How many liters does a barrique hold?Wikipedia, "Oak (wine)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Winemaking: Fermentation Vessels
What is a mesoclimate?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Grape Growing, Factor 2: Climate Terms
What is bâtonnage?Wikipedia, "Lees (fermentation)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Winemaking: Winemaking Terms
What is veraison?Wikipedia, "Veraison of grapes"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Grape Growing, Factor 7: Vine Cycle
Which cold ocean current cools the vineyards near Chile's coast?Wikipedia, "Chilean wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), South America: Chile, General Terms
Which yeast species carries out most wine fermentations?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Winemaking: Alcoholic Fermentation
Show all 84 questions (77 more)
France 17
A Champagne labeled Brut holds less than how many grams of sugar per liter?Wikipedia, "Champagne"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Champagne, Style
Banyuls is which style of wine?Wikipedia, "Banyuls AOC"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: South France, Languedoc-Roussillon
Cahors must be at least 70% which grape?Wikipedia, "Cahors wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: South France, Southwest France
The Côte du Py is a noted hillside of which Beaujolais cru?Wikipedia, "Beaujolais"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Burgundy, Appellations
Côte-Rôtie may be co-fermented with up to 20% of which white grape?Wikipedia, "Côte-Rôtie AOC"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: The Rhône Valley, General Terms
How many crus does Beaujolais have?Wikipedia, "Beaujolais"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Burgundy, Appellations
How many grand cru climats does Chablis have?Wikipedia, "Chablis (AOC)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Burgundy, Appellations
How many vineyards hold Alsace Grand Cru status?Wikipedia, "Alsace Grand Cru AOC"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Alsace, Appellations
On a Champagne label, what does RM stand for?Wikipedia, "Champagne"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Champagne, Label Terms
What is the minimum alcohol for Châteauneuf-du-Pape?Wikipedia, "Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: The Rhône Valley, Wine Law
Which Alsace grand cru may make its wine from Sylvaner?Wikipedia, "Alsace Grand Cru AOC"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Alsace, Appellations
Which estate alone holds the rank of Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 classification of Sauternes?Wikipedia, "Sauternes (wine)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Bordeaux, Classification
Which flinty soil is linked with Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé?Wikipedia, "Sancerre (wine)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Loire Valley, Soil
Which Northern Rhône red must be made from Syrah alone?Wikipedia, "Rhône wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: The Rhône Valley, Appellations
Which of these Bordeaux appellations has no official classification?Wikipedia, "Pomerol AOC"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Bordeaux, Classification
Which part of Champagne is planted mainly to Chardonnay?Comité Champagne, "Champagne and its grape varieties"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Champagne, Appellations
Which soil is the hallmark of Chablis?Wikipedia, "Chablis (AOC)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Burgundy, Soil
Italy 9
By law, Barbaresco must spend at least how long in wood?Wikipedia, "Barbaresco"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Piedmont, Winemaking
Chiavennasca is the local name of Nebbiolo in which zone?Wikipedia, "Nebbiolo"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna
Lambrusco di Sorbara is a DOC of which region?Wikipedia, "Lambrusco"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Appellations
Only Chianti Classico may carry which seal on the bottle?Wikipedia, "Chianti"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Tuscany, History and Lore
Sassicaia, often called the first Super Tuscan, comes from which coastal area?Wikipedia, "Tuscan wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Tuscany, Appellations
Spanna is the local name of Nebbiolo in which two appellations?Wikipedia, "Nebbiolo"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Piedmont, Grape Variety Names
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is based on which grape, known there as Prugnolo Gentile?Wikipedia, "Sangiovese"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Tuscany, Grape Variety Names
What is the ripasso technique of Valpolicella?Wikipedia, "Valpolicella"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli, Veneto, Appellations
What sets Franciacorta Satèn apart?Wikipedia, "Franciacorta DOCG"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Wine Law
Spain and Portugal 9
A red Rioja Crianza ages at least two years. How much of that must be in oak?Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja, "Classification"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spain: La Rioja, Classification
A red Rioja Gran Reserva needs at least how many years of aging in all?Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja, "Classification"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spain: La Rioja, Classification
Bierzo reds are based on which grape?Wikipedia, "Bierzo (DO)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spain: Castilla y León, Appellations
How does Amontillado age?Consejo Regulador Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, "Amontillado"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Fortified Wines: Style, Sherry
Manzanilla may be aged only in which town?Consejo Regulador Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, "Manzanilla"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Fortified Wines: Sherry
Mazuelo, a blending grape of Rioja, is also known by which name?Wikipedia, "Rioja DOCa"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spain: La Rioja, Grape Variety Names
Sherry meant to age under flor is fortified to about what strength?Consejo Regulador Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, "Fortification"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Fortified Wines: Winemaking, Sherry
Vintage Port is bottled how long after the harvest?Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto, "Port Wines: Special Categories"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Fortified Wines: Style, Port
Which Madeira grape gives the driest style?Wikipedia, "Madeira wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Fortified Wines: Style, Madeira
Germany, Austria, Hungary and Greece 8
Agiorgitiko is the red grape of which Greek appellation?Wikipedia, "Agiorgitiko"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Greece: Grape Variety Names
The flattened Bocksbeutel bottle belongs to which German region?Wikipedia, "Franconia (wine region)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Germany: Appellations
How are the vines of Santorini trained?Wikipedia, "Santorini (wine)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Greece: Grape Growing
In the VDP's vineyard classification, which term is its grand cru level?Wikipedia, "German wine classification"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Germany: Wine Law, VDP
The Oechsle scale measures what?Wikipedia, "German wine classification"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Germany: General Terms
Which grape joins Furmint in most Tokaji?Wikipedia, "Tokaji"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Hungary
Which is Germany's largest wine region?Wikipedia, "German wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Germany: Appellations
Which lists the Wachau categories from lightest to ripest?Wikipedia, "Wachau wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Austria: Wine Law
North America and the Southern Hemisphere 13
The Anderson Valley AVA lies in which county?27 CFR 9.86, Anderson Valley; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: California, North Coast
Cafayate, in Argentina's far north, is known for which grape?Wikipedia, "Torrontés"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), South America: Argentina, Appellations
Estate Bottled on a United States label means the winery grew what share of the grapes?27 CFR 4.26, Estate bottled; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: California, Wine Law
The Hunter Valley of New South Wales is noted for which white grape?Wikipedia, "Hunter Valley wine region"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Australia: Grape Variety Names
In Australia, a grape named on the label must make up at least what share of the wine?Wikipedia, "Australian wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Australia: Wine Law
The Knights Valley AVA lies in which county?27 CFR 9.76, Knights Valley; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: California, North Coast
The Lake Erie AVA spans New York and which two other states?27 CFR 9.83, Lake Erie; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: New York State
Pinotage crosses Pinot Noir with which grape?Wikipedia, "Pinotage"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), South Africa: Grape Variety Names
The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA lies in which county?27 CFR 9.139, Santa Lucia Highlands; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: California, Central Coast
The Sta. Rita Hills AVA lies in which county?27 CFR 9.162, Sta. Rita Hills; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: California, Central Coast
The Wairau and Awatere valleys are parts of which New Zealand region?Wikipedia, "New Zealand wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), New Zealand: Appellation
Which hybrid grape is widely used for Canadian ice wine?Wikipedia, "Ice wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: Canada
Which is the smallest unit of South Africa's Wine of Origin system?Wikipedia, "South African wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), South Africa: Wine Law
Sparkling and sweet wines 5
German Eiswein must be picked at the ripeness level of which Prädikat?Wikipedia, "German wine classification"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Germany: Wine Law
In the ancestral method, when is the wine bottled?Wikipedia, "Sparkling wine production"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), World Sparkling Wines: Méthode Ancestrale
In the transfer method, what happens after the second fermentation in the bottle?Wikipedia, "Sparkling wine production"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), World Sparkling Wines: Transfer Method
What is a puttony, the root of the Tokaji term puttonyos?Wikipedia, "Tokaji"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Hungary: Grape Growing
Which Port style is a tawny from a single harvest?Wikipedia, "Port wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Fortified Wines: Style, Port
Beer, sake, spirits and cocktails 9
A higher Sake Meter Value points to which kind of sake?Wikipedia, "Sake"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Sake: Label Terms
A Negroni is equal parts gin, Campari and what?International Bartenders Association, official cocktails: Negroni; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Cocktails
Daiginjo sake is made from rice polished down to at most what share of the grain?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Sake: Classification
How is Cognac distilled?Wikipedia, "Cognac"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spirits: Brandy
Lager is fermented with which yeast?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Beer: Ingredients, Yeast
Reposado Tequila rests in oak for how long?Wikipedia, "Tequila"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spirits: Agave-based Spirits
Tennessee whiskey is filtered through what before it goes into barrel?Wikipedia, "Tennessee whiskey"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spirits: Whisk(e)y
What does a beer's IBU figure measure?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Beer: Label Terms
Which spirit is the base of a Sidecar?International Bartenders Association, official cocktails: Sidecar; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Cocktails
Business of the sommelier 7
A bottle costs the restaurant $24. At a target cost of 30%, what is its list price?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Business of the Sommelier: List Price From Target Cost
A bottle lists at $60. Using 25 ounces to the bottle, what is the matching price of a 6-ounce glass?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Business of the Sommelier: By-the-Glass Costing
A dinner for 120 guests plans one 5-ounce glass each. Using 25 ounces to the bottle, how many bottles are needed?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Business of the Sommelier: Bottles Needed
A standard case of twelve 750 ml bottles holds how many liters?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Business of the Sommelier: Bottles in a Case
A wine costs $18 and sells for $72 on the list. What is its cost percentage?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Business of the Sommelier: Cost Percentage
Beginning inventory is $40,000, purchases are $15,000 and ending inventory is $38,000. What is the cost of goods sold?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Certified Sommelier Exam Guide (July 2024), Part 5; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Business of the Sommelier: Cost of Goods Sold
Using 25 ounces to the bottle, how many 5-ounce glasses does a standard 750 ml bottle pour?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Business of the Sommelier: Pours From a Standard Bottle
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the Certified Sommelier Exam column of the Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023) that the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas publishes (https://www.mastersommeliers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Introductory-Sommelier-Course-and-Certified-Somm-Theory-Exam-Curriculum-Guide.pdf), and to Part 5 of its Certified Sommelier Exam Guide (https://www.mastersommeliers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Certified-Sommelier-Exam-Guide-What-to-Expect.pdf). Facts were read on 2026-10-09 in that guide and in public sources named on each question: 27 CFR parts 4, 5 and 9 (ecfr.gov), the Comité Champagne (champagne.fr), the Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja (riojawine.com), the Consejo Regulador of Jerez (sherry.wine), the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (ivdp.pt), the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (legislation.gov.uk), the Brewers Association's CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary, the International Bartenders Association's official recipes, the owner's Hospitality and Service Standards, and Wikipedia articles on single regions, grapes and drinks. Licence: Own work. Every question, answer choice and explanation was written for this site from the public sources named on it. Nothing is taken from the examination, from its owner's practice exam, mock exams, workbook quizzes or example questions, or from another practice test.
How it works
This Certified Sommelier practice test drills the theory part of the examination by its published curriculum guide. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. The real examination also has tasting and service parts.
Read the full guide
What the real theory examination asks
The owner's exam guide describes multiple choice, short answer, simple math and matching questions, with maps and labels to recognize. This page is multiple choice only, so it drills the facts and not recall without choices.
Deeper than the first level
The curriculum guide prints each subject in two columns. These questions come from the Certified column: sub-regions, aging rules, classifications and local grape names. None repeats a question of our first-level bank.
Business of the sommelier
The exam guide puts costing inside the theory part. Seven questions here use the owner's published formulas, which count a 750 ml bottle as 25 ounces, with numbers of our own.
Learn aging rules in pairs: Barolo 18 months in wood and Barbaresco 9, Rioja Crianza two years and Gran Reserva five.
Local grape names recur: Spanna and Chiavennasca are Nebbiolo, Prugnolo Gentile is Sangiovese, Côt is Malbec, Mazuelo is Cariñena.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the Certified Sommelier theory exam?
The owner's page gives 45 questions to finish in 38 minutes. Points come from right answers only, so the exam guide says to leave no question blank.
What score do you need to pass the Certified Sommelier exam?
At least 60 percent on each of the three sections, tasting, theory and service, all at the same exam. The syllabus sets a wait of at least 90 days before a retake.
What is on the Certified Sommelier exam besides theory?
A written tasting of four wines, two white and two red, in 45 minutes, and a service practical of about 16 minutes in a mock restaurant. A page of questions cannot practice either one.
Is this an official Certified Sommelier practice exam?
No. Every question was written for this site from the public curriculum guide and public sources. The exam guide says registered candidates get the owner's own mock theory and tasting exams about three weeks before their exam date.
Do you need the Introductory Sommelier exam first?
Yes. The owner lists a pass on the Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination as the prerequisite. First-level questions are on our Level 1 sommelier practice test.