White varietals with phenolic bitterness
Albariño
Pinot Gris
Gewurtz
Torrontes
Not testable:
Gruner Veltliner
Viognier
Testable white wines with oak
New - Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Central Coast
French - Cote de Beaune,
Testable wines that are off dry only for the exam
Mosel or Rheingau Riesling
Vouvray Demi Sec
Alsace Gewurztraminer
Terpenic white wines that are testable
Marlborough Sauv Blanc
Sancerre
Pouilly Fume
Salta or Mendoza Torrontes
Alsace Gewurtz
Testable red wines with pyrezenes
Chinon & Bourgeuil
Haut Medoc
Graves
Napa
Sonoma County
Paso Robles
Visual: Pale straw with hints of green, moderate-minus concentration, slight residual
gas (in youth)
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate-plus intensity
Fruit: Ripe citrus (orange, Meyer lemon, ruby red grapefruit), stone fruit
(white peach, peach pit, apricot, nectarine), green apple, melon
Floral: White and yellow flowers, citrus and apple blossoms
Other: Bubblegum, agave, slight beer yeast, leesy, saline, possible ML
fermentation
Earth: Moderate-plus mineral aromas
Oak: None
Structure: Dry, moderate body, elevated acidity, moderate alcohol, phenolic
bitterness
Rias Baixas Albarino
Visual: Pale straw/straw with hints of green, moderate concentration
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate intensity
Fruit: Tart to just-ripe tree fruit (green apple, yellow apple, green pear), citrus
(lemon)
Sulfuric note (especially in youth): Flint, burnt match, slight cabbage
Oxidative notes (if neutral barrels are employed): Hazelnut, almond, cheese rind
Lees notes: Crème fraîche/sour cream
Floral: Faint white flowers, apple blossoms, hawthorne, acacia
Earth: High minerality, stony, chalk, saline/seaspray, oyster shell, button
mushroom
Oak: None or neutral barrel
Structure: Bone dry to dry, moderate to moderate-plus body, elevated to high acidity,
moderate alcohol
Chablis
Visual: Straw to yellow/pale gold, moderate to moderate-plus concentration
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate to moderate-plus intensity
Fruit: Tree fruits (green/yellow apple, pear, quince), citrus (lemon), melon,
stone fruit (white peach, yellow cherry)
Sulfuric note (especially in youth): Flint, burnt match, slight cabbage
Oxidative notes: Almond, hazelnut, cheese rind
Malolactic notes: Slight butter
Lees notes: Crème fraîche/sour cream
Floral: White flowers, acacia, hawthorne, honeysuckle, apple blossoms
Other: Slight spice, slight savory herbs
Earth: Moderate to high minerality, limestone, button mushroom
Oak: low to high use of new French oak, toffee, salted caramel, butterscotch,
sweet baking spices, cinnamon, toast, smoke
Bottle age aromas: Truffle, honey, nut
Structure: Dry, moderate to full body, elevated acidity, moderate to elevated alcohol
Cote de Beaune Blanc
Visual: Yellow/pale gold, moderate-plus concentration
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate to moderate-plus intensity
Fruit: Ripe tree fruits (yellow apple, baked pear), ripe citrus (Meyer lemon),
ripe apricot, tropical fruits (ripe pineapple, mango), melon
Floral: White flowers, apple blossoms, honeysuckle
Oxidative notes: Hazelnut, almond
Malolactic notes: Butter, popcorn
Lees notes: Yogurt, crème fraîche/sour cream
Other: Sweet/canned corn
Earth: Low minerality, slight limestone
Oak: Moderate to high use of new French oak, toffee, salted caramel,
butterscotch, sweet baking spices, vanilla, pie crust, toast
Structure: Dry (may have slight residual sugar), moderate-plus to full body,
moderate acidity, elevated alcohol
California oak driven Chardonnay
Visual: Pale straw/straw with hints of green, moderate concentration
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate to moderate-plus intensity of aromas
Fruit: Tree fruit (green/golden/oxidized apple, quince, yellow pear), citrus
(tangerine, orange, lemon), demi-sec examples may also reveal melon and
tropical fruit notes
Sulfuric note (in youth)
Oxidative notes: Slight bruised apple, bitter nut, almond, cheese rind/soft
cheese
Floral: Orange blossoms, jasmine, honeysuckle, fragrant white flowers
Herbal: Chamomile/herbal tea, medicinal notes, dandelion greens, wasabi,
savory herbs, tree bark
Botrytis (possible): Honey (particularly with bottle age), ginger, marmalade
Other: Wet wool, lanolin
Earth: Moderate-plus to high minerality, wet stones, white mushroom
Oak: None or neutral cask
Structure: off-dry (dry examples typically have slight RS), moderate body, high
acidity, diminished to moderate alcohol
Vouvray
Visual: Yellow/gold, moderate-plus to high concentration
Aromas/Flavors: High (heady) intensity
Fruit: Tropical fruit (lychee, pineapple, tropical fruit punch), ripe stone fruit
(peach jam, dried apricot), citrus (orange marmalade, grapefruit pith)
Floral: Roses, floral perfume
Spice: Cinnamon, clove, gingerbread, musk, potpourri, exotic spices
Other: Honey, bergamot oil, face lotion/perfumed hand soap
Earth: Moderate to moderate-plus minerality
Oak: None or neutral cask
Structure: off-dry, moderate-plus to full body, diminished to moderate acidity,
moderate to elevated alcohol, phenolic bitterness
Alsace Gewurtztraminer
Visual: Pale straw with hints of green (possibly with slight copper and pink tones),
moderate concentration
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate intensity
Fruit: Citrus (lemon), tree fruit (red and yellow apple), creamy stone fruit
(white peach, nectarine), melon
Floral: White and yellow flowers
Herbal: Watercress/arugula
Other/lees: Peanut shell, lager yeast/stale beer
Earth: Moderate to moderate-plus minerality, stone/chalk, ash
Oak: None
Structure: Dry, moderate body, elevated acidity, moderate alcohol, phenolic
bitterness
Pinot Grigio
Visual: Brilliant, watery white with hints of green, low concentration
Aromas/Flavors: High intensity
Fruit: Tart tree fruits (green apple, Bosc pear, quince), citrus/citrus peel
(lemon, lime, grapefruit), stone fruit (white peach, white plum, nectarine), blackcurrant
Sulfuric note (in youth)
Floral: White flowers, jasmine, fruit tree blossoms
Other: Slight smoke, candle wax, panna cotta/meringue, slight petrol
Earth: High minerality, wet stones
Oak: None or large neutral cask
Bottle age aromas: Honey, petrol, paraffin
Structure: Off-dry to medium dry, light body, high acidity, low alcohol
Mosel Kabinett Riesling
Visual: Pale straw with hints of green, moderate concentration
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate to moderate-plus intensity of aromas
Fruit: Tart citrus (grapefruit, lemon, lime), tart tree fruit (green apple, green pear), gooseberry, underripe stone fruit (white peach), slight tropical fruit (kiwi, passion fruit)
Floral: Faint white flowers, citrus blossoms
Herbal/green/pyrazine: Cut grass, green bell pepper, blackcurrant bud, box
tree, basil, tarragon
Earth: High minerality, wet stones, chalk, crushed rocks
Oak: None or neutral oak casks
Structure: Dry, moderate body, high acidity, moderate to moderate-plus alcohol
Sancerre
Visual: Pale straw with hints of green, moderate concentration
Aromas/Flavors: High intensity of aromas
Fruit: Citrus (grapefruit, lemon, lime), melon, gooseberry, tropical fruit
(passion fruit, guava, pineapple)
Floral: Faint white flowers, citrus blossoms
Herbal/green/pyrazine: Cut grass, asparagus, canned pea, green bell pepper,
jalapeño, blackcurrant bud, rhubarb
Earth: Moderate minerality, wet rocks, chalk
Oak: None
Structure: Dry, moderate body, high acidity, moderate to
moderate-plus alcohol
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Visual: Yellow with hints of green, moderate-plus concentration
Aromas/Flavors: High intensity
Fruit: Synthetic grape, tropical fruit (pineapple, guava, papaya), ripe citrus
(orange, Meyer lemon), ripe stone fruit (peach), melon
Floral: Highly floral/perfumed, orange blossoms, roses, jasmine, geranium
Other: Hand lotion/soapy, potpourri, slight musk spice
Earth: Low to moderate minerality
Oak: None
Structure: Dry, moderate-plus body, moderate to elevated acidity, elevated alcohol,
possible phenolic bitterness
Torrontes
Visual: Dark ruby color, moderate to moderate-plus concentration, pink/purple rim
variation (in youth)
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate-plus intensity
Fruit: Bright red fruit (raspberry, cranberry, red cherry, cherry pit), tart black
fruit (black cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry), underripe fruit flavors
Possible carbonic maceration and/or stem inclusion
Floral: Violets, lilacs, white and red flowers
Herbal/green/pyrazine: Black currant bud/leaf, green bell/serrano pepper,
celery seed, grass, sage, tobacco
Other: Leather, cedar, cigar box
Earth: High minerality, graphite/pencil lead, dust
Oak: Neutral French oak barrels (some top cuvées will include new oak)
Structure: Bone dry to dry, moderate-plus body, elevated tannin, elevated acidity,
moderate alcohol
Chinon
Visual: Dark purple color, high concentration
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate-plus intensity
Fruit: Ripe/lush black fruit (black currant/cassis, blackberry, black cherry),
lush red fruit (sweet cherry, raspberry), boysenberry/blueberry
Possible volatile acidity
Floral: Purple flowers, violets
Herbal/green (in cooler vintages): Sage, mint, green bell pepper, tobacco, eucalyptus
Spice (sweet): Anise, cocoa, cinnamon, clove, allspice, nutmeg
Other: Cedar, pencil shavings, sweet leather, cigar box
Earth: Low to moderate-plus minerality, volcanic/ashen, gravel
Oak: Moderate-plus to high use of new French oak (allspice, nutmeg, clove, smoke, toast, coffee, vanilla, roasted nut, cocoa, cedar)
Structure: Dry (with ripe attack), full body, elevated to high tannin, moderate acidity,
elevated to high alcohol
Napa Cab
Visual: Dark ruby/purple color, moderate-plus concentration
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate-plus intensity
Fruit: Black fruit (black currant/cassis, blackberry, black cherry), slight red
fruit and plum
Floral: Purple flowers, violets
Herbal/green: Sage, green bell pepper, mint, tobacco, dried savory herbs
Spice (savory): Green peppercorn, anise, clove, exotic spices
Other: Leather, pencil shavings, cedar, iodine, medicinal, game, cigar box
Earth: Moderate-plus to high minerality, graphite, gravel, iron, damp soil,
mushroom
Oak: Moderate-plus to high use of new French oak (baking spices, clove, smoke, coffee, vanilla, roasted nut, cedar)
Structure: Dry, moderate-plus body, elevated tannin, moderate to elevated acidity,
moderate to elevated alcohol
Left Bank Bordeaux
Visual: Bright ruby with purple tones, low to moderate-plus
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate-plus to high intensity
Fruit: Tart red fruit (strawberry, red cherry, raspberry, cranberry, red currant),
watermelon
Carbonic maceration notes: Pear drop, banana, bubblegum, cotton candy, lifted red fruit/floral aromatics
Floral: Violets, lilacs, peonies
Other: Slight black pepper, dry savory herbs
Earth: Moderate to high minerality, stony, crushed rock
Oak: None or neutral casks
Structure: Dry, moderate-minus to moderate body, diminished to moderate tannin,
elevated acidity, moderate alcohol
Cru Beuajolais
Visual: Ruby color, slight orange rim (even in youth), moderate concentration
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate-plus intensity
Fruit: Cooked to dried red fruits (strawberry, cherry, raspberry), roasted red plum, blackberry, raisin/fig. Possible volatile acidity, oxidation
Floral: Red flowers, dried lavender
Herbal: Herbes de Provence, garrigue/wild brush, rosemary, brewed black tea, savory herbs
Spice: Curing spices, black pepper, juniper, clove, licorice, lavender
Other: Powdered sugar, dried orange/grapefruit peel, old
leather/Brettanomyces
Earth: Moderate-plus to high minerality, stony/gravelly, baked earth
Oak: Large neutral casks (foudres) or concrete vats, although some modern
special cuvée styles may incorporate smaller barrels and new oak
Structure: Dry, moderate-plus to full body, moderate to elevated tannin, diminished
to moderate acidity, elevated to high alcohol
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Visual: Ruby color with blue tones, moderate-plus concentration
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate-plus intensity
Fruit: Stewed fruit character, ripe/lush blue fruit (plum, blueberry), ripe black
fruit (black currant), lush red fruit (red cherry, raspberry), fig, prune
Floral: Purple flowers, violets
Herbal: Fern, bay leaf, sage
Spice: Christmas spice, licorice/anise
Earth: Low to moderate minerality
Oak: Moderate to high use of new French oak or mixed origin oak, chocolate, coffee, mocha, sweet baking spices, vanilla
Structure: Dry (with ripe attack), moderate-plus to full body, moderate tannin,
diminished to moderate acidity, elevated to high alcohol
Napa Merlot
Visual: Ruby color with garnet tones, moderate to moderate-plus concentration
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate-plus intensity
Fruit: Blue fruit (plum, blueberry), red fruit (strawberry, raspberry, red cherry), black fruit (blackberry, black cherry), fig/fruitcake
Floral: Purple flowers, violets
Herbal: Mint, bay leaf, fern, tobacco
Spice: Licorice/anise, Christmas spice
Earth: Moderate-plus to high minerality, clay, mushroom/truffle
Oak: Moderate-plus to high use of new French oak, chocolate, coffee, cinnamon, vanilla
Structure: Dry, moderate to moderate-plus body, moderate to elevated tannin,
moderate acidity, elevated alcohol
Right bank Bordeaux
Visual: Ruby/garnet color, significant garnet/orange rim variation, moderate
concentration
Aromas/Flavors: High intensity
Fruit: Tart red fruit (sour cherry, red plum), blackberry, mulberry, dried
plum/prune and dried cherry
Significant volatile acidity, oxidation
Floral: Heady floral character, roses, violets
Herbal: Tea leaf, tobacco, bitter root, tree bark
Spice: Licorice, anise, resin, slight clove/cinnamon spice
Other: Tar, leather
Earth: High minerality, truffle, mushroom, dust, organic earth
Oak: Neutral large casks (Slavonian oak and chestnut botti are considered
traditional casks for Barolo)
Structure: Dry, medium to full body, high tannin, elevated to high acidity, elevated to
high alcohol
Barolo
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Beer14
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Sake26
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Spirits35
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Northern Italy111
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Central & Southern Italy57
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Spain & Portugal64
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Grape Varietal Aliases19
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Germany, Austria, Hungary75
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Greece9
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Northern California151
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Central Coast California20
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Washington and Oregon25
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New York, Canada, Mexico25
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Chile, Argentina1
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Australia, NZ, South Africa72
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Sparkling Wines15
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Sweet Wines21
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Fortified Wines28
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Cocktails35
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Business of the Sommelier15
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France - Bordeaux & Loire57
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France - Champagne55
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France - Rhone & the South53
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France - Alsace20
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Tasting33
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France - Burgundy62
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General2
