Sommelier Levels

Posted by Keith Wallace

Nws Sommelier Levels

Sommelier Certification Levels

We offer the full repertoire of sommelier levels through the National Wine School (NWS). These programs are the same as those offered nationally through NWS and its affiliated schools and universities.

Level One Wine Certification (L1)

The major difference between us and most schools and universities is that we do not require the L1 program for students seeking sommelier credentials via NWS. However, the L1 program is an excellent stepping stone offered exclusively online. This is an excellent program for anyone seeking a basic “Wine 1`01” level of knowledge. This is also a popular option for staff training at restaurants and wineries.

Core Sommelier Pin

The Core Sommelier level is the most popular sommelier program in the United States. Thousands attend this program at wine schools, universities, and online. We run this program at the Wine School of Philadelphia four semesters a year.

Level Two Foundation (L2)

Although this is the first step toward your credentials, it is the most important. This is the class upon which all wine knowledge is built. This semester, your ability to taste wine is turned from a passion into a profession. This wine course can be taken in person or online.

Level Three Intermediate (L3)

The L3 wine course completes the Core Sommelier level. This program delivers core wine knowledge to the student. This program focuses on the major wine regions, cultures, and grapes that are key to all sommeliers and wine professionals. This sommelier level can be taken in-person or online.

Sommelier Pin

Advanced Sommelier Pin (L4)

To join this program, a student must first complete the Core Program.

The Advanced Program is not a single wine course but a series of sommelier levels culminating with the Advanced Sommelier Pin. The student must pass four Advanced or Master-level classes to complete this program. Students can also earn a Specialist Diploma in several fields of study.

Level Four Advanced

To earn the Advanced Sommelier Pin, the student must complete four more classes. This often takes a full year to complete and can include any class listed as “L4 Specialist Certification” or “L4 Elective.” The full selection of options is listed under “Available Courses” below.

These programs are typically taken in person, but there is a growing number of programs that are available online.

Level Four Specialist

The National Wine School offers four stand-alone Specialist Diplomas. The Wine Educator Diploma is required for anyone seeking to open a wine school or work as an authorized wine educator. The Winemaking Diploma is for anyone seeking to work as a winemaker and is seeking a hands-on professional program. The Spirits Specialist and the Beer Brewing Specialist Certifications are also offered.

Specialist programs can be taken as part of the Advanced Program or as individual certifications in conjunction with the prerequisite Core Sommelier program. Specialist programs must be taken in person.

Master in Wine Pin (L5)

This is the apex of all sommelier levels. The Master program has a series of requirements to guarantee the graduate has a command of all aspects of the wine trade.

The Master in Wine program overlaps with the Advanced program in what classes are offered. Some classes are an elective for L4 but are required for L5. By the time the student earns their Master in Wine pin, they have attended a minimum of ten classes: L2 Foundation, L3 Intermediate, and at least eight higher-level programs.

These higher-level programs are listed under “Qualifies for both Advanced and Master Pins” in the table below.

Level Five Required

Six required classes must be completed to earn the Master in Wine Pin. These are listed in the table below as “Required for L5.” However, up to four of these classes can be taken as part of your Advanced sommelier levels. These can be viewed under the “Available Courses” heading below.

Level Five Electives

The L5 sommelier level also requires two elective classes as well. Any program marked as an “Elective for L5” below can be taken.

Available Courses

This list includes all wine sommelier levels available in the United States, including the master sommelier levels.

Wine CourseCertification LevelStatus
Level One Wine CourseL1 CertificationRequired
Level Two Foundation CourseCore Sommelier PinRequired
Level Three Intermediate CourseCore Sommelier PinRequired
American Wine Specialist™Qualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsElective for L4, Required for L5
Italian Wine Specialist™Qualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsElective for L4, Required for L5
Spanish Wine Specialist™Qualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsElective for L4, Required for L5
French Wine Specialist™Qualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsElective for L4, Required for L5
Food & Wine Scholar™Qualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsElective for L4, Required for L5
Essential Master in Wine™Qualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsElective for L4, Required for L5
Winemaker CertificationQualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsL4 Specialist Certification, Elective for L5
Wine Educator CertificationQualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsL4 Specialist Certification, Elective for L5
Specialist in Spirits™Qualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsElective for L4, Elective for L5
Advanced Beer Brewing™Qualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsElective for L4, Elective for L5
German Wine Specialist™.Qualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsElective for L4, Elective for L5
Scholar of Modern Wine™Qualifies for both Advanced and Master PinsElective for L4, Elective for L5

Sommelier Levels Explained by AI

We asked ChatGPT to explain our sommelier levels. Here is their response! Please keep in mind this is not entirely accurate!

Robot Sommelier

The sommelier certification program at the National Wine School is a comprehensive wine education program designed to prepare students for a career as a sommelier or wine professional. The program is divided into several levels, starting with the Introductory Sommelier Certificate and progressing to the Advanced Sommelier Certificate.

The Introductory Sommelier Certificate is designed for those new to the world of wine or with limited wine knowledge. It covers the basics of wine production, grape varieties, wine regions, wine-tasting techniques, and wine and food pairing.

The Core Certified Sommelier Certificate is the next level of the program and is geared toward those who are serious about pursuing a career in the wine industry. It covers more advanced topics such as blind tasting and key wine regions.

The Advanced Sommelier Certificate is the second-highest level of the program. It is designed for those already working in the wine industry and looking to further their knowledge and expertise. It covers advanced topics such as wine tasting, wine and food pairing, winemaking, and wine business management.

To complete each level of the sommelier certification program, students must pass either a written, practical, or project-based exam. The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions designed to test the student’s knowledge of wine production, wine regions, and wine-tasting techniques. The practical exam is a blind tasting of six wines, during which the student must identify each wine’s grape variety, region, and vintage.

Upon successful completion of the Advanced Sommelier Certificate, students are eligible to enter for the Master in Wine program. This is a highly respected and coveted certification in the wine industry.

Overall, the sommelier certification program at the National Wine School is a rigorous and comprehensive program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed as a sommelier or wine professional.

Is the National Wine School better than the Court of Master Sommeliers?

According to ChatGPT

It is not accurate to say that one organization is “better” than the other. Both the National Wine School and the Court of Master Sommeliers are highly respected institutions in the wine industry and offer excellent education and training programs for those interested in pursuing a career as a sommelier or wine professional.

The National Wine School is a wine education institution that offers a variety of wine education programs, including the sommelier certification program. The sommelier certification program at the National Wine School is a comprehensive program that covers a wide range of topics related to wine production, wine regions, wine-tasting techniques, wine service, and wine and food pairing. The program is divided into several levels, starting with the Introductory Sommelier Certificate and progressing to the Advanced Sommelier Certificate.

The Court of Master Sommeliers is a professional organization that administers the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam, which is a highly respected and coveted certification in the wine industry. The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is a rigorous and comprehensive exam that covers a wide range of topics related to wine production, wine regions, wine tasting techniques, wine service, and wine and food pairing. Only a small percentage of those who take the exam are successful in achieving the Master Sommelier Diploma.

In summary, both the National Wine School and the Court of Master Sommeliers offer excellent education and training programs for those interested in pursuing a career in the wine industry. It is not accurate to say that one organization is “better” than the other.

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