This 10-question quiz reflects the type and scope of questions asked on the Intermediate Certificate Exam. If because of previous wine study or industry experience you are uncertain whether to begin with the Intermediate Course or the Advanced Course, this quiz can help you assess the breadth and depth or your wine knowledge. This quiz is only intended as a guide; if after completing the quiz you still have questions, please contact us to discuss your options.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for answers and scoring.

1. The word "Crémant" on a bottle of sparkling wine indicates the wine is
   1. dry
   2. slightly sweet
   3. made using the transfer method
   4. made using the traditional method
2. Carménère is most commonly used for
   1. spicy, brambly red wines from Chile
   2. pale garnet, herbaceous reds from Italy
   3. sweet sparkling reds from Australia
   4. fortified red wines from Portugal
3. Gamay is
   1. a quality category for vineyards
   2. a region in Southern France
   3. a grape variety used to make Beaujolais
   4. a method for making rose wines
4. Which of the following pairs of regions are famous for premium wines made from Syrah/Shiraz?
   1. Burgundy and Sancerre
   2. Orvieto and Marlborough region
   3. Hermitage and Barossa Valley region
   4. Pomerol and Saint Émilion
5. Which of the following wines is most likely to have medium sweetness?
   1. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
   2. Mosel Riesling Spätlese
   3. Fino Sherry
   4. Vinho Regional Alentejano
6. Which of the following best describes a VSOP Cognac?
   1. water-white; neutral nose and neutral flavor
   2. amber color; complex floral, fruity and woody aromas
   3. water-white; pronounced aniseed and licorice aromas
   4. amber color; peaty and medicinal aromas
7. A wine looks fine, but has a musty aroma. What is the most likely reason for this?
   1. the wine is too old
   2. the wine is affected by cork taint
   3. it is part of the character of the wine
   4. the wine has been stored in hot conditions
8. Vines with lots of large bunches of big grapes are most suitable for
   1. intensely-flavored, complex dry wines
   2. inexpensive, simple dry wines
   3. long-lived sweet wines
   4. branded wines
9. A reserve Tawny Port is
   1. golden in color, with yeasty flavors
   2. high in tannins and acidity
   3. sweet, with nutty aromas
   4. sparkling and dry in style
10. Within the Côte d'Or, wines from the very best vineyards will be indicated by which words on the label?
    1. Premier Cru
    2. Grand Cru
    3. Classico
    4. Cru Bourgeois

SCORING

Scroll down for answers.

If you answered 7 or fewer questions correctly, it is recommended that you begin your training in the Intermediate Level Course.

If you answered 8-9 questions correctly, it is your call. Some students prefer to begin their study in the Intermediate Level Course while others choose to begin in the Advanced Level Course.

If you answer 10 or more questions correctly, you should be able to successfully begin with the Advanced Level Course.

1. d
2. a
3. c
4. c
5. b
6. b
7. b
8. b
9. c
10. b

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