Disclaimer: These are NOT official or past Master Sommelier questions. Just general theory I used to prepare for my exam.
10 years ago when I was studying for the Master Sommelier exam, I wrote down thousands of practice questions. I wasn't into flashcards. Instead, I had them on EXCEL sheets and WORD documents so I could upload to my mobile phone.
Did you know you can enable speak selection on iphone, ipad and iMac? Have your phone ask you wine questions!!
These questions are probably outdated and have many misspellings. Don't judge.
I recommend you write your own practice questions, putting yourself in the guests' shoes. What would they ask?
Master Sommelier Prep Questions
What is Torcolato, where is it made?
What is Saporavy?
What is Grand Vidure?
What is Eutypa Dieback?
Where is the Wahluke slope located?
What are port tongs used for?
What is Saigné?
Name the satellites of St. Emilion
Name 2 producers of Single Malt of: Islay, Speyside, Campeltown
Name five villages of Cotes du Rhone
Name 2 Ier Crus of Volnay, Flagey-Echezeaux and Santenay
What is Ausbruch
What are the 3 districts of Penedes
Name 3 AVA’s of Sierra Foothills
Where would you find the Cote de Sezanne
Where would you find wines produced from Schiava and how would you describe them
Name five producers of quality Sherry
Name one district of the Breede River Valley Region
Describe the regulations for production of QBA in Germany
Describe the wines of the Coteaux de Tricastin
Where would you find the Okanagan Valley
What are the permitted grape varieties for Alsace Cremant
Name the smallest Anbaugebiete in Germany
Name the AOC’s of Calvados
What is the Cima Corgo
Desbribe the location and wine for the Cotes de Duras
Name the five classifications of sherry before going to solera
Name the five viticultural regions of Chile from North to South
What is macerations pelliculaire
Name five producers using the Stags Leap AVA
Where does the sediment in old wines come from
What is a mash tun
Name three communes in the Montagne-de-Reims
Name five VDQS region in France
What is Pegeage
What is Remontage
What is Myoage
Name seven communes of St. Veran
What wines are made in the Coteaux du Lyonnais- Where is it located
What is PLC- What is its purpose
Chateau de Bachen is a notable producer in the VDQS region
This ancient AC region is the eastern extension of Entre-Deux-Mers
This is the southernmost AC in the Southwest Region of France
This AC share the same geography as Madiran
In what department would you find the Corbieres AC
What recently promoted AC is the western extension of Minervois
Val d’Orbeau, Domain de L’Hortus, Mas Julien & St. Martin de la Garrigue are located in what AC
The Rhone River forms part of the eastern border of this AC
These two southern most AC’s share the same geography
This small AC sits in the hills above Nice
This AC lies in the center of Provence and is named for a French Department
The vin rouge from the AC must contain a minimum of 50 % Mourvedre
This hilltop village making high-quality rouge and rose received its own AC in 1995.
Chateau Simone covers three quarters of the area in this AC just east of Aix-en-Provence.
Name the largest and smallest of the Grand Crus of Gevrey-Chambertin
Name three Ier Crus of Gevrey-Chambertin
In what year was Le Grand Rue elevated
Name at least 3 of the 5 communes of the Cotes du Nuits-Villages
Which is the larger of the two Grand Crus of Chambolle-Musigny
Name two Ier Crus of Vosne Romanee
From North to South, list the AOC communes comprising the Cotes du Nuits
Where is Perchament and what type of wine is made there
Identify the five AC’s of Bergerac
There are 43 communes in Graves. Name 7 estates in the Graves classification
What year did Pessac-Leognan become an AOC
What is the minimum % of SB required for making white Pessac
What is the cepage of Ch. Haut Brion
List 5 other producers of Chateauneuf du Pape besides Beaucastel and Vieux Telegraphe
What is the minimum % of Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Savignon combined required in Rose de Loire AC
What grape and method of harvest is used to producte Coteaux de l’Aubance
Sancere is on the west bank or east bank of River Loire? Pouilly Fume?
Name the five villages of Pouilly-Fuisse
Name the two Maconnaise other than Pouilly-Fuisse in the village of Pouilly
Which Maconnais AOC overlaps the Beaujolais district and which Beaujolais Cru does it encompass
What grapes are used to produce Macon-Villages
Name the newest Maconnais AOC
Name the department emcompassing the Cotes Chalonnaise
What is another name for the Cotes Chalonnaise
Which AOC is just south of Mercurey
Which Cotes Chalonnaise AOC produces white wines only
What is the maximum amount of chardonnay allowed in Aligote de Bourzeron AOC
Alsace lies on what latitude
Name the 2 French Departments of Alsace
What are the two varieties of Muscat found in Alsace
What is Klevener de Heiligenstein
How many Grand Cru vineyards were established in 1983. How many exist today
Trimbach’s famous Riesling Clos Ste. Hume comes from what village
Name the only two Ier cru vineyards in Chablis which face Southwest
What are the key differences between a Chablis Grand Crus and Petit Chablis
Where is La Moutonne
What is the name of a traditional Chablis barrel and its size
Name the single village wine made from Sauvignon. What is its classification
How many Ier Crus vineyards exist in Chablis, Name at least five.
Name the Five communes of Margaux (Hint … CLAMS)
Give three AOCS that are satellites of Pommerol and St Emilion but do not have the ending of St. Emilion.
What is the exact location of Blaye, explain its AOC.
Give the growth and commune of the following Chateau: Dauzac, La Lagune, Dufort-Vivons.
99. Name the AOC’s of the following Chateau: Clarke, Hortevie, View Chateau Certan, Larmande, Labegurce
100.What year was Graves classified, what year did the classification change
101.In 1989 what changed for Cognac
102.Name 7 communes of the Coteaux de Layon Villages and the which side of the river they are on.
103.Name 2 grand crus of Sauternes
104.Where are Close des Ormes, Amoreuses, and Clos de Ducs
105.What is Rasteau
106.What are the grapes of St. Peray
107.What was the change in 1990 for Blanquette de Limoux
108.What type of wine is Jurancon, where is is located
109.What is weissherbst and where is it made
110.Name 2 pruning techniques used for champagne
111.Name four grand crus in the Montagne de Reims
112.What style of wine is made in assmunhausen
113.What is the last of the first press of Champagne called
114.What is passetoutgrains
115.Where is the Puget Sound
116.What AVA’s are shared by Oregon and WA
117.What is the % of varietal in Oregon, % for Cabernet Sauvignon
118.What is the only hybrid allowed in Canada
119.What is Boberg
120.Where is Suhindol
121.Where is Mavrodaphne made
122.Where is Prosessoco made
123.Where is Concha Y Toro made
124.What is the oeschle for SGN Gerwurztraminer
125.Name the two grapes disallowed in Cremant d’Alsace
126.What is Vin Jaune and where is it produced.
127.Name four regions on the south island of New Zealand
128.Where is Christchurch
129.What is Ude Libertas
130.What are the regions of Ribatejo
131.What are the sub-zones of the Duoro
132.What is Mirabelle
133.Where is Ramisco grown
134.What rive is the Cotes de Roannaises on and what grape is used in it.
135.Name the red grape of Rieully
136.Where is Loupiac exactly
137.Where is the Gros Plant VDQS exactly
138.What is the commune of Pouilly-Fuisse
139.What is the size of a gonchi and a putton
140.What is the size of a traditional burgundy barrel and what is it called
141.What is Collioure
142.What is the law governing NV champagne
143.What is the 5th German Wine Law
144.What are the regions of SE Australia
145.What is the northernmost region in Germany
146.Where is Montee de Tonnnere and St. Criox du Mont
147.What is fleurburiningug
148.Name the rivers these villages are located on: Assmunhausen, Trittenheim, Saale-Unstrut.
149.What is the northernmost region in SA
150.What year did the Wine of Origin begin in SA
151.What is the most widely planted varietal in SA
152.Name five regions of Victoria
153.What is the name of the first estate used for Grange Hermitage
154.Where is Kumeu River made
155.What is Amaretto made from
156.Name 3 Ier crus of Savigny-les-Beaunes
157.What are the grand crus of Morey Ste. Denis
158.What is Cour Cheverny and what region is it in
159.Name the primary and secondary towns of Rioja
160.Name the three soils in Sherry
161.Name the regions of Armagnac
162.What two regions combine to make Fine Cognac
163.Name the grand crus in the Cote de Blanc
164.What is the max allowed quantity in the first pressing of champagne
165.Name the DO’s of the Algarve
166.Where exactly is the Cotes de Meliton
167.Name the three grapes allowed in Tokaji
168.Name the AVA of Mendocino
169.Name three wineries from Lake
170.What is Colheita, how does it differ from an aged Tawny
171.What is IPR
172.Where is Chalone made
173.Name the beriechs of the Nahe
174.What is Grand Vidure
175.What are the regions of the central valley
176.Why do you malt barley
177.Where is the Waluke slope
178.What is the grape used for Maury
179.What is Arneis
180.What is Carmignano, Where is it made
181.What style of wine is made in Quincy
182.Name the departments of the Lanquedoc-Roussillon
183.What region are these producers located: Rayne-Vingneau, Millet, Trotanoy
184.Where is Lagavulin located
185.Where is Cornas located, exactly
186.What is Edelzwicer
187.What is the difference between Kabinetts in Germany and Austria
188.What is the Bordeaux Mixture
189.What is Eutypiose
190.What are the grapes used for Orvieto
191.What is the synonym for Chasselas in Switzerland
192.What does CM stand for on a bottle of Champange
193.Where is Bouzeron
194.Where is Setubal and what kind of wines are produced there
195.Name four groups/wines of Madiera
196.What is Jalle de Brevil
197.Name two Mexican AVA
198.Name the grape varietal and region for Santa Maddelina DOC
199.Where is St. Macarie
200.Name the villages that comprise the Cote de Nuits-Villages
201.Name two sub regions of the Oltrepo Pavese
202.Name the DOC’s of Liguria
203.What is dornfelder
204.What are the three towns comprising the Sherry Triangle
205.What isdoble pasta
206.DOC’s of Molise
207.What is Reichensteiner
208.Name 3 AltembergGrand Crus from Alsace
209.What is Cotnari
210.Name the varietal producing and off dry white from Eger
211.What is Ripasso
212.Name the AOC’s of Jura
213.What is the famous wine from Styria
214.Name the Grosslagen for Ruwe
215.Grosslagen for the whole of Saar
216.What is Peronsopera
217.Name the AVA’s of WA
218.What is Edel Latos
219.Name the dry white appellations for Bergerac
220.Name the AVA’s of Long Island
221.Name the 16 villages of the Cotes du Rhone Village
222.Wine villages of Ruwer
223.Trellissing system used in Jurancon
224.Champagne Grand Crus elevated in 1985
225.What is Smaragd
226.Cote de Beaune Ier Cru Monopoles. Name them
227.Grape Varietal of Nausa
228.Name the growing region east of Auckland
229.What is the town name which is the center of Cava making in Penedes
230.Name three Ier crus of Pommard
231.Grape varietal of Corsica
232.Name two Texas Wineries
233.Name three Greek regions where Retsina TA is made
234.What is Fondillon
235.What is St. Raphael
236.What is a Horse’s Neck
237.What is an Orange Blossum
238.What is a Cordial Medoc
239.What is Cynar
240.What is Glayva
241.What is a Parfait Amour
242.What is Suze
243.Name four Single Quinta Ports
244.What is the meaning of Engarrafado
245.Name a chateauof Listrac
246.What is the difference between an Americano and a Negroni
247.What is a Fio d’Alphi
248.Name the communes of Barbaresco
249.What is Autolysis
250.What is Prise de Mousse
251.What is Poignetage
252.Name five Wienbaugebiet for Deutsher Tafelwein
253.What is Picolit
254.Name tow villages that may append their name to Cotes de Roussillon-Village
255.What is Seyssel, What is Crepy
256.What was the first DOCG in Italy
257.Grapes of Jura
258.Two rivers which confluence to produce botrytis in Sauternes
259.Six AVA’s of New York State
260.Eight Communes of Chianti Classico
261.Five Communes of Barolo
262.Largest AC in Lanquedoc Rousillon
263.What is a Clavelin used for
264.Name five communes of Sauternes
265.What is a bonne chauffe
266.What is Dunder
267.Name the Rivers on Fronsac’s Borders
268.Name the AVA’s of Sna Joaquin Valley
269.Name the AVA’s of South Central Coast
270.Aging Requirements for Rioja Reserva
271.Four zones of Lambrusco
272.Six zones for Fruili-Venezia Guilia
273.AC’s of the Savioe
274.Wine villages of the Pfalz
275.What wines are produced in Arbois
276.Grapes in Franciacorta DOCG
277.DOC’s of Latium
278.River in Sachem
279.Famous soil type in Saale-Unstrut & Franconia
280.DOC’s in Apulia
281.What is Viti
282.What is Oeil de Perdrix
283.Name the sub districts of Valtellina
284.Minimum single vineyard % for Austria
285.Major grape varietal for Rueda
286.Name four cockatils using Angostura Bitters
287.Name three Ier crus for Volnay
288.AVA’s of New Mexico
289.What is Ratafia
290.AVA’s of Arizona
291.White grapes used in Chateauneuf du Pape
292.Grand Crus of Montague de Reims
293.Name the five districts of Navarra
294.Chinon is on what river
295.White grapes used in Port
296.Two AC’s of Corsica
297.Brazil’s largest wine producing area
298.What is Breton
299.What is Cot
300.What is a Piece
301.Most widely planted red varietal in Argentina
302.Name AVA’s in Sonoma ending in Valley
303.Where is Wurzberg
304.Scientific name for Phylloxera
305.What is Chloris
306.Name the 10 Cru Beaujolais from North to South
307.DOCG of Umbria
308.Southern most grape growing region in Argentina
309.Declared Port vintages from 1981-1994
310.Name two Sauternes and two Barsac producers
311.Name four aperitifs other than cocktails, sparkling or still wine
312.Name the distillate stages for Cognac
313.What are the four components fo Sake
314.Grapes for Frascatti
315.Name the soil and grapes for Bairrada
316.Describe the viticulture practice of Colares
317.What grape is used to produce Clairette de Die
318.What is the difference between an Ale and a Lager
319.Name the regions of Austria
320.Where is the King Valley, Where is the Swan Valley
321.What are feints
322.Name the declared Champagne vintageas from 1980-1995
323.How much Champagne can be produced by 4000 tons.
324.Name the top red wine vineyards of he Rheingau
325.What the 3 rose wine specialties of Germany
326.What is advocat
327.What is the ageing for LBV
328.Name 2 monpole villages in Burgundy
329.Name the white wine regions of the Northern Rhone Valley
330.Name the Mt. Range running through Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas
331.Maximum amount of Grenache allowed in Gigondas
332.Vacqueras requires minimum of 50% Grenache in its reds and roses
333.Rasteau can originate from which three villages for fortified wines
334.What is the minimum alcohol for Beaumes de Venise
335.If your traveling north on the Loire River above Touraine, which two VDQS would you encounter first.
336.What is an Almencenista
337.What is produced in Samos
338.Months for aging vintage Champagne
339.Name an estate on the Saar, Village, Mosel
340.German region closest to Alsace city of Rihrquist
341.Sparkling wine from Carcossone
342.Vin de Liquer from Armagnac
343.Where are the Balaton Vineyards
344.What are the grapes of St. Peray
345.Where are Clos de Ormes, Amoreuses, and Clos de Ducs
346.Name two pruning techniques used for champagnes
347.What are the major grapes red and white of Valdepenas
348.What does Vermouth take its name from
349.Where would you find Vinho Rosado
350.Name the 5 general wine growing areas of CA
351.What counties make up the North Coast
352.What area of Argentina produces some of the best cabernets
353.Name the six areas of Vinho Verde
354.What is Espumosa
355.What does Rioja Joven mean
356.Name a DOC from the Marches
357.Name a DOC made from the original Zinfandel grape
358.Alentejo VO produces mainly red wines What are the districts.
359.What Australia Region was created to allow blending across states
360.What is the highest classification of wine quality in Bulgaria called.
361.What areas of England have the majority of vineyards
362.Name a popular white and red grape from the CIS
363.Where is Chateau Carras
364.What river lends a moderating influence to the vineyards of Barbaresco
365.Define Chiaretto
366.Name the DOC designations for Prosecco
367.What are the minimum standards for Soave Classico Superior
368.What is the name of Barolo’s famous soils and why is it called that
369.What DOC is Angeo Gaja now using for his famous single vineyard wine and why
370.Name three crus of Barolo
371.Name the five villages of Barolo
372.What large DOC region bordering Lombardia produces dry whites from Erbaluce and reds from a blend of Uva Rara, Nebbiolo, Vespolina and Croatina
373.Name The three Valpolicella Classico Valleys
374.Valpolicella must be made with at least 80% Corvina. What other grapes can be used in the final blend.
375.Name the three bodies of water that influence the Veneto Region.
376.Name the key producer and grape for Breganze
377.Mount Grappa is located in what regions and DOC
378.Name the two autonomous provinces of Trentino-Alto Adige
379.Define Pergola
380.Alto Adige produces the fine velvety style Scuro and Dunkel from what Grape variety.
381.Name the four sub varieties of Schiava
382.Name the village where gewürztraminer originated
383.What DOC encompasses all of Trentino and Alto Adige
384.Define Brizner
385.The winery Santa Margherita comes from which DOC
386.Which DOC in the FVG procues the largest volume of wines
387.What is Schioppettino
388.The DOC’s Colli Oriental and Collio can credit their soils to which four rivers.
389.What is the % to define a true Perry
390.What is Ughetta
391.What is Saporavy
392.What is a Doppler
393.What is the difference between an Austrian and German Kabinett
394.What is the VDP
395.Name the grape varieties used in Liebframulch
396.Name two DOC’s of Calabria
397.Why was Baco Real DOC created
398.What are the ageing requirements for white Rioja & Reserva
399.What is Chateau Y
400.In 1980 the first DOCG was announced………
401.What are the parameter of the Meritage Association
402.Name the regions of Galacia
403.Name a Beriche of Herssiche Bergstrasse
404.How many years does it take before a California winery can turn organic
405.Name the subzones of Mendoza
406.What is a Romer used for
407.Name seven villages of Cotes du Rhone
408.What is the minimum oeschle for SGN Gewurztraminer
409.What is Vespolina
410.Name a producer in the Waluke Slope
411.What is Sifone
412.What are the three AC of Calvados
413.What are the aging requirements for Cava
414.What is Debourdage
415.What is the Treaty of Methuen of 1703
416.What does Bricco mean
417.Name three Berieche of the Rheinhessen
418.What is the river which runs through Chablis
419.What are the optimum temperatures for fermentation for white/red
420.Name the red and white grapes allowed for Rioja
421.What does Prix de Sortie mean
422.Where is Pemberton
423.What is the major difference between French and American Oak
424.What is Paisslerage
425.Name the subzones of Nelson
426.Name four regions of Limestone Coast
427.What river is the village Eltsville located
428.What is the minimum temperature for picking Eiswein
429.What are the nine factors used to rate a Porto vineyard
430.Name the seven Chianti subregions
431.What is a Cartouche
432.Minimum ABV % for Chateauneuf du Pape and Gignondas
433.Where is Gambellara
434.What are the aging requirements for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Rsva
435.What is the coolest district of Chianti
436.Give three reasons why canopy management is so important in New Zealand
437.Where is Beaumes de Venise located exactly in Southern Rhone
438.Where is Walker Bay
439.Where is Mossel Bay
440.What WO does the Orange River flow through other than the Orange River
441.What is the Cote Chalonnaise only white wine region
442.Where is Cour Cheverny located, what type of wine and what grapes
443.Where is Bouzeron located
444.Name the communes of the following: Clos l’Eglise, Fieuzal, Lamothe, Le Mons
445.Name three main viticultural regions of Chile and two subregions of one of those regions.
446.Best area for port and the town it is in.
447.Name two subzones and the main grape of Rias Biaxas
448.What type of wine is made in Cerons and what is the appellation
449.Name two weinbauregions in Austria
450.Where are the following villages: Diedishiem, Forst, Duckheim,
451.What is the Oeschle level for Riesling auslese in Mosel
452.What it the grape varietal used for making quality wines of Franken
453.What drives Autovinification
454.What is Bagaciera
455.What is the grape of Bucelas
456.Where is Pipers River
457.Where is Coal River
458.What are the soils of Sherry, Connawarra, Saumur
459.Name the quality port vintages from 1952-1962
460.Name the frappe of Coteaux L’Aubance
461.Where is Carinena
462.Where is the Clare Valley
463.Name the main grape of Jurancon
464.Where are the following Premier Crus: Aux Malconsorts, Mont Luisnats,
465.What is the difference between Klevener and Kevener
466.What is the northernmost Grand Cru of Cite de Beaune
467.What is Dorin
468.Where is Wellington exactly on the map
469.Where is Nelson exactly on the map
470.What and where is Mas a Plana
471.What is the minimum temperature for pressing ice wine in Canada
472.What river do the following villages sit on:Eitelsbach, Wehlen, Bad
473.List three AVA’s of Mendocino
474.Where is Chalone AVA
475.Where is Boberg and what style of wines are they know for
476.Aside from Tulbagh and Constantia, list the other four coastal regions
477.What is the Italian designation for Vin de Pays
478.What is a Hybrid
479.Other than the Highlands and Lowlands, name tow other areas for Scotch
480.Where exactly is Chateau Tahbilk
481.Where are the following GI’s : Swan , King
482.Name four Grand Cru Villages from Cote de Blancs
483.What is the name of the brandy added in port production andratio/ must.
484.What is Taurasi
485.What is Ouzo
486.Where and what is Fendant
487.Where is St. Criox du Mont and where exactly is it located
488.Where is the Coteaux du Loir and give its AOCS
489.Where exactly is Lauceston
490.What are the grape varieties use in Vin Santo, describe production
491.What does Millerandage mean
492.What does the term INAO indicate
493.What does IGT stand for
494.What port house does Vargellas belong to
495.Name two regions in Tasmania
496.Explain Brouillis in Cogac production
497.What wine is produced outside Carcassone
498.What is jerepigo
499.Name 3 subregions of Valtellina Superiore
500.What is the capacity of a Bathalazar
501.What is Ausbruch
502.Name the GI’s of Western Australia
503.Name three “Satellites” of Pouilly Fuisse
504.Name four “Zones” of South Australia.