Certified Sommelier Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Certified Sommelier Exam with multiple choice questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations to master wine knowledge and tasting skills. Ace your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which region serves as the base appellation for the Rhone wines?

Cotes-du-Rhone
Vacqueyras
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Beaumes-de-Venise

The correct answer is: Cotes-du-Rhone

The Côtes-du-Rhône serves as the base appellation for Rhône wines because it encompasses a broad region that includes various towns and villages and allows for a wide range of wine styles produced within these boundaries. This appellation provides the foundation from which other specific AOCs (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is renowned for its full-bodied red wines, or smaller regions like Vacqueyras and Beaumes-de-Venise, which are known for their distinct characteristics, derive. The Côtes-du-Rhône designation is important as it signifies a level of quality while highlighting the diverse terroirs found within the Rhône Valley. This broader classification plays a crucial role in understanding the hierarchy of Rhône wines, making it pivotal for anyone preparing for the Certified Sommelier Exam.