Court of Master Sommeliers

The Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) is an educational organisation established in April 1977 to encourage improved standards of beverage service by sommeliers, particularly in wine and food pairing. From the court's inception through 2018, a worldwide total of 274 people have earned its Master Sommelier diploma, the highest level.[3]

Court of Master Sommeliers
FormationApril 1977 (1977-04)[1]
PurposeExamination board
HeadquartersTorquay, UK[2]
Region
Worldwide
Ronan Sayburn[2]
Gerard Basset[2]
Websitecourtofmastersommeliers.org

History

The first Master Sommelier examination was held in the United Kingdom in 1969; the Court of Master Sommeliers was later established as an international examining body for sommeliers. It was set up under the supervision of the Vintners Company, The Institute of Masters of Wine, The British Hotels & Restaurants Association, The Wine & Spirit Association of Great Britain, and The Wholesale Tobacco Trade Association.[4]

In 1984, Fred Dame was the first person ever to pass all three parts of the Master Sommelier examination at once, which is called "winning the Krug Cup".[5][6][7]

In 1986 the first Master Sommelier exams were held in the United States. The American chapter of the CMS was established under the name Court of Master Sommeliers Americas, and also conducts exams and workshops in Canada.[8]

In 2018, the Court of Master Sommeliers invalidated the results of the tasting portion of the exam and rescinded the MS title from 23 of the 24 who were awarded the MS title.[9] A proctor for the exam gave at least one candidate information about the wines used in the exam.[3]

In October 2020, The New York Times revealed a pattern of sexual harassment among members of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. In response, the body made a statement in support of those who spoke up, though it omitted mention of increased transparency or investigations. Public feedback to the response was negative. In November, the court issued an apology to the women named in the article in the Times. It also announced the suspensions of seven of its Master Sommeliers pending further investigation, and the resignation of another Master Sommelier. Those suspended include Fred Dame, a co-founder of the group.[10]

Education and certification

The court has four stages of certification that grow in depth and complexity with each stage.[11] Those who achieve a particular stage are awarded a certificate and badge on the same day as the exam.

Introductory

Open to anyone with several years experience in the restaurant industry, this level consists of two days of classes followed by a multiple choice exam that typically has a low failure rate. Topics covered include but are not limited to: winemaking basics, grape varieties, the major wine regions, wine and food pairing, and the very basic details of beer, sake, and liquors. Passing the Introductory Sommelier Course does not confer the "sommelier" professional title.[12] Persons passing the exam receive an “Introductory” lapel pin and certificate.

Certified Sommelier

This stage was created in 2006 to bridge the gap between the Introductory and Advanced levels.[13] It is only open to those who have passed the Introductory course and examination, and focuses a great deal more on service and more in-depth knowledge of the world of wine. The exam has three parts: theoretical consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions, a written blind tasting of four wines (two white and two red), and service. The minimum score to pass is 60%.[14] [15] The Court of Master Sommeliers America reports that on average 66% of applicants pass the Certified Examination.[16]

Advanced Sommelier

Testing for the Advanced Sommelier certificate requires candidates to have passed the Certified exam and taken the Advanced Sommelier Course. In the United States, the three day Advanced Course is offered twice per year and requires the candidate to first submit an application and take a timed knowledge survey which is then followed by the exam at a different date. For the European chapter, the course and exam are done in one, five-day sitting. The Court generally recommends 1–2 years of preparation after successfully passing the Certified exam. The Advanced exam is generally offered three times per year but differs in frequency between the American and European chapters. Candidates must be working and living in one region or the other to sit the exam there.

Often referred to as the "Mini Master", there is a heavier emphasis on service and a more intimate knowledge of all wine styles, regions and wine producers themselves. The examination is a written test with multiple choice and 60 short answer questions, a blind tasting of 6 wines in 25 minutes, and a 45 minute service test. The minimum pass mark is 60% in each section, and all three sections must be passed together.[17]

Master Sommelier

Those who wish to take the Master Sommelier exam must have passed the Advanced exam, be invited and/or recommended to sit the exam and have typically worked in the industry for at least 10 years. The exam covers all aspects of the world and industry of wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, and hospitality from a business, service and philosophical approach. The three part, oral exam consists of theory (must be passed before taking the other two parts), blind tasting six wines before a panel, and service; the three sections do not need be attempted at once. It is allowed to take the blind tasting and service exam in successive years. Once the first portion is passed, a candidate has a three year window, starting with the first attempt, to pass all three portions i.e. a candidate can pass one part each year for about three consecutive years and successfully become a Master Sommelier. If all three parts are not passed in the three year window the candidate resets to zero and must retake all parts. The minimum score for each of the three sections to pass is 75% at the Master Sommelier level.[18] The typical pass rate at the Master Sommelier exam is around 3–8% of applicants; in some instances as few as 1 in 70 have succeeded.[19][20] The Master Sommelier exam is offered twice per year in the US and once per year in the UK. On average candidates sit for the exam two to three times, and some take the test as many as six times.[21] Only nine people have ever passed the Master level on the first try. Some attempt the exam up to a dozen times before passing.

In 2020, the American branch of the court removed the single term "master" from its title-ship, instead adopting the full term "master sommelier" to cultivate diversity and reducing racism.[22]

Notable Master Sommeliers

See also

References
  1. There are only 229 Master Sommeliers in the world — here's how one 27-year-old worked his way into this exclusive club Jacquelyn Smith, Business Insider, 25 June 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2019
  2. "The Board". Court of Master Sommeliers. Archived from the original on 18 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  3. "Sommelier scandal a setback for Pappas wine director". HoustonChronicle.com. 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  4. Robinson, Jancis, jancisrobinson.com (June 29, 2005). "Master Sommeliers – who are they?".
  5. Master Sommelier Fred Dame: Best Job In The World PAUL HODGINS, MARCH 23, 2016
  6. Master Sommelier Frederick L. Dame San Diego Wine Classic
  7. The roast of master sommelier Fred Dame Jordan Winery, May 2014
  8. Official page
  9. Hernandez, Joseph (2018-10-10). "Scandal in wine world: 23 new Master Sommeliers stripped of titles after cheating discovered". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  10. Elite Wine Group Suspends Master Sommeliers The New York Times, Julia Moskin, November 3, 2020
  11. "Court of Master Sommeliers Qualifications".
  12. "Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory".
  13. Taking the Court of Master Sommeliers Level 2 – Certified Sommelier Exam
  14. "Certified Sommelier". Court of Master Sommeliers.
  15. Certified Sommelier Examination
  16. Certified Sommelier Examination mastersommeliers.org
  17. "Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced".
  18. "Master Sommelier Diploma". Court of Master Sommeliers.
  19. 10 REASONS THE MASTER SOMMELIER TEST IS THE HARDEST IN THE WORLD LYNNE LAVELLE, thrillist.com, 11/06/2015
  20. Pass Rate in Latest Master Sommelier Exam: 1 in 70 Rebecca Gibb, 17 July 2013
  21. World's Toughest Test? The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, June 24, 2013
  22. Morales, Christina (2020-06-22). "Prestigious Wine Organization Drops Use of Term 'Master'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
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