CMS-A Sommelier Directory
The CMS-A Sommelier Directory is designed for individuals, employers, and establishments seeking to verify the authenticity of sommelier certifications. Whether you are a restaurant owner in the process of hiring for your staff or a wine enthusiast curious about a specific sommelier’s credentials, our verification system promptly confirms the legitimacy of their certification.
Discover sommeliers with skill sets ranging from foundational knowledge in Introductory Sommeliers to deep expertise in Advanced and Master Sommeliers, helping you make informed decisions that suit your establishment’s needs or desired guest experience. Please refer to the descriptions below to match each certification level with the associated skills.
Introductory Sommelier
- General appreciation of the breadth of global beverage alcohol offerings
- Basic knowledge of wine across major wine regions
- Introductory knowledge of deductive tasting and describing classic wines
- Foundational understanding of food pairings
Certified Sommelier
- Intermediate knowledge of wines, wine regions, and winemaking styles
- Intermediate knowledge of spirits, beer, cocktails, liqueurs, cordials, aperitifs, and digestifs
- Proficiency in tableside service, including still and sparkling wine pouring
- Food and wine pairing salesmanship
- Basic financial program management
Advanced Sommelier
- Advanced theoretical knowledge of wine, including history, wine regions, winemaking techniques, blind tasting, and food and wine knowledge
- Advanced proficiency in formal beverage service, including: Still, Sparkling, Red Wine decanting, beer, after dinner and glass pour service
- In depth knowledge of food and wine pairings, spirits, beer, cocktails, liqueurs, cordials, aperitifs, and digestifs
- Expertise in wine business strategies
- Comprehensive understanding of Benchmark Producers and Vintages in principal wine regions
- Beverage program management, including Wine and Beverage List content and layout; Cellar organization, purchasing, and inventory systems
- Financial management of a beverage program, including cost controls
- Advanced salesmanship skills
Master Sommelier
- Mastery of theoretical knowledge, including history, wine regions, winemaking techniques, blind tasting, and food and wine knowledge
- Expertise in every alcoholic beverage
- Expert knowledge of food and wine pairings, spirits, beer, cocktails, liqueurs, cordials, aperitifs, and digestifs
- World-class proficiency in formal beverage service
- Masterful salesmanship ability
- Comprehensive beverage program management, including: Wine and Beverage List content, design, purchasing for programs of any concept, including multi-unit programming; Creation and implementation of training and education; Financial management of all aspects of a beverage program, including C-suite level financial fluency, P&L proficiency, large scale purchasing and negotiation; Marketing and brand positioning
