Wines to Taste Before the CMS Certified Sommelier Exam
Buying Guides · For wine students
To prepare for the CMS Certified Sommelier tasting, practice with textbook-classic examples of the examinable grapes and regions, tasted blind in pairs and described out loud with the Deductive Tasting Method, until you can recognize each grape's structural markers under time pressure. Typical, benchmark bottles matter more than expensive ones.
We built our CMS-A Certified Sommelier Exam Practice Wines collection for exactly this, choosing classic, typical examples. Here's how to use it.
Classic practice bottles
Seppeltsfield Watervale RieslingTextbook Clare Valley Riesling$22
Sylvaine et Alaine Normand La Roche-VineuseBenchmark Mâconnais Chardonnay$28
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Cabernet Franc Vieilles VignesLoire Cabernet Franc, pyrazines and all$25
Bertinga "La Porta di Vertine"Classic Chianti Classico Sangiovese$25
How does the Certified Sommelier exam work?
According to the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, the Certified Sommelier Examination is a one-day exam with three sections, and you must score at least 60% on each in the same sitting:
- Deductive tasting: describe and identify four wines, two white and two red, in 45 minutes, using the CMS-A Deductive Tasting Method.
- Theory: a 45-question written exam in 38 minutes, with multiple-choice, short-answer, math and matching questions.
- Hospitality and service practical: tableside service, salesmanship and pairing in a simulated restaurant.
You must pass the Introductory Sommelier Course and Exam first. CMS-A publishes the official list of examinable grape varieties and wines in its resource library; always study from the current list at mastersommeliers.org.
Which wines should you practice with?
Buy classic, typical examples, not outliers. A bottle that tastes "exactly like the textbook" is worth more to a student than a rare one. Build a practice set around the classic white and red markers:
| Grape | Classic example | Key markers |
|---|---|---|
| Riesling | Mosel, Alsace, Clare Valley | High acid, lime, stone fruit, petrol with age |
| Sauvignon Blanc | Sancerre, Marlborough | Grass, gooseberry, high acid, no oak |
| Chardonnay | Chablis, Mâcon, California | Apple, citrus; oak and MLF in New World |
| Chenin Blanc | Vouvray, Savennières | Quince, lanolin, chamomile, high acid |
| Pinot Noir | Burgundy, Oregon, California | Pale, red cherry, earth, low tannin |
| Gamay | Cru Beaujolais | Red fruit, banana/bubblegum (carbonic), low tannin |
| Cabernet Franc | Chinon, Bourgueil | Red pepper, pencil shavings, red fruit |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa, Left Bank Bordeaux | Blackcurrant, mint, firm tannin |
| Syrah | Northern Rhône, Barossa Shiraz | Black pepper, olive, smoked meat, violet |
| Sangiovese | Chianti Classico, Brunello | Sour cherry, tomato leaf, high acid |
| Nebbiolo | Barolo, Barbaresco | Pale, rose, tar, very high tannin and acid |
| Tempranillo | Rioja | Dried cherry, leather, American oak dill |
Check each grape against the current CMS-A list; this table covers common classics, not the official syllabus.
How should you practice blind tasting?
- Taste in pairs. Chablis next to California Chardonnay, Sancerre next to Marlborough, Burgundy next to Oregon. Contrast teaches faster than single bottles.
- Use the grid every time. Sight, nose, palate, then initial and final conclusions. Say it out loud, in order.
- Time yourself. Four wines in 45 minutes is about 11 minutes per wine, including writing.
- Calibrate structure first. Acid, tannin, alcohol and oak narrow the field before fruit does.
- Form a tasting group. Four to six people splitting bottles makes practice affordable and keeps it honest. Our guide to hosting a blind tasting has the logistics.
How many bottles do you need?
A focused plan uses about 24 bottles over 6 to 8 weeks: one or two classic examples of each core grape, plus pairs that are easy to confuse (Pinot Noir vs. Gamay, Cabernet Franc vs. Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling vs. Chenin Blanc). Split among a group, that's affordable. Keep leftovers under inert gas or in the fridge and re-taste on day two; it's good practice too.
How do you study for the theory and service sections?
For theory, learn regions, classifications and key producers from the official study resources, and use flashcards daily. Our 107 wine terms explained is a handy glossary. For service, practice opening and pouring sparkling and still wine, decanting, and recommending pairings out loud, ideally in a real restaurant setting. Our guide to talking about wine like a pro helps with the salesmanship side.
FAQ
What wines are on the Certified Sommelier exam?
The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas publishes the list of examinable grapes and wines in its resource library. Classic examples of grapes such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Sangiovese are core practice wines.
How many wines are in the Certified Sommelier tasting?
Candidates describe and identify four wines, two white and two red, in 45 minutes, according to CMS-A.
What score do you need to pass the Certified Sommelier exam?
A minimum of 60% on each of the three sections (tasting, theory and service) in the same exam sitting.
How much does it cost to buy practice wines?
A solid practice set of about 24 classic bottles costs roughly $500 to $700, and far less per person when split among a tasting group.
Taste classics, taste in pairs, and say it out loud. Shop CMS practice wines →
Want bottles like these picked for you every month? Join the Harvest Wine Club →
Header photo: Caroline Attwood on Unsplash
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