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Sommelier 101
What is a Sommelier Certification?
Sommelier certification originated in restaurants but has since expanded beyond those boundaries, becoming the standard credential for the entire wine trade. No matter the wine job you aspire to, a sommelier certification is typically required. The move away from requiring a university education began in the 2010s due to a shortage of winemakers. Previously, a master’s degree in viticulture from prestigious institutions like the University of California at Davis was common. However, with limited graduates, companies naturally began seeking talent elsewhere.
Sommelier Certification Process
To become a sommelier, follow these essential steps:
- Find a reputable wine school offering professional wine courses.
- Register for a course suited to your knowledge level, such as the Core Sommelier program.
- Attend professional wine classes covering winemaking, tasting, and wine regions.
- Pass the sommelier exam to demonstrate your expertise.
- Earn your certification with an L3 sommelier certification, marking your professional journey’s start.
Sommelier Certifications Levels
There are five levels of sommelier certification. Completing up to level three grants you a sommelier pin. For the Advanced Sommelier pin, you must complete Level Four, and for the Master-level pin, Level Five is required. Some agencies use trademarked terms for these levels, like the “Master Sommelier” trademark by the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS).
| LEVEL | TRADE NAMES | CORE COMPETENCY |
|---|---|---|
| L1 (Level One) | Level One Certification (NWS) Introductory Sommelier Certificate (CMS), Award in Wines (WSET) | Basic Wine Knowledge. Some schools do not require this for in-person classes. |
| L2 (Level Two) | Foundation Certificate (NWS), Award in Wines and Spirits (WSET) | Blind Tasting Proficiency (NWS) Beginner Wine Knowledge (WSET) |
| L3 (Level Three) | Certified Sommelier (NWS and CMS) | Comprehension of all major wine regions, wine laws, and varietals. |
| L4 (Level Four) | Advanced Sommelier (NWS and CMS) | Advanced knowledge of terroir, history, and winemaking. |
| L5 (Level Five) | Master in Wine Studies (NWS), Master Sommelier (CMS), and Master of Wine (WSET) | Comprehensive knowledge of wine and ability to perform at an executive level. |
Choosing the Right Sommelier Credential
Sommelier Accreditation
There are three major credentialing agencies in the United States, each with strengths and weaknesses, though their certifications are similar.
- Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET): This company offers a franchise model for wine programming, providing “wine awards” rather than sommelier certification.
- National Wine School (NWS): Originally university-only, it now offers online and select in-person programs and offers sommelier certification up to the master’s Level.
- Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS): A well-respected institution that established the concept of a Master Sommelier, though it has faced recent controversies and politicization.
Other reputable programs include the Society of Wine Educators, the North American Sommelier Association, the International Sommelier Guild, and the International Wine Guild.
Picking Your Sommelier School
Wine education has been prominent in American cities since the 1980s. There are about a hundred wine schools across the U.S., with SOMM providing a comprehensive listing. Given the minimal government regulation over wine education, consider the following before investing in your education:
- Have they been in business for over five years?
- Does the school offer one of the top three credentials?
- Do they have a brick-and-mortar facility?
The Best Wine Schools in the United States
There are many wine schools, but according to SOMM, the two top-ranked in the United States are the Napa Valley Wine Academy and the Wine School of Philadelphia.
Online Sommelier Courses
According to Philip Brandeis of the National Wine School, online sommelier programs have surged in popularity, with more students enrolling in these programs than in-person ones. In 2023, 354 students graduated from the Advanced Sommelier program, while 378 completed the online program. Innovations such as the coravin system for tasting wine without opening bottles, customizable wine aroma kits, and high-definition streaming for audio/visual content have made online learning more feasible and appealing.
Some programs, like WSET, have not kept up with these advancements, relying on long PowerPoint presentations and lacking a learning management system (LMS).
Alternative Paths
While formal wine education and certification are the most direct routes, alternative paths to becoming a sommelier include:
- Self-education through books, wine magazines, and tastings.
- Joining wine clubs and networking at industry events.
- Gaining experience in the hospitality industry by starting in entry-level positions.
- Seeking mentorship from established sommeliers.
- Participating in online communities and forums to learn from experienced professionals.
These paths require significant time investment and may not offer the same recognition or opportunities as formal certification.
Become a Sommelier: Most Asked Questions
- What is a wine expert called? Depending on their background and education, wine experts may be called sommeliers, winemakers, or simply wine enthusiasts.
- How much do sommeliers make? Salaries vary widely, with restaurant sommeliers earning $40K to $100K and higher-level sommeliers earning low six figures in distribution or import companies.
- What does a sommelier do? Sommeliers manage wine programs for restaurants and may work in tech startups, wine magazines, wineries, and import companies.
- What is a sommelier diploma? Issued by accredited agencies, sommelier diplomas include Certified Sommelier, Advanced Sommelier, and Master Sommelier levels.
- What is a sommelier test? Each certification level requires passing an exam, often including a blind-tasting component.
- What is a Certified Sommelier? Those who pass both Level Two and Level Three exams can use this title.
- What is an Advanced Sommelier? An Advanced Sommelier must identify major grape varietals and wine regions in a blind tasting and have at least one year of formal training.
- What is the Master Sommelier Exam? The highest-level exam in the wine service profession is known as the Level 5 Sommelier Exam.
- How much does it cost to be a Master Sommelier? Costs vary by agency, with NWS charging $6,600 for the full in-person program from L1 to L5 and CMS charging $4,783 for exams only. Additional hidden costs may exceed $20K.
- What does WSET stand for? Wine and Spirit Education Trust is a major certifying body for sommeliers and wine professionals.
- What is the CSW exam? Certified Specialist of Wine Exam by the Society of Wine Educators.
- How long does it take to become a sommelier? It can take as little as a week (Accelerated Core Program) to five years (Master Sommelier, CMS).
“Varietal” is an adjective. The type of grape is “variety.”
It’s also a noun.
The Master Sommelier and the Master of Wine are two entirely different tracks – both pinnacles of the profession. Master Somms (MS) have achieved the pinnacle of success in the wine industry, geared toward service. Masters of Wine (MWs) have obtained the highest pinnacle of achievement in the wine industry in general. MWs and students of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) are a diverse group – winemakers, wine educators, wine buyers, viticulturalists, writers and business people. And yes, some sommeliers. The program is extremely rigorous and academic. A few rare talents have managed to achieve both the MS and the MW title. BTW, the IMW is a separate organization from WSET!
I would find fault in calling either the Master of Wine or Master Sommelier as the pinnacle of the wine trade. An MS (Master of Science) from the University of California at Davis is a far greater achievement.
I’d like to point out that IMW, WSET, and CMS are agencies that cover the same material and offer certifications based on industry standards. Under US law, their certifications are undifferentiated.