Certified Sommelier Practice Exam 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Mastering Sommelier Certification Success!

The term "spumante" refers specifically to fully sparkling wine, typically characterized by a significant level of effervescence due to carbonation. This classification is predominantly used in Italian wine terminology, where "spumante" distinguishes sparkling wines that undergo full fermentation in a controlled environment to develop their bubbles, such as Prosecco or Asti Spumante.

While "frizzante" also describes a type of sparkling wine, it indicates a lower level of effervescence compared to "spumante," which is why it is not the generic term used to refer to all sparkling wines. "Cava" is a specific type of sparkling wine from Spain, primarily made using the traditional method of fermentation in the bottle, which also does not encompass all sparkling wines. "Moscato" refers to a sweet wine that can be either still or sparkling, but it is not a term that generically describes sparkling wines overall.

Thus, "spumante" appropriately serves as the broader term that encompasses fully sparkling wines, making it the correct choice.