Intro Sommelier Practice Test — Free Exam Prep

Free Intro Sommelier practice test — 220+ questions across 22 wine regions. Full Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Sommelier exam prep guide from an Advanced Sommelier who passed it at the Culinary Institute of America.

Written by Alper Billik — Advanced Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers, 2019).

Free Intro Sommelier practice test — 220+ questions across 22 wine regions. Full Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Sommelier exam prep guide from an Advanced Sommelier who passed it at the Culinary Institute of America.

What is the Introductory Sommelier exam?

The Introductory Sommelier exam is the entry-level certification offered by the Court of Master Sommeliers. It is usually delivered as a two-day course at an approved venue (Culinary Institute of America, Westgate Las Vegas, and others) culminating in a multiple-choice theory exam covering wine regions, grape varieties, viticulture, winemaking, service basics, and food and wine pairing principles.

How long should I study for the Intro Sommelier exam?

Most candidates pass with 4 to 8 weeks of focused study after registering for the course. The two-day course itself is intense but you cannot rely on it alone — the exam covers a wide breadth of theory that you need to review before arriving. Plan 5 to 10 hours per week of self-study leading up to the course.

What is the Intro Sommelier pass rate?

Pass rates for the Introductory exam are historically high — typically 85 to 95 percent. But that does not mean it is easy. The candidates who fail almost always do so because they underestimated the breadth of theory and showed up under-prepared. Treat it like any other professional exam and you pass.

Is there a blind tasting at the Intro Sommelier level?

No. The Introductory exam is theory-only — multiple-choice questions. Blind tasting enters the curriculum at the Certified Sommelier level. However, you should still start practicing the Court of Master Sommeliers Deductive Tasting Method (DTM) during your Intro preparation, so the Certified path is shorter.

What regions should I focus on for the Intro Sommelier exam?

Old World regions account for the majority of the curriculum. Prioritize France (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire, Rhône, Alsace), Italy (Piedmont, Tuscany, Veneto), Spain (Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Cava), Germany (Mosel, Rheingau), and Portugal (Port, Madeira). Then add the major New World regions — California, Oregon, Washington, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, South Africa.

Where can I take a free Intro Sommelier practice test?

On this site — the free Level 1 quiz at ai.sommdigi.wine/quiz/level-1 covers 22 wine regions with 220+ questions, modeled on Introductory-level material. No signup, no credit card. You can also chat with the AI sommelier at ai.sommdigi.wine/chat to drill any region or grape variety in conversation form.

France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal account for the bulk of the exam. Build a flashcard for every major region with: signature grapes, climate, classification system, and one or two key appellations. Hit France hardest — Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire, Rhône, Alsace.

California (Napa, Sonoma), Oregon, Washington, Australia (Barossa, Yarra), New Zealand (Marlborough), Chile, Argentina (Mendoza), South Africa. Compare climate and signature grapes to their Old World counterparts. Patterns emerge fast.

Still and sparkling wine service procedures. Glassware selection. Decanting basics. Food and wine pairing principles (acid with acid, fat with tannin, sweet with sweet). Common wine faults. Service is light at Intro level but you need the vocabulary for the multiple-choice questions.

Take the free Level 1 quiz repeatedly. Identify weak areas. Re-study them. Repeat until you score 85 percent or higher consistently across all 22 regions. Then arrive at your course confident and absorb every detail.

France is the single most tested region. Master Bordeaux classification, Burgundy hierarchy (regional → village → Premier Cru → Grand Cru), Champagne basics, and the Rhône appellations. That alone covers a huge portion of the exam.

Start your tasting practice now even though the exam is theory-only. The Certified Sommelier exam adds blind tasting — and you do not want to start at zero when you sit Certified six months later.

Take the two-day course seriously even after passing. The instructors are working Masters and Advanced Sommeliers. Ask them questions, take notes, and build connections. The community is small.

The Intro pin opens real doors. Sommelier roles at hotels, cruise lines, fine dining restaurants — they all look for credentials. Even the entry-level CMS pin shifts how managers see your resume.

220+ questions across 22 wine regions. No signup, no credit card. The largest free Intro Sommelier practice test online.

Ask any region or grape question and get a sommelier-level answer. Built from real Intro-level study notes.

When you pass Intro, this is the next level. Theory + tasting + service. Plan ahead.

All sommelier exam prep guides in one place — Intro, Certified, Advanced, WSET Level 3.

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Intro Sommelier — quick answers.

Intro Sommelier · Exam Prep Guide

How to pass the Intro Sommelier exam — and start your career.

I passed my Introductory Sommelier exam in 2012 at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley. It was the first pin in a 15-year sommelier career. This is the study plan I would give my younger self — and the free practice test that goes with it.

Intro Sommelier · CMS · 2012

What to expect on exam day.

Roughly 70 to 90 multiple-choice questions covering wine regions, grape varieties, viticulture, winemaking, service basics, and food and wine pairing principles. No blind tasting at this level.

Delivered at approved venues like the Culinary Institute of America (Napa Valley + Hyde Park) and Westgate Las Vegas. Two full days of lectures, tastings, and service demonstrations — then the exam on day two.

Historic pass rate sits around 85 to 95 percent. The course gives you the framework — your job is to arrive prepared so you can absorb it.

Two months. Eight weeks. One pin.

Five things that make a difference at Intro level.

"The Intro pin is the smallest credential in the sommelier path — and the most important one. It is the only level where you go from civilian to working sommelier."

— Alper Billik, Advanced Sommelier

Start practicing in the next 2 minutes — free.

Every Master Sommelier started with the Intro pin.

So did I. Start the free practice test today. Build the habit. The first pin is closer than you think.

Level 1 — Intro · Level 2 — Certified · Level 3 — Advanced · Study guides