Introductory Sommelier Questions with Guaranteed Accurate Answers

What happens to white wines as they age? - correct answer They become darker and take on brown tones What color indicates a "youthful" red wine? - correct answer Purple (sometimes with bluish tinges) What are tartrates? - correct answer Tartaric acid in a crystalline form. Often found in white wines from Germany & Austria. Can also be found in red wines. These are not harmful and do not indicate a flaw in the wine. What is the purpose of swirling a glass of wine? - correct answer To volatize the esters, releasing aroma & flavor elements in the wine Smell accounts for what % of taste? - correct answer 85% What does TCA smell like? - correct answer Musty cardboard, wet basement. If a wine smells like nail polish, what is the flaw? - correct answer Volatile acidity What is botrytis cinerea? - correct answer AKA "Noble rot", a useful mold that dehydrates the grapes. Used in the production of the finest dessert wines in the world, notably from Sauternes. In general, high alcohol and ripe, tropical fruit indicate a wine from where? - correct answer New World regions with warm climates. Earthy notes, higher acidity and minerality generally indicates wines from where? - correct answer Old World regions with cooler climates.