Certified Sommelier Practice Exam

Which flavor is NOT typically associated with Chardonnay?

1. Soft cheese rind

2. Butter

3. Brown sugar

4. Golden apple

The correct answer is: Brown sugar

Chardonnay is known for its wide range of flavors, largely influenced by factors such as terroir, winemaking techniques, and whether the wine is oaked or unoaked. The typical flavors associated with Chardonnay include notes of butter, which comes from malolactic fermentation, golden apple, a common fruit flavor in many Chardonnays, and soft cheese rind, which is sometimes found in more complex, aged Chardonnays. Brown sugar, while it can be found in some dessert wines or sweet wines, is not a flavor commonly identified in Chardonnay. The flavor profile of Chardonnay generally leans more towards fresh fruits, creamy textures, and sometimes hints of oak rather than the sweet, caramelized quality that brown sugar conveys. Thus, identifying brown sugar as the flavor not typically associated with Chardonnay is accurate within the context of the classic characteristics of this varietal.