Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination

Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas has a four-level education and examination program, beginning with the Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination.

The Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination, offered in-person and online, introduces students to the Court of Master Sommeliers, the Court of Master Sommeliers Tasting Method, the Court of Master Sommeliers Service Standards, and is taught exclusively by Master Sommeliers.

Students attending the online course will have up to 180 days to complete the program and take the examination.

Pricing

Online Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination, wine NOT included: $599

• Wine Purchase Options:
  1. Introductory Sommelier Course Wine Kit offered by Master the World, official supplier of wine kits for the CMS-A online course - includes 18 (187 ml) wines: $300 w/discount code provided upon registration.
     NOTE: At this time, wine cannot be shipped internationally, outside of the continental US (with the exception of AK or HI), or to the following US states: AR, DE, KY, MS, RI, UT.
  2. Student may purchase their own wine for the course from a provided list of Suggested Wine List.

• Group Discounts - Contact Kathleen Lewis at klewis@mastersommeliers.org for details.

Create a Student ID Online Introductory Course Gift Certificate Online Schedule

Who Should Attend This Class

Registration for the online Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination is open to anyone 21 or over in the hospitality, wholesale, and retail sectors of the food and beverage industry, anyone considering a career as a professional sommelier, or anyone interested in learning more about wine.

Please see the Examination Site Policy that defines where a student may sit depending on geographic location and exam history. NOTE: The CMS-EU chapter does not recognize the Online Introductory Course & Examination as a prerequisite for the Certified Sommelier Examination.

Preparation

Online Course & Exam

• The online course is on-demand and self-paced study. Students can learn the information as quickly or as slowly as they would like and review sections at their own pace.
• Students have 180 days from the start date of the program to access course content and take the online exam.

Online Course Description and Details

Theory Lectures

• The online Introductory Sommelier Course is presented as a series of videos taught by Master Sommeliers. Each video lasts approximately 15-45 minutes, covering major wine growing regions of the world, along with beer, sake, and spirits. The Master Sommeliers will discuss food and beverage pairings with each subject as well as proper service. The videos are available on-demand for 180 days from the date of registration, allowing students to review the material at their convenience.  Closed captioning is available in English and Spanish.

Wine Tastings

• The online Introductory Sommelier Course features 18 wines presented in guided tastings using the Court of Master Sommeliers Tasting Method. Each wine is matched with a specific lecture topic, allowing students to link the theory of how the wine was made with how it tastes, while they practice describing it.  
• The final wine tasting of the course will feature an introduction to the Court of Master Sommeliers Deductive Tasting Method. 
• The students can choose one of two paths to procure the wines needed for the tastings in this class:

1. Purchase the Introductory Sommelier Course wine kit from Master the World, the official supplier of wine kits for the CMS-A online course.
   • The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, in collaboration with Master the World, is offering students a set of 18 bottles (187ml each) containing classic, archetypal wines. The selected wines highlight key attributes and unique characteristics to strengthen the correlation between theoretical knowledge, regional distinctions, and grape varietals.
   • Upon registration, students will receive an email containing instructions on how to purchase the wine kit through Master the World.
   • At this time, wine cannot be shipped internationally, outside of the continental US (with the exception of AK or HI), or to the following US states: AR, DE, KY, MS, RI, UT.
2. Purchase alternative wine
   • Students have the option to acquire their own wine selections. Please refer to the Suggested Wine List for examples. While the list offers guidance rather than an exhaustive inventory, students are not required to obtain the exact wines to participate fully in the course. Comparable alternatives within the same appellation or price range are acceptable.

Service, Hospitality, and Business of the Sommelier

• In addition to the theory lectures and wine tasting, an integral part of our curriculum is wine service, hospitality, and the business of the sommelier. Our instruction will include an introduction to wine service with guidance in restaurant service etiquette and the importance of hospitality.
• New to this program is an introduction to the business of the sommelier, which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the important role the sommelier plays in the success of a business, from its revenue and cost controls to its relationships.

Online Exam Description and Details

Online Introductory Sommelier Examination

• The examination consists of 70 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 45 minutes. A minimum score of 60% is required to earn the Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination certificate and lapel pin.

• The exam is administered online in a live-proctored environment monitored via webcam.

• Review the Online Introductory Sommelier Exam Guide for requirements to take the exam.

• ID Required: A valid government-issued photo identification (Passport, Driver’s License, Military ID, State ID) must be shown at the time of your exam. The name on your ID must match the name you use to register for this program.

• RETAKE POLICY: students who score less than 60% are eligible to retake the online examination for a fee of $125. Students must wait at least 14 days from their last attempt before retaking. To register to retake, contact info@mastersommeliers.org