Sommelier Certification

December 22, 2008 12:19 PM

I'd like to begin the process of becoming a master sommelier. Is there any course that's the industry standard? What's the most respected?
posted by sarelicar to Food & Drink (5 answers total)

Typically, if you want to work as a sommelier, the most respected organization is the Court of Master Sommeliers. You might also think about becoming a Master of Wine, but that certification started out being for importers and merchants.
posted by purpleclover at 12:54 PM on December 22, 2008

(The test to become a Master of Wine is also more difficult than the one to become a master sommelier.)
posted by purpleclover at 12:57 PM on December 22, 2008

Read Andrea Immer's bio.
posted by Zambrano at 12:58 PM on December 22, 2008

A couple of winery owners have told me that the oenology programs at UC Davis and UC Sacramento were very, very good.
posted by Thistledown at 1:51 PM on December 22, 2008

Are you interested in sommelier service or in the wine knowledge? CMS and the ISG (international sommelier's guild) are both more service oriented. the WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) is a bit geekier. the MW program can only be entered after 5+ years in the industry and completing the diploma level of either ISG or WSET, at least as far as memory serves. In my experience MW's are much cooler than Master Sommelier's, who have all acted as though something rigid is lodged up their rear ends, and have had egos disproportionate to their knowledge/experience. Then again, that tends to be the wine industry...
posted by melogranato at 4:01 PM on December 22, 2008