Court of Master Sommeliers - Deductive Tasting Format

Sight Palate - Structure Elements

Clarity Clear, Slightly Cloudy, Cloudy Sweetness Bone Dry, Dry, Off Dry, Sweet, Very Sweet
Brightness Dull, Bright, Star Bright (Brilliant) Tannin Low, Med-, Medium, Med+, High
Concentration Pale, Medium, Deep, Translucent, Opaque Acid Low, Med-, Medium, Med+, High
Gas Evidence Yes, No Alcohol Low, Med-, Medium, Med+, High
Sediment/Particles Yes, No Body / Texture Light, Medium, Full, Creamy, Round, Lean
Colour White: Straw, Yellow, Gold Palate - Flavour Elements
Red: Purple, Ruby, Garnet Fruit White: Apple/Malic, Citric, Pitted/Stone, Tropical, Melon
Hue Silver, Green, Orange, Blue, Ruby, Garnet, Brown Red: Red, Black, Blue
Rim Variation Colour change from centre to edge Fruit Character Baked, stewed, dried, peel/skin, tart, jammy
Extract / Stain None, Light, Medium, Heavy Non-Fruit Floral, Vegetal, Herbal, Spice, Animal, Fermentation
Viscostity / Tears Low, Med-, Medium, Med+, High Organic Earth Forest Floor, Compost, Mushrooms, Potting Soil, Barn
Nose Inorganic Earth Mineral, Limestone, Chalk, Slate/Petrol, Flint, Volcanic
Clean / Faulty TCA, H2S, VA, EA, Brett, Oxidation, other Wood Old, New, Large, Small, French, American
Intensity Delicate, Moderate, Powerful Balance Does any element dominate
Age Assessment Youthful, Vinous Length / Finish Short, Med-, Medium, Med+, Long
Fruit White: Apple/Malic, Citric, Stone, Tropical, Melon, Berry Complexity Low, Moderate, Complex
Red: Red, Black, Blue, Berry Initial Conclusion
Fruit Character Baked, stewed, dried, peel/skin, tart, ripe, jammy Old World / New World
Non-Fruit Floral, Vegetal, Herbal, Spice, Vinification (MLF,CM) Climate Cool, Moderate, Warm
Chocolate, coffee, liquorice, olive, other Grape Variety / Blend
Earth/Mineral - Organic Forest Floor, Compost, Mushrooms, Fresh Soil, Farmyard Possible Countries
Earth/Mineral - Inorganic Mineral, Limestone, Chalk, Slate/Petrol, Flint, Volcanic Age Range 1-3 yrs, 3-5 yrs, 5-10 yrs, 10 yrs+
Tertiary/Aged Meaty, leather, truffle, dusty Final Conclusion
Wood Old, New, Large, Small, French, American Vintage
Grape Variety/blend
Country of Origin
Region/Appellation
Quality/Regional Hierarchy AOC/DOCG, Grand/Premier Cru, Reserva, Gran Reserva