Sommelier Certification Levels

This is the level most professionals aspire to.

Sommelier certification levels. The court of master sommeliers americas has a four level education and examination program beginning with the introductory sommelier course concluding with a written theory examination. The introductory sommelier course introduces candidates to the court of master sommeliers the court of master sommeliers deductive tasting method and the court of master sommeliers service standards. The four certifications must be completed sequentially. Often known as an advanced certificate this is the equivalent of a sommelier degree.

Level numbers dont form part of the certification names but rather denote the sequence in which they are completed. To achieve a level four certificate expect to invest a minimum of two years. Sommelier levels refer to the four sommelier certifications which can be completed with the court of master sommeliers. The highest level of certification for sommeliers and very difficult to acquire.

The master sommeliers also demonstrated how a professional wine and champagne service should be conducted. The mw used to be like a level 6 as there was at one point a level 5 honors with the wset but theyve done away with that and those who do well in level 4 will be invited to consider starting the master of wine program. Although the level 1 certification doesnt include a blind tasting exam the instructors were preparing us for the level 2 testing which does. Level 4 of cms is the master sommelier while the master of wine would be something like level 5 in wset terms.

We break them down for you.