So you think you want to be a Master Sommelier? Love a good, strong grape drink, do you? Got a knack for socializing and selling? Have a deep understanding of the globe’s most renowned vineyards and fermented products? Able to activate your spidey-senses to identify wines without looking at a label?
If you answered “yes” to all of these without hesitation or any stretch of the imagination, maybe you do have a calling as the ultimate wine connoisseur.
But that’s a big “maybe.”
What does it take to become a Master Sommelier?
Despite recent controversy over ‘easy’ acquisition of a Master Sommelier Diploma, officially becoming the guru who takes the guesswork out of what goes great with certain types of food at an upscale restaurant is no cake-walk.
While legal age is certainly a factor for the sommelier role since wine tasting is involved, there are no formal requirements in the U.S. to dictate who can and cannot be employed as a sommelier. However! The exquisite world of fine wine places an exponentially high value on credentials. So without proper training, test-taking, and title acquisition, even the sharpest wine-tasting skill set and library of knowledge holds little water.
Sommelier certification is a venture that takes years to achieve. And these years involve copious amounts of hands-on experience in the hospitality industry, as well as several examinations requiring diligent study, practical application, and skillful demonstration in order to climb through the sommelier levels and join the ranks of the Masters.
(Master Sommeliers, that is — not to be confused with Masters of Wine, who are typically non-restaurant industry professionals like writers, winemakers, or hobbyists/enthusiasts who have been awarded a more theoretically-focused vino achievement.)
Sommelier Levels I-IV: Can You Hack It?
If you want to take your love of wine and your front-of-house experience in the food and beverage industry to the next level (literally), there are some prestigious hoops to jump through. Four, to be exact (and yes, these progressive hoops are actually called “levels”); each one a tighter squeeze than its predecessor.
Don’t believe it? Here are four reasons why you should, straight from the supreme wine source, The Court of Master Sommeliers:
- Only 140 professionals hold a Master Sommelier Diploma in North America.
- Worldwide, just 219 professionals hold a Master Sommelier Diploma.
- The pass rate for Level I, II, and III Examinations is 25-30%.
- The Master Sommelier (Level IV) Exam pass rate is 10%.
Clearly, that’s some pretty stiff competition. But if you train tough, study hard, and know your stuff, you can be one of the wine world’s elite.
Here is a brief summary of what is expected at each level of sommelier achievement.
Sommelier Level I: Introductory Sommelier
- Course length: 2 days.
- Course overview: Wine-growing regions of the globe; information on beer, spirits, and sake; proper wine service and etiquette; blind tasting methodology.
- Exam prerequisites: 3 years past experience in wine service recommended (not mandatory).
- Exam attire: Professional (service attire) encouraged.
- Exam length: 70 multiple-choice questions.
- Knowledge/skills tested: (a) World’s wine-producing regions; (b) expertise in buying, selling and discussing alcoholic beverages; (c) elements of wine (quality, flaws, etc.).
- Blind wine tasting: Not included in this level’s exam.
- Pass score requirement: 60%.
- This level of examination is a prerequisite for attempting Levels II-IV. Passing does not qualify one as a “Certified Sommelier.”
Sommelier Level II: Certified Sommelier
- Course length: No classroom time involved at this level; exam performance is dependent on personal prep regarding study, on-job practice, and wine tasting.
- Course overview: N/A.
- Exam prerequisites: Passing of Level I Introductory Sommelier Exam within last 3 years (or last 5 years, with recommendation of a Master Sommelier).
- Exam attire: Professional; service attire.
- Exam length: 1-day exam with 3 tests: (1) blind tasting test of two wines, (2) written theory test, and (3) practical service test.
- Knowledge tested: (a) Beverage service protocol; (b) food and wine pairing; (c) cocktails and spirits; (d) aperitives and digestives; (e) fortified and dessert wines; (f) proper service temperature of beverages; (g) communication, buying and selling of beverages.
- Written theory test: 40 questions (multiple-choice, matching and short answer)
- Service test: Standard wine, champagne, and decanting service (in conjunction with above-mentioned knowledge); ability to communicate and sell.
- Blind wine tasting test: 15 minutes to evaluate two wines for time period, grape varieties, country of origin, district and appellation of origin.
- Pass score requirement: 60% on each section.
- This “Certified Sommelier” title is typically considered the minimum qualification held by a food and beverage (wine) professional working a restaurant floor.
Sommelier Level III: Advanced Sommelier
- This series requires a “passing” status, in order to be considered to sit for the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination.
- Course length: 3-days, taken 2 months prior to exam dates. (Exam not included in course; exam is by invite only and must be scheduled separately).
- Course overview: Deep exploration of standards of beverage service and sales.
- Exam prerequisites: Invitation only, after applying to the exam, having passed exams for Levels I (Introductory Sommelier) & II (Certified Sommelier). Extensive experience (3-5 years) in front-of-house restaurant beverage service is given preference.
- Exam attire: Professional; service attire.
- Exam length: 3-day exam with 3 tests: (1) blind tasting test of six wines, (2) written theory test, and (3) practical service and salesmanship test.
- Knowledge/skills tested: Deep theoretical comprehension of global wine industry; considered immensely more challenging than the Level II exam.
- Service test: Beverage service and salesmanship in dining room setting.
- Blind wine tasting test: Deductive evaluation of six wines for time period, grape varieties, country of origin, district and appellation of origin.
- Pass score requirement: 60% on each section.
- For more information regarding examination circumstances, it's advisable to consult The Court of Master Sommeliers.
Sommelier Level IV: Master Sommelier Diploma
- Course length: N/A.
- Course overview: N/A. (Exam performance is dependent on personal prep regarding study, on-job practice, and wine tasting)
- Exam prerequisites: Invitation only, after submitting an intent for taking the exam, having passed Level III (Advanced Sommelier) Exam. Those with extensive experience (5+ years) in front-of-house restaurant beverage service are given invitational preference.
- Exam attire: Professional; service attire, including tools required to carry out all sommelier duties.
- Exam length: Multi-day exam with 3 tests; (1) oral theory test, (2) blind tasting test of six wines, and (3) practical service and salesmanship test.
- Oral theory test: Must be passed first, in order to move on to exam’s remaining 2 tests. Provide authoritative information and advice on topics including (but not limited to) wines of the world, grape varieties, international wine laws, fortified wines, distillation methodology, variations of alcoholic beverages, cigar knowledge and recommendations, and product storage.
- Service test: May include (but is not limited to) menu content, ingredient discussions, beverage and aperitif presentation and recommendation, pairing suggestions, portion/pour sizes, wine service, charm and social skill, and complaint resolution.
- Blind wine tasting test: 25 minutes to correctly and clearly provide verbal evaluation of six wines for time period, grape varieties, country of origin, district and appellation of origin.
- Pass score requirement: 75% on each section.
- For more information regarding examination scenarios, it's advisable to consult The Court of Master Sommeliers.
Sommelier Salary & Wine Education
As mentioned earlier, the world of wine revolves around credentials, credentials, credentials. And with such a small percentage of earth-dwellers holding a unique and prestigious claim to vino fame, it’s no surprise that you’ll stand out from the crowd, should you pursue this path.
And it just might pay off. Might. (Eventually.)
A starting sommelier salary is typically about $28K, according to Forbes and the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, with a median salary reaching around $48K. Top-ranking Master Sommeliers have been known to earn upwards of $80K.
But keep in mind, going into this industry is more about investing in a passion, than it is about the pay.
If you want to dive in to some wine work, a great place to start is The Guild of Sommeliers, a non-profit organization and educational foundation. Not only is the Guild a great resource for job-hunters, but it also offers the advantage of a wealth of classes and connections, so that you can remain aware of industry trends, gain further experience, and increase your professional network — no matter what level of wine connoisseur you may be!
And with that, why not end with a little light-hearted wine humor…
“Just want to get your feet wet with some wine tasting or private wine education sessions? Virgin Experience Gifts offers a variety of Food and Wine Experiences throughout the U.S. — perfect to give as a gift or to satisfy your own curiosities.”
Information utilized in this post is credited to:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (& Kathleen Green)
The Court of Master Sommeliers
The Washington Post (& Dave McIntyre)
The Guild of Sommeliers
