Last updated August 2026
New World wine regions make up a smaller share of the CMS Certified theory exam than the Old World, but the questions that do appear tend to be specific — AVA boundaries, regional style markers, and altitude or climate details that are easy to gloss over if you’re spending most of your study time on France and Italy.
This 15-question quiz covers the New World regions that show up most often on the Certified exam: the major U.S. AVAs (Napa, Sonoma, Willamette Valley, Columbia Valley), Australia (Barossa, Margaret River, Hunter Valley), New Zealand (Marlborough, Central Otago), Chile, Argentina, and South Africa. Jesse has made wine in California, Washington, and Yarra Valley, so these questions come from real production experience with these regions’ grapes and styles — not just a textbook summary.
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Study Tips for CMS Certified — New World Regions
Organize by country, then by that country’s flagship region and grape — the same approach that works for the Old World. The United States gets the most exam attention: know that Napa Valley sits nested inside the larger North Coast AVA, and that sub-AVAs like Oakville, Rutherford, and Stags Leap District are the ones most likely to be tested by name.
For Australia, pair Barossa Valley with old-vine Shiraz, Margaret River with Bordeaux-style blends and Chardonnay, and Hunter Valley with Sémillon. New Zealand essentially means Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc first, Central Otago Pinot Noir second — know why each region’s climate produces that signature style (Marlborough’s long, cool ripening season for pungent aromatics; Central Otago’s continental climate and diurnal swing for structured Pinot).
Argentina’s story is altitude: Mendoza, especially the Uco Valley, plants Malbec as high as 5,000 feet, where intense UV exposure and cool nights build color and acidity despite a hot, dry daytime climate. Chile splits along a similar logic — coastal, Andes, and central valley sites each give a different expression of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère. For South Africa, know Stellenbosch for red blends and Swartland for old-vine Chenin Blanc and Rhône varieties.
Continue practicing with our other CMS Certified topic quizzes: Old World Regions, Spirits, Beer & Sake, Wine Service, and Food & Wine Pairing. Or test everything at once with the full-length Practice Exam #1 and Practice Exam #2. Back to the CMS Certified Sommelier hub.
Primarily the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, and South Africa. The U.S. gets the most attention, especially California and Washington State AVAs.
Know the major nested AVAs — Napa Valley sits inside the North Coast AVA, and sub-AVAs like Oakville, Rutherford, and Stags Leap District are the ones most likely to be tested. You don’t need all 16 Napa sub-AVAs memorized cold.
Mendoza, particularly the Uco Valley, where Malbec is planted at elevations up to 5,000 feet. The altitude gives the wines high acidity and concentrated color despite a hot, dry climate.