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 lawyer. However, to take this route takes a long time, is far from guaranteed, and will not give someone an advantage against other sommelier candidates. And while restaurants are not required to employ a sommelier with credentials, the better restaurants understand the value of doing so.
The Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) has a four-level education and examination program. After students pass the Level 1 Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination, they are able to progress to the Level 2 Certified Sommelier Examination. To become a sommelier through the CMS, three areas of study are routinely tested through the four levels of certification: wine theory, wine tasting and wine service.
Level 1 is designed to introduce students to the three basic fields of study for a wine professional, but the Level 2 Certified Sommelier demands candidates demonstrate proficiency in them. The Certified Sommelier Examination focuses on a candidate’s ability to demonstrate proficiency in deductive tasting, wine & beverage theory, and both technical as well as salesmanship skills in table-side service.
The CMS Certified Sommelier level strongly recommends that candidates have a minimum of three years’ experience in the wine/service industry and that they have passed the Introductory Sommelier level within the past three years. If it has been longer (up to five years), they’ll need the written recommendation of a Master Sommelier mentor. Students are expected to arrive already knowing all the material which they are assigned prior to the examination.
The Certified Examination is more of a hybrid between the Introductory and the Advanced levels, as it was not created until December 2005. CMS created Level 2 as a way to guide people along the path to the Advanced level and also aid them as the pass rate for that exam was extremely low prior to the Certified being offered.
The Certified Sommelier Examination is a one-day examination with three sections. In the tasting examination, candidates must describe and identify four wines (two white and two red) to the best of their ability. This is a written tasting that must be completed in 30 minutes. The theory examination tests candidates’ knowledge and understanding of the world of wine, beverage and the sommelier trade.
The test consists of multiple choice, short answer, simple math, and matching questions. Candidates must complete the 45-question examination within 35 minutes. Candidates must complete the 45-question examination within 35 minutes and achieve a minimum of 60% on each section within one sitting. Successful candidates will receive a certificate and lapel pin signifying their status as a Certified Sommelier.
The CMS program is service-oriented and includes practical training in beverage and wine service and professional tasting and is targeted towards individuals who want to work in the hospitality industry. A Certified Sommelier has various responsibilities, such as building the wine list, creating food and wine pairings, managing the wine portfolio, monitoring the financial aspects, providing advice to patrons and training staff.
Becoming a Certified Sommelier is the next step in someone making their way up through the industry—and also makes them eligible for the Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination.