Certified Sommelier Exam Questions
With All Correct Answers 2025 Latest
Update
Gamay (Beaujolais) CORRECT ANSWERS BUBBLEGUM, BANANA, STRONG
CRUSHED GRANITE, strawberry, black cherry, violets, pear drop
Riesling CORRECT ANSWERS HIGH ACID, SLATE, PETROL, RS, apricot, peach,
lime, lime zest (NW), lime blossom, linear texture
Albarino (Rias Baixas) CORRECT ANSWERS JUICYFRUIT GUM, ORANGE OIL,
CREAMY TEXTURE, SOMETIMES SLIGHTLY OXIDATIVE (BLANCHED ALMONDS),
fresh ripe peach, bright finish
Gruner Veltliner CORRECT ANSWERS LENTILS, RADISH, CELERY, WHITE
PEPPER, watercress, lime blossom, lime, under-ripe stone fruit, subtle, bitterness on
finish
Merlot CORRECT ANSWERS PLUM, BLACKBERRY, CHOCOLATE, fern leaf, round
shape/texture
Chardonnay CORRECT ANSWERS HAZELNUT, SOFT CHEESE RIND,
BUTTER/DIACETYL (NW), golden apple, lemon, pineapple (NW), rich texture
Malbec (Argentina) CORRECT ANSWERS BLUEBERRY, GREEN COFFEE BEAN,
MAGENTA/ELECTRIC PINK RIM, ripe plum, blackberry, violets, bright acid
Cabernet Franc (Loire) CORRECT ANSWERS TART RED RASPBERRY, JALAPENO,
STEMMY/TWIGGY, MARIJUANA, black currant, red currant, green bell pepper, cut
grass, violets, tart finish, pronounced earth, brettanomyces is often encountered
Cabernet Sauvignon CORRECT ANSWERS BLACK PLUM, GREEN BELL PEPPER,
TOBACCO, SAGE, black currant, edgy texture
Sauvignon Blanc CORRECT ANSWERS GRASS, JALAPENO, GOOSEBERRY,
grapefruit, tarragon & chervil (OW), passionfruit (NW)
Pinot Noir CORRECT ANSWERS CRANBERRY, VIOLETS, BLACK TEA, TOMATO
LEAF, black cherry, red cherry, cola nut, strawberry
Tempranillo (Rioja Riserva/Gran Riserva) CORRECT ANSWERS STEWED FRUITS,
DESSICATED FRUITS, SWEET & SOUR (CHINESE RESTAURANT AROMA), tart red
raspberry, tobacco, dill, bay leaf, ripe strawberries, coconut, MP acid, M-MP alcohol
,Gewurztraminer (Alsace) CORRECT ANSWERS LYCHEE, CANDIED GINGER,
BITTER FINISH, rose, potpourri, grapefruit pith
Syrah/Shiraz CORRECT ANSWERS SMOKED MEATS/BACON FAT, LEATHER,
VIOLETS, raspberry, blackberry, freshly cracked pepper, sometimes blueberry
Grenache CORRECT ANSWERS DEHYDRATED STRAWBERRIES, BLACK PEPPER,
RAISINS, GRENADINE, OXIDATIVE, SWEETNESS TO THE FRUIT ON THE FINISH,
strawberry jam, raspberry, black cherry, powdered sugar
Chenin Blanc (Loire) CORRECT ANSWERS BRUISED RED APPLE (OXIDATIVE),
CHAMOMILE, WASABI, WET WOOL, PRONOUNCED CHALK/LIMESTONE, honey,
tangerine, high acid
Sangiovese (Tuscany) CORRECT ANSWERS SOUR RED CHERRY, CHERRY PITH,
LEAFY UNDERBRUSH, HIGH ACID, licorice root, fennel, black tea
Pinot Gris (Alsace) CORRECT ANSWERS SWEET PEAR, POTTING SOIL, SMALL
AMOUNTS OF RS, WHITE FLOWERS, white mushrooms, green apple, honey, slightly
bitter finish
Viognier CORRECT ANSWERS FRUIT LOOPS, ORANGE PEEL, VANILLA, M-MM
ACIDITY, peach apricot, mandarin orange, orange blossom, honeysuckle, mango,
weighty texture, bitter finish
Muscat CORRECT ANSWERS ORANGE CANDY, ROSE PETAL
Pinot Grigio (Italy) CORRECT ANSWERS PEANUT SHELL, FLAT BEER, lemon rind,
melon, bitter finish
Nebbiolo CORRECT ANSWERS DRIED SOUR RED CHERRY, TRUFFLE, FENNEL,
HIGH TANNIN, CINNAMON, MARASCHINO CHERRY, tar, dried rose petal, red
licorice, anise, mushroom, clay, high acid, MP-H alcohol
Zinfandel CORRECT ANSWERS PLUM SKIN, BLUEBERRY JAM, PEPPERCORN,
PEACH YOGURT, cranberry, blackberry pie, high alcohol
Listrac & Moulis CORRECT ANSWERS - Lesser appellations
- Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines
- No classified growths
Margaux CORRECT ANSWERS - Largest AOC in Haut Medoc
- Wines know for ELEGANCE and FINESSE
- 1 First Growth (Chateau Margaux)
- Other notables: Chateau Palmer, Giscours, Brane- Cantenac
, Pauillac CORRECT ANSWERS - Considered the epitome of "claret"
- Wines balance POWER and FINESSE
- 3 First Growths: Latour, Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild
Saint-Julien CORRECT ANSWERS - Smallest commune, but 11 classified growths
- Styles combine ELEGANCE and STURDINESS
- 5 Second Growths: Ducru-Beaucaillou, Leoville-Las-Cases, Leoville-Poyferre, Leoville-
Barton, Gruard-Larose
Graves & Pessac-Leognan CORRECT ANSWERS - Appellation for red AND dry whites
- No ranking; all designated Cru Classe
- Pessac-Leognan AC in northern part
Right Bank Communes (Bordeaux) CORRECT ANSWERS - Saint-Emillion (PGCC's are
Ausone and Cheval Blanc)
- Pomerol (Petrus, Le Pin, La Fleur Petrus, La Conseillante, Vieux-Chateau-Certan,
Trotanoy)
Right Bank Grapes (Bordeaux) CORRECT ANSWERS 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet
Franc, 5% minor varietals
Sauternes CORRECT ANSWERS - Sits in Graves
- World famous botrytis dessert wines
- Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
- Dry wines labeled as Graves Blanc or Bordeaux Blanc
Saint-Estephe CORRECT ANSWERS - Northernmost commune of the Haut-Medoc
- Wines are RUSTIC, STURDY, FULL-BODIED
- 5 classified growths, including 2nd growths (Cos d'Estournel and Montrose)
Left Bank Communes (Bordeaux) CORRECT ANSWERS - Haut Medoc
- Saint-Estephe
- Pauillac
- Saint-Julien
- Listrac & Moulis
- Margaux
- Graves
- Pessac-Leognan
- Sauternes
Left Bank Grapes (Bordeaux) CORRECT ANSWERS Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon
(70%); Merlot, minor varietals (30%)
Medoc First Growths CORRECT ANSWERS - Lafite-Rothschild
- Latour
With All Correct Answers 2025 Latest
Update
Gamay (Beaujolais) CORRECT ANSWERS BUBBLEGUM, BANANA, STRONG
CRUSHED GRANITE, strawberry, black cherry, violets, pear drop
Riesling CORRECT ANSWERS HIGH ACID, SLATE, PETROL, RS, apricot, peach,
lime, lime zest (NW), lime blossom, linear texture
Albarino (Rias Baixas) CORRECT ANSWERS JUICYFRUIT GUM, ORANGE OIL,
CREAMY TEXTURE, SOMETIMES SLIGHTLY OXIDATIVE (BLANCHED ALMONDS),
fresh ripe peach, bright finish
Gruner Veltliner CORRECT ANSWERS LENTILS, RADISH, CELERY, WHITE
PEPPER, watercress, lime blossom, lime, under-ripe stone fruit, subtle, bitterness on
finish
Merlot CORRECT ANSWERS PLUM, BLACKBERRY, CHOCOLATE, fern leaf, round
shape/texture
Chardonnay CORRECT ANSWERS HAZELNUT, SOFT CHEESE RIND,
BUTTER/DIACETYL (NW), golden apple, lemon, pineapple (NW), rich texture
Malbec (Argentina) CORRECT ANSWERS BLUEBERRY, GREEN COFFEE BEAN,
MAGENTA/ELECTRIC PINK RIM, ripe plum, blackberry, violets, bright acid
Cabernet Franc (Loire) CORRECT ANSWERS TART RED RASPBERRY, JALAPENO,
STEMMY/TWIGGY, MARIJUANA, black currant, red currant, green bell pepper, cut
grass, violets, tart finish, pronounced earth, brettanomyces is often encountered
Cabernet Sauvignon CORRECT ANSWERS BLACK PLUM, GREEN BELL PEPPER,
TOBACCO, SAGE, black currant, edgy texture
Sauvignon Blanc CORRECT ANSWERS GRASS, JALAPENO, GOOSEBERRY,
grapefruit, tarragon & chervil (OW), passionfruit (NW)
Pinot Noir CORRECT ANSWERS CRANBERRY, VIOLETS, BLACK TEA, TOMATO
LEAF, black cherry, red cherry, cola nut, strawberry
Tempranillo (Rioja Riserva/Gran Riserva) CORRECT ANSWERS STEWED FRUITS,
DESSICATED FRUITS, SWEET & SOUR (CHINESE RESTAURANT AROMA), tart red
raspberry, tobacco, dill, bay leaf, ripe strawberries, coconut, MP acid, M-MP alcohol
,Gewurztraminer (Alsace) CORRECT ANSWERS LYCHEE, CANDIED GINGER,
BITTER FINISH, rose, potpourri, grapefruit pith
Syrah/Shiraz CORRECT ANSWERS SMOKED MEATS/BACON FAT, LEATHER,
VIOLETS, raspberry, blackberry, freshly cracked pepper, sometimes blueberry
Grenache CORRECT ANSWERS DEHYDRATED STRAWBERRIES, BLACK PEPPER,
RAISINS, GRENADINE, OXIDATIVE, SWEETNESS TO THE FRUIT ON THE FINISH,
strawberry jam, raspberry, black cherry, powdered sugar
Chenin Blanc (Loire) CORRECT ANSWERS BRUISED RED APPLE (OXIDATIVE),
CHAMOMILE, WASABI, WET WOOL, PRONOUNCED CHALK/LIMESTONE, honey,
tangerine, high acid
Sangiovese (Tuscany) CORRECT ANSWERS SOUR RED CHERRY, CHERRY PITH,
LEAFY UNDERBRUSH, HIGH ACID, licorice root, fennel, black tea
Pinot Gris (Alsace) CORRECT ANSWERS SWEET PEAR, POTTING SOIL, SMALL
AMOUNTS OF RS, WHITE FLOWERS, white mushrooms, green apple, honey, slightly
bitter finish
Viognier CORRECT ANSWERS FRUIT LOOPS, ORANGE PEEL, VANILLA, M-MM
ACIDITY, peach apricot, mandarin orange, orange blossom, honeysuckle, mango,
weighty texture, bitter finish
Muscat CORRECT ANSWERS ORANGE CANDY, ROSE PETAL
Pinot Grigio (Italy) CORRECT ANSWERS PEANUT SHELL, FLAT BEER, lemon rind,
melon, bitter finish
Nebbiolo CORRECT ANSWERS DRIED SOUR RED CHERRY, TRUFFLE, FENNEL,
HIGH TANNIN, CINNAMON, MARASCHINO CHERRY, tar, dried rose petal, red
licorice, anise, mushroom, clay, high acid, MP-H alcohol
Zinfandel CORRECT ANSWERS PLUM SKIN, BLUEBERRY JAM, PEPPERCORN,
PEACH YOGURT, cranberry, blackberry pie, high alcohol
Listrac & Moulis CORRECT ANSWERS - Lesser appellations
- Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines
- No classified growths
Margaux CORRECT ANSWERS - Largest AOC in Haut Medoc
- Wines know for ELEGANCE and FINESSE
- 1 First Growth (Chateau Margaux)
- Other notables: Chateau Palmer, Giscours, Brane- Cantenac
, Pauillac CORRECT ANSWERS - Considered the epitome of "claret"
- Wines balance POWER and FINESSE
- 3 First Growths: Latour, Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild
Saint-Julien CORRECT ANSWERS - Smallest commune, but 11 classified growths
- Styles combine ELEGANCE and STURDINESS
- 5 Second Growths: Ducru-Beaucaillou, Leoville-Las-Cases, Leoville-Poyferre, Leoville-
Barton, Gruard-Larose
Graves & Pessac-Leognan CORRECT ANSWERS - Appellation for red AND dry whites
- No ranking; all designated Cru Classe
- Pessac-Leognan AC in northern part
Right Bank Communes (Bordeaux) CORRECT ANSWERS - Saint-Emillion (PGCC's are
Ausone and Cheval Blanc)
- Pomerol (Petrus, Le Pin, La Fleur Petrus, La Conseillante, Vieux-Chateau-Certan,
Trotanoy)
Right Bank Grapes (Bordeaux) CORRECT ANSWERS 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet
Franc, 5% minor varietals
Sauternes CORRECT ANSWERS - Sits in Graves
- World famous botrytis dessert wines
- Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
- Dry wines labeled as Graves Blanc or Bordeaux Blanc
Saint-Estephe CORRECT ANSWERS - Northernmost commune of the Haut-Medoc
- Wines are RUSTIC, STURDY, FULL-BODIED
- 5 classified growths, including 2nd growths (Cos d'Estournel and Montrose)
Left Bank Communes (Bordeaux) CORRECT ANSWERS - Haut Medoc
- Saint-Estephe
- Pauillac
- Saint-Julien
- Listrac & Moulis
- Margaux
- Graves
- Pessac-Leognan
- Sauternes
Left Bank Grapes (Bordeaux) CORRECT ANSWERS Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon
(70%); Merlot, minor varietals (30%)
Medoc First Growths CORRECT ANSWERS - Lafite-Rothschild
- Latour
