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Master Sommelier Theory 2025 > Switzerland > Flashcards

Switzerland Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

Major Wine Producing Regions Switzerland

A

French speaking:
Valais
Vaud
Geneva
Neuchâtel / Three Lakes

Ticino
(italian speaking)

German Switzerland (Deutschschweiz)

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2
Q

Main white grapes in Valais?

A

Fendant (Chasselas)

also: Petite Arvine, Johannisberg (Silvaner), Malvoisie (Pinot Gris), Heida (Païen, Savagnin Blanc), Chardonnay, Ermitage (Marsanne), Muscat, Humagne, Pinot Blanc, Amigne, Viognier, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau

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3
Q

Red grapes in Valais?

A

Pinot Noir*

also: Gamay, Syrah, Humagne Rouge, Cornalin, Diolinoir, Merlot, Gamaret, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garanoir, Cabernet Franc, Ancellotta, Carminoir, Galotta, Durize, Eyholzer Roter

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4
Q

What is Dôle?

A

red wine from Valais, Switzerland. Min. 85% combined Pinot Noir and Gamay, plus Garanoir, Gamaret, Ancellotta, Diolinoir, Carminoir, Merlot, Syrah

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5
Q

Mountains in Valais?

A

Protected by the Alps- driest winegrowing region in Switzerland

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6
Q

Switzerland red Grapes

A

Pinot Noir
Gamay
Merlot
Cornalin

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7
Q

Switzerland white Grapes

A

Chasselas*
Chardonnay
Sylvaner (Johannisberg)
Amigne of Vétroz
Petit Arvine
Müller Thurgau
Rèze

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8
Q

Traditional AOCs Vaud

A

Dorin (chasselas)
Salvagnin - blend of Gamay and PN

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9
Q

Vaud influencing factors

A

on the shores of Lake Geneva

borders Jura

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10
Q

Vaud most important grape? Synonym?

A

Chasselas (Dorin)

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11
Q

Vaud regional appellations

A

Chablais
La Côte
Lavaux
Vully
Bonvillars
Côtes de l’Orge

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12
Q

What is the warm, dry wind in Valais?

A

Fohn

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13
Q

What is Vin de Glacier?

A

Swiss wine made from indigenous Rèze grape. Maderized wine stored in high altitude soleras

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14
Q

What river runs through Valais?

A

on banks of the Rhône River- the Rhône’s northernmost appellation

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15
Q

Where is Ticino? Major grape?

A

Southern Switzerland, borders Lombardia. Merlot.

Mild mediterranean climate, rainiest AND sunniest region of Switzerland.

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16
Q

What are the grand crus of Vaud? Where are they?

A

both in Lavaux AOC:

Dézaley AOC, Calamin AOC

17
Q

What are the parent grapes of Müller Thurgau?

A

Riesling x Madeline Royale

created by Hermann Müller from the Swiss Canton of Thurgau in 1882 at the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute in Germany.

18
Q

Swiss red grape crossings

A

Gamaret: Gamay x Reichensteiner
Garanoir: Gamay x Reichensteiner
Diolinoir: Robin Noir x Pinot Noir
Carminoir: Cabernet Sauvignon x Pinot Noir

19
Q

Where does the Rhine River start and end?

A

The river begins in the Swiss canton of Graubünden in the southeastern Swiss Alps, and empties into the North Sea. High in the St-Gotthard Massif

It forms part of the Swiss-Liechtenstein, Swiss-Austrian, and Swiss-German borders. After that the Rhine defines much of the Franco-German border, after which it flows in a mostly northerly direction through the German Rhineland. Finally in Germany, the Rhine turns into a predominantly westerly direction and flows into the Netherlands where it eventually empties into the North Sea.

It drains an area of 9,973 sq km and its name derives from the Celtic Rēnos.

20
Q

Where does the Rhône River start and end?

A

The river’s source is the Rhône Glacier, at the east edge of the Swiss canton of Valais. It empties into the Mediterranean, near Arles in france. High in the St-Gotthard Massif

21
Q

Important cantons in Deutschschweiz/ German Switzerland? Main grapes?

A

Graubunden (Gantenbein is here)
Thurgau
Aargau
Zurich

PN*, Chardonnay, Müller Thurgau

22
Q

What are the 3 lakes in Three Lakes, Switzerland?

A

Morat (Murten)
Bienne (Biel)
Neuchatel

To maximize the vines’ exposure to sunshine, they are mostly planted on the northern banks of the lakes, where the south-easterly aspect brings them warming rays all through the morning and early afternoon

23
Q

What is the name of the rosé that originated in Neuchatel? What grape is it made from?

A

Oeil-de-Perdrix: Rosé of Pinot Noir

24
Q

Neuchatel main grapes?

A

White: Chasselas*, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Müller Thurgau, Gewürztraminer.

Red: Pinot Noir*, Dunkelfelder, Galotta, Gamaret, Garanoir

25
Q

What does “non filtré “ on a bottle of wine from Neuchatel indicate?

A

100% Chasselas. Released on the third Wednesday in January at an official tasting in the city’s town hall. Bottled without filtering the yeast.

26
Q

What is Blanc de Perdrix?

A

a still blanc de pinot noir, a specialty of Neuchatel, Switzerland

27
Q

AOCs of Neuchatel

A

Neuchatel AOC
Cheyres AOC
Lac de Bienne / Bierlesee AOC
Jura AOC

28
Q

What are bisses?

A

steep channels of mountain water used for irrigation since the middle ages in Valais, where the summers are very dry

29
Q

Describe the climate and geography of Valais?

A

Most vineyards are on south-east facing slopes of the Rhône valley. vineyards planted between 460 and 760m - (1500-2500ft).

Fohn wind- keeps the area warm and dry

30
Q

How many grand cru are there in Valais? Name 3

A

12 total

Fully
Sierre
Vetroz

31
Q

What is vins du glacier?

A

traditional dessert wine from Valais, Switzerland, specifically from Sierre. Originally made from Reze, and now made from Chasselas, Malvoisie and Ermitage (Marsanne)

similar to solera: wine is poured into a large, very old barrel, that is never emptied. it is topped up yearly, and never bottled. wine is oxidatively aged and has sherry-like character

32
Q

What are the sweetness levels for Amigne de Vetroz?

A

Amigne de Vétroz Sweetness Indicators (required from the 2005 vintage forward):

One bee (Sèche/Trocken): 0-8 g/l residual sugar

Two bees (Légèrement Douce/Halb Süss): 9-25 g/l of residual sugar

Three bees (Douce/Süss): 25+ g/l of residual sugar

33
Q

What are the swiss terms for late harvest and air dried grapes?

A

Flétrie - late harvest

Passerillé - air dried

34
Q

List the AOCs of Vaud

A

Lavaux
La Cote
Chablais
Vully
Bonvillars
Côtes de l’Orbe

35
Q

Main grapes in Vaud?

A

majority of vineyards plated to Chasselas

also: PN, Gamay

36
Q

Describe the geography of Vaud

A

Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) to south- moderates and warms

Jura mountains to west- forms border with France

37
Q

junge schweiz neue winzer

A

“young switzerland new winemakers” created in German Switzerland. Gantenbein, Donatsch, Studach

38
Q

Most planted Canton Switzerland

A

Valais 5100 ha
Vaud 3882 ha
Geneva 1340 ha
Ticino 1028 ha
Neuchâtel 605 ha

39
Q

Swiss Canton making more white than red

A

Vaud

Master Sommelier Theory 2025 (58 decks)

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