98 questions of our own for the Introductory Sommelier exam, sorted by the subjects of its published curriculum guide.
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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. Bank checked October 9, 2026.
The real exam, as its owner describes it
Questions
70
To pass
42 of 70 right (60%)
Time limit
45 minutes
Fee
Course and exam together: $949 in person, $649 online, as listed on 2026-10-09
Retakes
Online, for $150, at least 14 days after the last attempt
What it covers
The course and its workbook: wine law, grapes and their appellations, wine styles, production methods, pairing, maps and labels, service basics, and beer, sake
Who may attend
The in-person course is open to anyone aged 21 or older.
Botrytis cinerea, welcome in some sweet wine vineyards, is also called what?Wikipedia, "Noble rot"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Grape Growing, Factor 7: Vineyard Management
How are European vines protected from phylloxera?Wikipedia, "Phylloxera"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Grape Growing, Factor 7: Pests and Disease
In alcoholic fermentation, yeast turns grape sugar into alcohol and which gas?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Winemaking: Alcoholic Fermentation
Malolactic fermentation changes which acid into softer lactic acid?Wikipedia, "Malolactic fermentation"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Winemaking: Winemaking Terms
Most of the world's wine regions lie between which lines of latitude, north and south?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Grape Growing, Factor 2: Climate
What is chaptalization?Wikipedia, "Chaptalization"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Winemaking: Winemaking Terms
What is phylloxera?Wikipedia, "Phylloxera"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Grape Growing, Factor 7: Pests and Disease
Which species of vine gives most of the world's quality wine?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide (August 2023): Grape Growing, Factor 5: Grape Variety
Show all 98 questions (90 more)
France 21
A Champagne labeled blanc de blancs is made from which grape?Wikipedia, "Champagne"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Champagne
Chablis is made from which grape?Wikipedia, "Chablis (AOC)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Burgundy
Condrieu is a white wine from which grape?Wikipedia, "Rhône wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: The Rhône Valley
The Côte d'Or is split into the Côte de Nuits and which other part?Wikipedia, "Burgundy wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Burgundy
In the Champagne method, what does riddling do?Wikipedia, "Champagne"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Champagne
Muscadet is made from which grape?Wikipedia, "Muscadet"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Loire Valley
Non-vintage Champagne must age at least how long before release?Wikipedia, "Champagne"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Champagne
Red Burgundy from the Côte d'Or is made from which grape?Wikipedia, "Burgundy wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Burgundy
Sauternes is which style of wine?Wikipedia, "Sauternes (wine)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Bordeaux
Vouvray is made from which grape?Wikipedia, "Vouvray (wine)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Loire Valley
What are the galets of Châteauneuf-du-Pape?Wikipedia, "Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: The Rhône Valley
What does Vendange Tardive mean on an Alsace label?Wikipedia, "Alsace wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Alsace
Which château was raised from second growth to first growth in 1973?Wikipedia, "Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Bordeaux
Which first growth of 1855 comes from Graves, not the Médoc?Wikipedia, "Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Bordeaux
Which grape leads the red blends of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion?Wikipedia, "Bordeaux wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Bordeaux
Which grape makes red Beaujolais?Wikipedia, "Beaujolais"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Burgundy
Which grape makes the red wines of the Northern Rhône?Wikipedia, "Rhône wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: The Rhône Valley
Which mountains shelter the vineyards of Alsace?Wikipedia, "Alsace wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Alsace
Which three grapes make almost all Champagne?Comité Champagne, "Champagne and its grape varieties"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Champagne
Which two grapes lead white Bordeaux?Wikipedia, "Bordeaux wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Bordeaux
White Sancerre is made from which grape?Wikipedia, "Sancerre (wine)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Loire Valley
Italy 10
Barolo and Barbaresco are made from which grape?Wikipedia, "Barolo"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Piedmont
Brunello di Montalcino is made from which grapes?Wikipedia, "Brunello di Montalcino"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Tuscany
Gavi is a dry white wine from which grape?Wikipedia, "Cortese di Gavi"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Piedmont
How does Prosecco usually get its bubbles?Wikipedia, "Prosecco"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), World Sparkling Wines: Charmat Method
Moscato d'Asti is which style of wine?Wikipedia, "Moscato d'Asti"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Piedmont
Soave is made mostly from which grape?Wikipedia, "Soave (wine)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli, Veneto
Taurasi, from Campania, is based on which grape?Wikipedia, "Taurasi (wine)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Central and Southern Italy
What sets Amarone della Valpolicella apart in the winery?Wikipedia, "Amarone"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli, Veneto
Which grape is the base of Chianti?Wikipedia, "Chianti"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Tuscany
Which grape makes Prosecco?Wikipedia, "Prosecco"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Italy: Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli, Veneto
Spain and Portugal 8
Cava must be made by which method?Wikipedia, "Cava (Spanish wine)"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spain: Catalonia
Port comes from the valley of which river?Wikipedia, "Port wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Portugal
Rías Baixas is known for white wine from which grape?Wikipedia, "Rías Baixas DO"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spain: Galicia
Rueda is known for white wine from which grape?Wikipedia, "Rueda DO"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spain: Castilla y León
Vinho Verde is a wine region of which country?Wikipedia, "Vinho Verde"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Portugal
What is llicorella, the soil of Priorat?Wikipedia, "Priorat DOQ"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spain: Catalonia
Which grape leads red Rioja?Wikipedia, "Rioja DOCa"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spain: La Rioja
White Rioja is based on which grape?Wikipedia, "Rioja DOCa"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spain: La Rioja
Germany and Austria 9
Eiswein is made from grapes in what condition?Wikipedia, "Ice wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Germany: Wine Law
German quality wine (Qualitätswein) comes from how many defined regions, called Anbaugebiete?Wikipedia, "German wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Germany: Wine Law
In the Wachau, which term marks the ripest category of wine?Wikipedia, "Wachau wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Austria
Spätburgunder is the German name for which grape?Wikipedia, "German wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Germany
The Wachau's vineyards overlook which river?Wikipedia, "Wachau wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Austria
What does Trocken mean on a German wine label?Wikipedia, "German wine classification"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Germany: Label Terms
Which grape is Germany best known for?Wikipedia, "German wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Germany
Which Prädikat comes from the ripest grapes?Wikipedia, "German wine classification"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Germany: Wine Law
Which white grape is Austria best known for?Wikipedia, "Austrian wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Austria
North America 10
A United States wine labeled with an AVA needs what share of its grapes from that area?27 CFR 4.25, Appellations of origin; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: California, Wine Law
A United States wine named for one grape variety needs at least what share of that grape?27 CFR 4.23, Varietal (grape type) labeling; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: California, Wine Law
A vintage-dated United States wine with an AVA on the label needs what share of grapes from that year?27 CFR 4.27, Vintage wine; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: California, Wine Law
The Carneros AVA lies in which two counties?27 CFR 9.32, Los Carneros; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: California, North Coast
Most of Canada's ice wine comes from which province?Wikipedia, "Ice wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: Canada
Oregon's Willamette Valley is best known for which red grape?Wikipedia, "Oregon wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: Pacific Northwest
The Paso Robles AVA lies in which county?27 CFR 9.84, Paso Robles; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: California, Central Coast
Stags Leap District, Oakville and Rutherford are AVAs of which county?27 CFR 9.117, Stags Leap District; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: California, North Coast
Which mountains put Washington's Columbia Valley in a rain shadow?Wikipedia, "Washington wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: Pacific Northwest
Who showed that Vitis vinifera could survive the winters of New York's Finger Lakes?Wikipedia, "New York wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), North America: New York State
Southern Hemisphere 9
Central Otago, on New Zealand's South Island, is known for which red grape?Wikipedia, "New Zealand wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), New Zealand
Coonawarra, in South Australia, is best known for which red grape?Wikipedia, "Coonawarra wine region"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Australia
In Chile, Carmenère vines were long mistaken for which other Bordeaux grape?Wikipedia, "Carménère"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), South America: Chile
Pinotage is a red grape created in which country?Wikipedia, "Pinotage"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), South Africa
Which grape is Argentina's signature red?Wikipedia, "Argentine wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), South America: Argentina
Which grape is planted most widely in Australia?Wikipedia, "Australian wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Australia
Which province makes most of Argentina's wine?Wikipedia, "Argentine wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), South America: Argentina
Which region's Sauvignon Blanc is New Zealand best known for?Wikipedia, "New Zealand wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), New Zealand
Why are most Chilean vines ungrafted?Wikipedia, "Chilean wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), South America: Chile
Sparkling, sweet and fortified wines 9
A sparkling wine labeled Crémant is made how?Wikipedia, "Sparkling wine production"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), World Sparkling Wines: Label Terms
Tokaji Aszú is made from grapes in what condition?Wikipedia, "Tokaji"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Hungary
What is flor?Consejo Regulador Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, "Fino"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Fortified Wines: Winemaking, Sherry
What sets Madeira apart in its making?Wikipedia, "Madeira wine"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Fortified Wines: Winemaking, Madeira
When is Sherry fortified?Consejo Regulador Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, "Fortification"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Fortified Wines: Winemaking, Sherry
Which is the main grape of Sherry?Wikipedia, "Sherry"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Fortified Wines
Which of these Champagne label terms marks the driest wine?Wikipedia, "Champagne"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), France: Champagne, Style
Which step of the Champagne method removes the sediment from the bottle?Wikipedia, "Champagne"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), World Sparkling Wines: Traditional Method
Why is Port sweet?Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto, "Port Wines: The Winemaking"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Fortified Wines: Winemaking, Port
Beer, sake and spirits 9
Ales are fermented with which kind of yeast?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Beer: Ingredients, Yeast
Bourbon must be made from a mash of at least 51% which grain?27 CFR 5.143, Whisky; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spirits: Whisk(e)y
Scotch whisky must mature in oak casks for at least how long?The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009, regulation 3; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spirits: Whisk(e)y
Tequila is made from which plant?Wikipedia, "Tequila"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Spirits: Agave-based Spirits
What does junmai mean on a sake label?Wikipedia, "Sake"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Sake: Classification
What does koji do in sake brewing?Wikipedia, "Sake"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Sake: Ingredients
Which ingredient gives beer its bitterness?Brewers Association, CraftBeer.com Beer Glossary; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Beer: Ingredients
Which of these beers is a lager?Wikipedia, "Pilsner"; outline: CMS-A Curriculum Guide (August 2023), Beer: Styles
Wine service 5
After the host approves the wine, in which order are the guests served?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Hospitality and Service Standards (January 2023)
From which side of the guest is beverage service performed?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Hospitality and Service Standards (January 2023)
How should cork-finished table wines be stored?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Hospitality and Service Standards (January 2023)
In wine service, who is the host?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Hospitality and Service Standards (January 2023)
Which is correct when opening sparkling wine?Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, Hospitality and Service Standards (January 2023)
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the Introductory Level 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 the exam content list of its Introductory Sommelier Course Guide (https://www.mastersommeliers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Introductory-Sommelier-Course-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 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 level 1 sommelier practice test follows the published curriculum of the Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.
Read the full guide
Grapes, places and styles
The owner's course guide lists what the exam leans on, starting with wine law, the grape of each appellation and the style of each appellation. Most questions here test one such link, region by region.
What the exam leaves out
The course guide says students are not tested on wine tasting, on performing service or on memorizing vintages. Our service questions stay with the basics of the published service standards, and none asks a serving temperature.
Maps and labels
The real exam also shows maps and wine labels. This page is text only, so find each region on a map as you go.
Learn each appellation as a pair: its grape and its style. Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc, Vouvray is Chenin Blanc, Barolo is Nebbiolo.
Keep the fortified wines apart by one fact: Port is fortified during fermentation, Sherry after it.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the Introductory Sommelier exam?
The owner describes 70 multiple choice questions, four answer options each, to finish in 45 minutes. It is closed book. In person it ends the two-day course; online it is taken with a live proctor.
What is the passing score for the level 1 sommelier exam?
60 percent, which is 42 of the 70 questions. Each right answer is worth one point. Students who pass may sit the Certified Sommelier Examination.
Is this the official Introductory Sommelier practice exam?
No. The owner publishes a practice exam of its own in its Resource Library. Every question here was written for this site from the public curriculum guide and public sources, and none is taken from the owner's materials.
What comes after the Introductory Sommelier exam?
The Certified Sommelier Examination, one day of tasting, theory and service. Its theory goes deeper into the same subjects. Practice for it is on our Certified Sommelier practice test.