shaped glasses that showcase their rich color and support a dense foam head while concentrating complex aromas.

Question 18: Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is which style of wine?

Sparkling Muscat from Alsace
Dry white wine from the Rhône
Red dessert wine from Beaujolais
Naturally sweet fortified wine (Vin Doux Naturel) from Southern Rhône (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Naturally sweet fortified wine (Vin Doux Naturel) from Southern Rhône

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is a Vin Doux Naturel (VDN) from the Southern Rhône, made by adding grape spirit to fermenting Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains juice to retain natural sweetness.

Question 19: In Australia, the term 'GI' (Geographical Indication) functions similarly to which European concept?

Quality grading system
Appellation of origin (Correct answer)
Brand name protection
Organic certification

Correct answer: Appellation of origin

Australia's GI system delineates wine zones, regions, and subregions to protect place names on wine labels, similar to Europe's appellation system.

Question 20: Botrytis cinerea, when it affects wine grapes under favorable conditions, is known as what?

Sour rot
Noble rot (Correct answer)
Grey rot
Powdery mildew

Correct answer: Noble rot

Under warm, humid mornings followed by dry afternoons, Botrytis cinerea becomes 'noble rot,' concentrating sugars and acids for sweet wine production.

Question 21: Which of the following wines pairs well with grilled steak?

Merlot
Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon (Correct answer)
Pinot Noir

Correct answer: Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic and highly recommended wine pairing for grilled steak, especially richer cuts. Its robust structure, firm tannins, and bold black fruit flavors stand up to the intensity and richness of the meat. The tannins in the wine interact with the proteins and fats in the steak, cleansing the palate and enhancing the savory flavors of the dish.

Question 22: Phylloxera devastated European vineyards in the late 19th century. What was the primary solution used to combat it?

Spraying vineyards with copper sulfate
Grafting European vines onto American rootstock (Correct answer)
Replanting with phylloxera-resistant European varieties
Flooding vineyards with water

Correct answer: Grafting European vines onto American rootstock

Grafting Vitis vinifera vines onto phylloxera-resistant American rootstock (Vitis riparia, rupestris, berlandieri) became the global solution to the phylloxera epidemic.

Question 23: If a wine has a strong aroma of green bell pepper, what grape variety might it be?

Cabernet Sauvignon (Correct answer)
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Merlot

Correct answer: Cabernet Sauvignon

A strong aroma of green bell pepper, often attributed to compounds called pyrazines, is a classic varietal characteristic of Cabernet Sauvignon. This herbaceous note is particularly noticeable when the grapes are grown in cooler climates or are not fully ripe. It serves as a key identifier for the grape and contributes to its complex aromatic profile.

Question 24: What does 'En Primeur' refer to in the Bordeaux wine trade?

Organic or biodynamic certified wines
Wines bottled within the first year of harvest
The first growth châteaux classification
Buying wines as futures before they are bottled (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Buying wines as futures before they are bottled

En Primeur is the system where Bordeaux châteaux offer wines for sale in the spring after harvest, while the wine is still in barrel — buyers receive the wine 18-24 months later.

Question 25: The classification system for Burgundy's Chablis region includes how many Grand Cru vineyards?

3
5
12
7 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 7

Chablis has exactly 7 Grand Cru vineyards (Blanchot, Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouilles, Preuses, Valmur, and Vaudésir), all on the right bank facing southwest.

Question 26: What term describes the process of leaving grape juice in contact with skins to extract color, tannins, and flavor compounds?

Cold stabilization
Maceration (Correct answer)
Chaptalization
Malolactic fermentation

Correct answer: Maceration

Maceration is the period of skin contact during or after fermentation that extracts color, tannins, and phenolic compounds from grape skins.

Question 27: What does the term "terroir" refer to in winemaking?

The method of pruning grapevines
The aging process in barrels
The environmental factors that influence the character of the wine (Correct answer)
The blend of grape varieties used in a wine

Correct answer: The environmental factors that influence the character of the wine

The term 'terroir' refers to the complete set of environmental factors that influence the character of a wine. This includes the climate, soil type, topography, and other geographical features, along with traditional viticultural practices. Terroir explains why wines from different regions, even when made from the same grape variety, possess unique and distinct characteristics.

Question 28: The 'appassimento' technique, used to produce wines like Amarone della Valpolicella, involves which process?

Harvesting grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) to concentrate sugars
Fermenting red grapes at very low temperatures to preserve fruit aromas
Partially drying harvested grapes on racks or straw mats to concentrate sugars and flavors before pressing (Correct answer)
Freezing grapes on the vine in winter temperatures and pressing while still frozen

Correct answer: Partially drying harvested grapes on racks or straw mats to concentrate sugars and flavors before pressing

Appassimento involves laying harvested grapes on bamboo racks (arele) or straw mats for 90–120 days to partially dry and raisin, concentrating sugars, acids, and flavors before fermentation.

Question 29: Which grape variety is the primary component of red Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie wines in the Northern Rhône?

Carignan
Grenache
Syrah (Correct answer)
Mourvèdre

Correct answer: Syrah

Syrah is the only red grape permitted in Northern Rhône appellations like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, producing deeply colored, peppery wines.

Question 30: Which grape variety must comprise at least 51% of a wine labeled 'Vintage Port'?

Tinta Barroca
Tinta Roriz
Touriga Nacional (Correct answer)
Touriga Franca

Correct answer: Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional is considered the finest Port grape and typically dominates Vintage Port blends, contributing structure, aroma, and longevity.

Question 31: 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?

85% (Correct answer)
75%
100%
51%

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.

Question 32: Which technique, known as 'délestage' or rack-and-return, involves draining fermenting juice from a tank, pressing the skins, then returning the juice?

A gentle extraction technique that also aerates the juice and breaks up the cap (Correct answer)
A process of removing excess sugar from must
A sparkling wine production method for secondary fermentation
A method of adding acidification before fermentation

Correct answer: A gentle extraction technique that also aerates the juice and breaks up the cap

Délestage drains the tank, allows skins to press under their own weight to break the cap, then returns the juice, resulting in aeration, gentler extraction, and breaking of seeds from skins.

Question 33: Which fining agent, derived from fish bladders, is traditionally used to clarify white wines and lagers?

Isinglass (Correct answer)
Egg whites (albumin)
Gelatin
Bentonite clay

Correct answer: Isinglass

Isinglass is a fining agent derived from dried fish swim bladders that effectively clarifies white wines by attracting and precipitating haze-forming particles.

Question 34: Rioja wine region in Spain is divided into three sub-zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and which third zone?

Rioja Baja
Rioja Oriental (Correct answer)
Rioja Central
Rioja Sur

Correct answer: Rioja Oriental

Rioja is divided into Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental (formerly called Rioja Baja), each with distinct climatic influences.

Question 35: The Calvados appellation in France produces a spirit made from which base ingredient?

Plums
Cider (apples/pears) (Correct answer)
Grain (barley/wheat)
Grape wine

Correct answer: Cider (apples/pears)

Calvados is a French apple (and sometimes pear) brandy produced in Normandy, distilled from cider and aged in oak barrels.

Question 36: Madeira wine is produced on a Portuguese island and is notable for which unique production process?

Extended maceration on grape skins
Triple distillation for purity
Freeze concentration to increase sweetness
Estufagem — deliberate heating of the wine (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Estufagem — deliberate heating of the wine

Madeira undergoes 'estufagem' (heating process), either in temperature-controlled tanks or naturally in warm warehouses ('canteiro' method), creating its distinctive oxidized, caramelized character.

Question 37: Cognac is a brandy produced in France that must be distilled in which type of still?

Pot still (Charentais alembic) (Correct answer)
Vacuum still
Column (Coffey) still
Hybrid still

Correct answer: Pot still (Charentais alembic)

By law, Cognac must be double-distilled in traditional copper Charentais pot stills (alembic charentais), giving the spirit its distinctive character.

Question 38: What is the primary benefit of aging wine 'sur lie' (on its lees) after fermentation?

It reduces the wine's alcohol level
It adds complexity, creamy texture, and autolytic notes such as bread and biscuit (Correct answer)
It adds deep color and more tannins to the wine
It clarifies the wine faster than filtration

Correct answer: It adds complexity, creamy texture, and autolytic notes such as bread and biscuit

Sur lie aging keeps wine in contact with spent yeast cells, which undergo autolysis and release compounds that add creamy texture, complexity, and toasty, brioche-like aromas.

Question 39: A 'Late Bottled Vintage' (LBV) Port must be from a single year's harvest and aged in barrel for how long before bottling?

10+ years
1-2 years
4-6 years (Correct answer)
2-3 years

Correct answer: 4-6 years

LBV Port must be from a single declared year and aged in barrel for 4-6 years before bottling, creating a more approachable and affordable alternative to Vintage Port.

Question 40: What does 'bâtonnage' refer to in the context of white wine production?

A type of oak barrel toasting applied to the barrel's interior
The mechanical harvesting of grapes using a harvest machine
The manual clarification of wine by repeated racking
Stirring the lees during barrel or tank aging to enhance texture and complexity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stirring the lees during barrel or tank aging to enhance texture and complexity

Bâtonnage is the practice of stirring lees (dead yeast cells and grape solids) back into suspension during aging to increase contact between the wine and lees, adding creaminess and complexity.

Question 41: Sangiovese is the primary grape in which classic Italian red wine?

Amarone
Barolo
Brunello di Montalcino
Chianti Classico (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Chianti Classico

Chianti Classico DOCG is based on Sangiovese, requiring a minimum of 80% of this variety in the blend.

Question 42: Which term on an Italian wine label indicates the wine has been aged longer than the standard DOC/DOCG requirements?

Vendemmia
Superiore
Riserva (Correct answer)
Classico

Correct answer: Riserva

The term 'Riserva' on Italian wine labels designates wines that have been aged for longer periods than the minimum required for standard DOC/DOCG wines.

Question 43: The EU wine quality classification replaced the old 'table wine' designation with which term?

Vino da Tavola
Wine without a Protected Designation (Vinho de Mesa/Vin de France) (Correct answer)
Vino sin IGP
Vin de Pays

Correct answer: Wine without a Protected Designation (Vinho de Mesa/Vin de France)

The 2009 EU wine reform replaced older table wine terminology with 'Wine without a GI,' allowing simpler labeling while still permitting vintage and variety on labels.

Question 44: Sherry is a fortified wine produced in which region of Spain?

Ribera del Duero
Rioja
Penedès
Jerez (Marco de Jerez) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Jerez (Marco de Jerez)

Sherry is produced exclusively in the Marco de Jerez, a triangle of towns in Andalusia including Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María.

Question 45: What does the French winemaking term 'élevage' refer to?

The legal classification and appellation system for French wines
The pressing of grapes to extract juice before fermentation
The aging, maturation, and development of wine from end of fermentation to bottling (Correct answer)
The annual grape harvest and crush period

Correct answer: The aging, maturation, and development of wine from end of fermentation to bottling

Élevage literally means 'raising' and describes the winemaker's work of nurturing and developing wine from the end of fermentation through to bottling, including barrel aging and blending decisions.

Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier Examination

The Certified Sommelier Examination tests wine, beverage, and sommelier trade knowledge through a three-part assessment covering theory, deductive tasting, and hospitality service in a single-day sitting.

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38 min

Time Limit

60%

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