Wine Tasting Flashcards
5 cards from real SOMM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 5 Wine Tasting flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of swirling wine in a glass during tasting?
Answer: To mix the wine with air, enhancing its aroma
Swirling wine in a glass is a crucial step in tasting because it increases the wine's surface area exposed to oxygen, a process called aeration. This aeration helps to release volatile aromatic compounds, allowing the taster to perceive a wider and more complex range of the wine's scents and nuances. It effectively 'opens up' the wine, making its bouquet more expressive.
Which of the following descriptors would you most likely use for a wine with high acidity?
Answer: Tart
A wine with high acidity is most accurately described as 'tart' on the palate. This characteristic manifests as a crisp, mouth-watering, and sometimes sharp sensation, contributing to the wine's freshness and liveliness. Acidity is essential for balance, especially in white wines, and prevents a wine from tasting 'flabby' or dull.
If a wine has a strong aroma of green bell pepper, what grape variety might it be?
Answer: Cabernet Sauvignon
A strong aroma of green bell pepper, often attributed to compounds called pyrazines, is a classic varietal characteristic of Cabernet Sauvignon. This herbaceous note is particularly noticeable when the grapes are grown in cooler climates or are not fully ripe. It serves as a key identifier for the grape and contributes to its complex aromatic profile.
Which of the following terms describes a wine with a high level of tannins?
Answer: Astringent
A wine with a high level of tannins is best described as 'astringent.' Tannins, found in grape skins, seeds, and oak barrels, create a drying, puckering sensation in the mouth, particularly on the gums and tongue. This characteristic contributes to the wine's structure, texture, and aging potential, especially in red wines.
During a blind tasting, you notice the wine has a deep purple color, high tannins, and black fruit aromas. Which grape variety is this most likely to be?
Answer: Syrah/Shiraz
During a blind tasting, a deep purple color, high tannins, and black fruit aromas (like blackberry and blackcurrant) are classic indicators of Syrah/Shiraz. This grape variety is known for producing powerful, full-bodied wines that often exhibit notes of black pepper, smoke, and sometimes game. These characteristics collectively point to Syrah/Shiraz as the most likely grape.