The Court of Master Sommeliers is dedicated to advancing knowledge of wines owned by sommeliers from around the world.
A master sommelier is a person who has undergone four levels of sommelier training to obtain an MS Diploma. This diploma is awarded to candidates selected by the Court of Master Sommeliers, which was founded in 1977. This group of Master Sommeliers conducts training programs and conducts examinations for those who wish to become sommeliers at any level.
Master Sommeliers must be familiar with a variety of wines.
Before becoming a master sommelier, candidates must first take an introductory course followed by a basic exam. This course is offered in North America and Europe. The introductory course covers all aspects of a sommelier’s duties, including viticulture, viniculture, and various production methods.
Once the introductory course has been successfully completed, students must pass a certificate level, which covers all the materials studied during the introductory course, plus additional detailed material related to wine and winemaking. Nearly sixty-five percent of all students applying for certification pass the exam. Those who complete the certificate exam can proceed to the advanced stage.
Aspiring sommeliers can take wine courses to become certified so they can serve as wine managers in restaurants and hotels.
As with the introductory exam and the certificate exam, the advanced course and exam delve even deeper into the wine process. The advanced course is fast-paced and aimed at those who fully understand the intricacies of wine. To pass the advanced course, you must take a two-day exam that includes three parts.
The first part of the advanced exam consists of a written exam. The second part consists of a blind tasting judged by a master sommelier, and the third part consists of a service exam that is judged by a panel of master sommelier. To complete the last part of the exam, students must serve wine, suggest wines and pairings, and discuss six wines in less than 25 minutes. Only twenty-five percent of people who make it to the advanced course stage pass this exam.
Those who have passed the advanced stage do not necessarily become master sommeliers. A Master Sommelier candidate must be invited by the Court of Master Sommeliers to appear for a verbal examination. This exam is conducted before a panel of judges and consists of complex questions related to wine regions and wine production. Candidates who fail any section of this exam may retake it within three years. Since the Master’s Exam was developed almost thirty-three years ago, only one hundred and forty-two people have passed this exam. Therefore, the term master sommelier is a well-deserved title.