Court of Master Sommeliers Welcomes One New Master Sommelier

Nick Hetzel Named Master Sommelier

DALLAS, TX—(July 11, 2013) –Today, the Court of Master Sommeliers welcomes Nick Hetzel from Sage at Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas to the prestigious organization.

The Master Sommelier Diploma is considered the highest distinction a professional can attain in the fine wine and beverage industry, and to achieve the title of Master Sommelier is no easy feat. Candidates must have successfully passed the other three stages of the Court’s educational programs: the Introductory, Certified and Advanced Exams. As the final stage, the invitation-only Master Sommelier Diploma Exam consists of three sections, including a theory examination, blind tasting and practical service component, and candidates must receive passing scores in each category in order to earn the highly coveted title of Master Sommelier.

Held at the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas in Texas and sponsored by the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, the by-invitation exam was attempted by 70 individuals from 20 states and two countries.

“I heartily welcome Nick Hetzel to our organization,” said Greg Harrington, Chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. “On behalf of the entire Court, I want to deeply and sincerely applaud the efforts of all the candidates who had the courage to take the Masters’ Exam. It’s an honor to be in their presence, and just getting to the exam is an immense achievement. I look forward to continuing to be a part of the journeys of these amazing men and women, and I look forward to the day that each and every one of them achieves their goal of becoming a Master Sommelier.”

About the Court of Master Sommeliers
The Court of Master Sommeliers was established in England in 1977 to encourage improved standards of beverage knowledge and service in hotels and restaurants. The first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam to be held in the United States was in 1987. The title Master Sommelier marks the highest recognition of wine and spirits knowledge, beverage service abilities, and professionalism in the hospitality trade. Education was then, and remains today, the Court’s charter. There are four stages involved in attaining the top qualifications of Master Sommelier: 1) Introductory Sommelier Course; 2) Certified Sommelier Exam; 3) Advanced Sommelier Course; and 4) Master Sommelier Diploma. There are 134 professionals who have earned the title of Master Sommelier as part of the Americas chapter since the organization’s inception. Of those, 115 are men and 19 are women. There are 211 professionals worldwide who have received the title of Master Sommelier since the first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam. For more information, please visit www.mastersommeliers.org.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
C. MILAN COMMUNICATIONS AT 415-392-6600
OR THE COURT OF MASTER SOMMELIERS AT 707-255-5056