Certified Sommelier

The Certified Sommelier qualification is the primary certification for wine and beverage professionals in the Hospitality Industry and is intended to provide a meaningful qualification for the working Sommelier. The examination will recognise beverage professionals whose knowledge, skills and demeanour are worthy of the title – Certified Sommelier.

The pre-requisite for this examination is the Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Sommelier Certificate. Candidates who wish to take the Certified Sommelier Certificate must do so within three years of passing the Introductory Certificate.

The Certified Sommelier Qualification is the pre-requisite for entry to the Advanced Sommelier Certificate course.

Objectives:

1. To create a minimum standard of service and knowledge for the Hospitality Industry.
2. To provide successful candidates with credentials to show employers their skills have been evaluated at a high level of proficiency by the leading authority on beverage service – the Internationally recognised Court of Master Sommeliers Worldwide.
3. To create a certification that provides all successful candidates with a sense of accomplishment while providing the most dedicated students an opportunity to further their education and skills at the Advanced and Masters levels.

The Certified Sommelier Examination comprises three parts:

1. Short written theory paper of 40 multiple choice and short answer questions.
2. Tasting test consisting of two wines tasted blind, and answered on a Tasting Grid.
   (Click on this link to download the Tasting grid and Instructions.)
3. Practical service test.

The pass mark is 60% in each section. All three sections must be passed together.

The theory paper is at a higher level than the Introductory Sommelier Certificate exam.

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