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
Sediment/Particles
Colour
Yes, No
Yes, No
White: Straw, Yellow, Gold
Alcohol
Body / Texture
Low, Med-, Medium, Med+, High
Light, Medium, Full, Creamy, Round, Lean
Red: Purple, Ruby, Garnet
Fruit
Palate - Flavour Elements
White: Apple/Malic, Citric, Pitted/Stone, Tropical, Melon
Hue
Silver, Green, Orange, Blue, Ruby, Garnet, Brown
Rim Variation
Colour change from centre to edge
Fruit Character
Baked, stewed, dried, peel/skin, tart, jammy
Extract / Stain
Viscostity / Tears
None, Light, Medium, Heavy
Low, Med-, Medium, Med+, High
Non-Fruit
Organic Earth
Floral, Vegetal, Herbal, Spice, Animal, Fermentation
Forest Floor, Compost, Mushrooms, Potting Soil, Barn
Inorganic Earth
Mineral, Limestone, Chalk, Slate/Petrol, Flint, Volcanic
Nose
Red: Red, Black, Blue
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
Fruit
Youthful, Vinous
White: Apple/Malic, Citric, Stone, Tropical, Melon, Berry
Length / Finish
Complexity
Short, Med-, Medium, Med+, Long
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
Chocolate, coffee, liquorice, olive, other
Grape Variety / Blend
Earth/Mineral - Organic Forest Floor, Compost, Mushrooms, Fresh Soil, Farmyard
Earth/Mineral - Inorganic Mineral, Limestone, Chalk, Slate/Petrol, Flint, Volcanic
Possible Countries
Age Range
Tertiary/Aged
Meaty, leather, truffle, dusty
Final Conclusion
Wood
Old, New, Large, Small, French, American
Vintage
Cool, Moderate, Warm
1-3 yrs, 3-5 yrs, 5-10 yrs, 10 yrs+
Grape Variety/blend
Country of Origin
Region/Appellation
Quality/Regional Hierarchy AOC/DOCG, Grand/Premier Cru, Reserva, Gran Reserva