Bartending is an art form that requires practice, skill and care. Just like chefs and their knives, bartenders rely on tools all throughout their shift. Bartending requires a level of skill and precision that has dramatically increased over the years, along with a variety of tools that help make the job possible. There are essential…
What Is a WSET Diploma?
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is a global organization that provides best-in-class education and qualifications in the field of wine, spirits and sake to inspire and empower the world’s wine and spirits professionals and enthusiasts. One of the key reasons for its creation was to provide a systematic approach to tasting wine across…
How Many Levels Are There in the Court of Master Sommeliers?
The Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) sets the global standard of excellence for beverage service within the hospitality industry with integrity, exemplary knowledge, and humility. CMS was established to improve and elevate the quality of beverage knowledge and service throughout the hospitality industry. CMS teaches students about all beverages: wine, spirits, beer, cider and sake.…
What Is an Advanced Sommelier?
Anyone who works directly with wine in a restaurant setting can label themselves a sommelier without any certification; however, a certified sommelier is far more desirable than someone claiming to know about wine. A certified sommelier requires some level of formal education, training and experience—and earning certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) is…
What Is a Certified Sommelier?
A sommelier is a highly trained and knowledgeable wine professional, but a Certified Sommelier is someone who has passed the Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier Examination. Having a formal education or certification is not required to earn the title of sommelier, and it is not a protected title like that of a doctor or…
What Is an Introductory Sommelier?
A sommelier, or wine steward, is a highly trained and knowledgeable wine professional. A sommelier normally works in fine restaurants and is someone who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food pairing. Having a formal education or certification is not required to earn the title of sommelier. However, to…
What’s the Difference Between a Master of Wine and a Master Sommelier?
For decades, both the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) and the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) have represented the world’s highest level of training regarding wine along with some of the world’s most difficult exams. Each program plays a crucial role in increasing wine knowledge and tasting skills as well as improving the standards…
How Does Someone Become a Master of Wine?
The London-based Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) has for decades represented the world’s highest level of training regarding wine. The program culminates in successful candidates receiving the coveted title Master of Wine. Master of Wine (MW) is a qualification, not an academic degree, and is generally regarded in the wine industry as one of…
How Does Someone Become a Master Sommelier?
A Master Sommelier is the highest achievable level for wine professionals. While having a degree is not required to become a Master Sommelier, certifications are needed due to the extensive wine knowledge and advanced wine tasting skills required. The title of Master Sommelier is earned through the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) after passing the…
What Are the Different Certifications Offered by the Court of Master Sommeliers?
The Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) was established to improve and elevate the quality of beverage knowledge and service throughout the hospitality industry. CMS expands the rich heritage of its organization through mentorship, rigorous preparation and examination along with charting the course for current and future Master Sommeliers worldwide. The first successful Master Sommelier examination…
What Are the Different Levels and Certifications Offered by WSET?
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is a global organization that provides best-in-class education and qualifications in the field of wine, spirits and sake to inspire and empower the world’s wine and spirits professionals and enthusiasts. One of the key reasons for the WSET’s creation was to provide a systematic approach to tasting wine…
What’s the Difference Between the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and the Court of Master Sommeliers?
There are many institutions that offer certificates in wine education; however, there are only a handful of highly recognized programs to prove someone’s in-depth knowledge of wine. All the different schools specialize in honing different skills, whether the goal is to have a career as a wine expert or simply to expand one’s knowledge of…
What Is the International Sommelier Guild?
The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) brings together the resources of the top educators, winemakers, industry leaders, premier restaurateurs, wine merchants, wineries and writers who all share a common goal to provide the world’s finest, most complete Sommelier education. Established in 1982, the ISG has grown from its North American roots to become a truly global…
What Is the Society of Wine Educators?
The Society of Wine Educators (SWE) is a membership-based nonprofit organization that provides wine and spirits education. SWE focuses on training individuals who are interested in teaching others about wine and spirits and has a mission to set the standard for quality and responsible wine and spirits education and professional certification. SWE began in 1977…
What Is the Wine Scholar Guild?
The Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) provides specialized certification programs on the wines of France, Italy and Spain for wine professionals as well as seasoned amateurs. WSG’s mission is to provide outstanding educational programming for the professional development of wine industry members and committed students of wine. WSG was conceived by Julien Camus in 2005. While…