CSW Wine Laws & Service Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under EU wine law, which category represents the highest tier of quality wines with geographic indication?
- Table wine (Vin de Table)
- Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
- Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) (Correct answer)
- Varietal Wine (Vin de Cépage)
Correct answer: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) is the highest EU wine category, equivalent to France's AOC and Italy's DOC/DOCG.
Question 2: When a California wine label states a specific county as its appellation, what minimum percentage of grapes must come from that county?
- 51%
- 75% (Correct answer)
- 85%
- 100%
Correct answer: 75%
For a California county appellation, at least 75% of the grapes must be sourced from that designated county.
Question 3: What is 'mise en place' as it applies to wine service?
- The process of labeling wines in the cellar
- Pre-service preparation including glasses, decanters, and tools set up before guests arrive (Correct answer)
- The legal requirement to display wine lists in restaurants
- The method of layering wines by vintage in a cellar
Correct answer: Pre-service preparation including glasses, decanters, and tools set up before guests arrive
Mise en place in wine service refers to having all necessary equipment and glassware properly arranged before service begins.
Question 4: Spain's DO (Denominación de Origen) system requires wines labeled 'Gran Reserva' to meet which minimum aging requirement for red wines?
- 12 months total aging
- 18 months in oak plus 6 months in bottle
- 24 months in oak plus 36 months in bottle (Correct answer)
- 18 months total regardless of vessel type
Correct answer: 24 months in oak plus 36 months in bottle
Spanish red Gran Reserva wines require a minimum of 24 months in oak and 36 months in bottle before release.
Question 5: Which glassware shape is most appropriate for serving aged, delicate red Burgundy wines?
- A tall, narrow flute
- A large, wide-bowled Burgundy glass (Correct answer)
- A small, tulip-shaped port glass
- A standard ISO tasting glass
Correct answer: A large, wide-bowled Burgundy glass
A large, wide-bowled Burgundy glass allows delicate Pinot Noir aromas to collect and be appreciated.
Question 6: In the US, what agency is responsible for approving wine labels before they can be sold in interstate commerce?
- FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
- USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
- TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) (Correct answer)
- FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
Correct answer: TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau)
The TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) regulates and approves all wine labels via the COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) process.
Question 7: When should a sommelier recommend decanting a young, tannic red wine?
- Only after it has been chilled to 45°F
- To aerate it and soften tannins before serving (Correct answer)
- Never—decanting is only for old wines with sediment
- Only when the wine has been cellared for at least 20 years
Correct answer: To aerate it and soften tannins before serving
Young, tannic reds benefit from decanting because exposure to air softens tannins and opens up aromas.
CSW Wine Laws & Service Techniques 3
Under EU wine law, which category represents the highest tier of quality wines with geographic indication?