The Advanced Exam is a considerably more demanding program than the basic Certificate Course, and is a necessary step in the progression toward the Master Sommelier Diploma. Our recent experiences with Advanced programs have revealed that many candidates come to the course lacking the level of preparation necessary to have a chance at passing this quite challenging examination.
If, as you read this, you can recite from memory facts such as the Grands Crus of the Cote de Nuits, the satellites of St. Emilion, the districts of Chianti, the AVAs of Sonoma County, or the Bereiche of the Rheinhessen, you have probably reached the degree of preparedness needed to pass this examination. These are only examples of information that may be required, but this level of detailed knowledge of all the world's wine producing areas is necessary to have a chance to succeed.
Entrance into the Advanced Course is via a selection process of the Court of Master Sommelier's academic admissions committee. You must have passed the Introductory Sommelier Exam and the Certified Sommelier Exam and have a mandatory five years minimum experience in the wine/service industry.
Candidates who pass the Advanced Course (on the average about 25% of those who try for it) are then qualified to take the Master Sommelier Examination itself. The pass rate for the M.S. exam is approximately 10% of the candidates.
Download the 2008 Advanced Course application(.pdf), or please contact the Administrative Office at
Court of Master Sommeliers
American Chapter
P.O. Box 6170
Napa, CA 94581
707.255.5056
New contact info: Kathleen Lewis - klewis@mastersommeliers.org
