CERTIFIED SOMMELIER EXAM LATEST EXAM
2025-2026 WITH ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS
Gamay (Beaujolais)
Ans: BUBBLEGUM, BANANA, STRONG CRUSHED GRANITE,
strawberry, black cherry, violets, pear drop
Q: Riesling
Ans: HIGH ACID, SLATE, PETROL, RS, apricot, peach, lime, lime
zest (NW), lime blossom, linear texture
Q: Albarino (Rias Baixas)
Ans: JUICYFRUIT GUM, ORANGE OIL, CREAMY TEXTURE,
SOMETIMES SLIGHTLY OXIDATIVE (BLANCHED ALMONDS), fresh ripe
peach, bright finish
Q: Gruner Veltliner
,Ans: LENTILS, RADISH, CELERY, WHITE PEPPER, watercress, lime
blossom, lime, under-ripe stone fruit, subtle, bitterness on finish
Q: Merlot
Ans: PLUM, BLACKBERRY, CHOCOLATE, fern leaf, round
shape/texture
Q: Chardonnay
Ans: HAZELNUT, SOFT CHEESE RIND, BUTTER/DIACETYL (NW),
golden apple, lemon, pineapple (NW), rich texture
Q: Malbec (Argentina)
Ans: BLUEBERRY, GREEN COFFEE BEAN, MAGENTA/ELECTRIC PINK
RIM, ripe plum, blackberry, violets, bright acid
Q: Cabernet Franc (Loire)
,Ans: 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
Q: Cabernet Sauvignon
Ans: BLACK PLUM, GREEN BELL PEPPER, TOBACCO, SAGE, black
currant, edgy texture
Q: Sauvignon Blanc
Ans: GRASS, JALAPENO, GOOSEBERRY, grapefruit, tarragon &
chervil (OW), passionfruit (NW)
Q: Pinot Noir
Ans: CRANBERRY, VIOLETS, BLACK TEA, TOMATO LEAF, black
cherry, red cherry, cola nut, strawberry
Q: Tempranillo (Rioja Riserva/Gran Riserva)
, Ans: STEWED FRUITS, DESSICATED FRUITS, SWEET & SOUR (CHINESE
RESTAURANT AROMA), tart red raspberry, tobacco, dill, bay leaf,
ripe strawberries, coconut, MP acid, M-MP alcohol
Q: Gewurztraminer (Alsace)
Ans: LYCHEE, CANDIED GINGER, BITTER FINISH, rose, potpourri,
grapefruit pith
Q: Syrah/Shiraz
Ans: SMOKED MEATS/BACON FAT, LEATHER, VIOLETS, raspberry,
blackberry, freshly cracked pepper, sometimes blueberry
Q: Grenache
Ans: DEHYDRATED STRAWBERRIES, BLACK PEPPER, RAISINS,
GRENADINE, OXIDATIVE, SWEETNESS TO THE FRUIT ON THE FINISH,
strawberry jam, raspberry, black cherry, powdered sugar
Q: Chenin Blanc (Loire)
2025-2026 WITH ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS
Gamay (Beaujolais)
Ans: BUBBLEGUM, BANANA, STRONG CRUSHED GRANITE,
strawberry, black cherry, violets, pear drop
Q: Riesling
Ans: HIGH ACID, SLATE, PETROL, RS, apricot, peach, lime, lime
zest (NW), lime blossom, linear texture
Q: Albarino (Rias Baixas)
Ans: JUICYFRUIT GUM, ORANGE OIL, CREAMY TEXTURE,
SOMETIMES SLIGHTLY OXIDATIVE (BLANCHED ALMONDS), fresh ripe
peach, bright finish
Q: Gruner Veltliner
,Ans: LENTILS, RADISH, CELERY, WHITE PEPPER, watercress, lime
blossom, lime, under-ripe stone fruit, subtle, bitterness on finish
Q: Merlot
Ans: PLUM, BLACKBERRY, CHOCOLATE, fern leaf, round
shape/texture
Q: Chardonnay
Ans: HAZELNUT, SOFT CHEESE RIND, BUTTER/DIACETYL (NW),
golden apple, lemon, pineapple (NW), rich texture
Q: Malbec (Argentina)
Ans: BLUEBERRY, GREEN COFFEE BEAN, MAGENTA/ELECTRIC PINK
RIM, ripe plum, blackberry, violets, bright acid
Q: Cabernet Franc (Loire)
,Ans: 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
Q: Cabernet Sauvignon
Ans: BLACK PLUM, GREEN BELL PEPPER, TOBACCO, SAGE, black
currant, edgy texture
Q: Sauvignon Blanc
Ans: GRASS, JALAPENO, GOOSEBERRY, grapefruit, tarragon &
chervil (OW), passionfruit (NW)
Q: Pinot Noir
Ans: CRANBERRY, VIOLETS, BLACK TEA, TOMATO LEAF, black
cherry, red cherry, cola nut, strawberry
Q: Tempranillo (Rioja Riserva/Gran Riserva)
, Ans: STEWED FRUITS, DESSICATED FRUITS, SWEET & SOUR (CHINESE
RESTAURANT AROMA), tart red raspberry, tobacco, dill, bay leaf,
ripe strawberries, coconut, MP acid, M-MP alcohol
Q: Gewurztraminer (Alsace)
Ans: LYCHEE, CANDIED GINGER, BITTER FINISH, rose, potpourri,
grapefruit pith
Q: Syrah/Shiraz
Ans: SMOKED MEATS/BACON FAT, LEATHER, VIOLETS, raspberry,
blackberry, freshly cracked pepper, sometimes blueberry
Q: Grenache
Ans: DEHYDRATED STRAWBERRIES, BLACK PEPPER, RAISINS,
GRENADINE, OXIDATIVE, SWEETNESS TO THE FRUIT ON THE FINISH,
strawberry jam, raspberry, black cherry, powdered sugar
Q: Chenin Blanc (Loire)
