SOMM Spirits and Fortified Wines

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Pot still (Charentais alembic)

Answer

Column (Coffey) still

Answer

Vacuum still

Answer

Hybrid still

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Jerez (Marco de Jerez)

Answer

Rioja

Answer

Penedès

Answer

Ribera del Duero

Question 3

What is the 'Solera system' used in Sherry production?

Accepted Answer

A fractional blending system using tiered barrels to maintain consistent house style

Answer

A method of fortifying wine with grape spirit

Answer

A technique for producing flor yeast

Answer

A system for classifying Sherry by sweetness level

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Estufagem — deliberate heating of the wine

Answer

Extended maceration on grape skins

Answer

Freeze concentration to increase sweetness

Answer

Triple distillation for purity

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

VS (Very Special)

Answer

VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale)

Answer

XO (Extra Old)

Answer

Hors d'Age

Question 6

Fino Sherry gets its distinctive pale color and crisp, nutty flavor from aging under which biological process?

Accepted Answer

Flor yeast (Saccharomyces beticus)

Answer

Malolactic fermentation

Answer

Solera barrel oxidation

Answer

Cold stabilization