Court of Master Sommeliers: Advanced Sommelier Certificate

The Court of Master Sommeliers was established in 1977 in the United Kingdom to encourage improved standards of beverage service, formalizing work that had begun with the very first Master Sommelier examination in 1969 at Vintners Hall in London. The organization was set up under the supervision of the Vintners Company, the Institute of Masters of Wine, the British Hotels and Restaurants Association, the Wine and Spirit Association of Great Britain, and the Wholesale Tobacco Trade Association. Over time, the Court recognized that its single top-tier exam was too inaccessible, so it introduced the Advanced, Certified, and Introductory levels to create a structured pathway. The Americas chapter was established in 1987, with its first exam held in Monterey, California.

• Founded in 1977 in the UK; the first MS exam predates the organization, held in 1969 at Vintners Hall in London
• Americas chapter (CMS-A) established in 1987, now also conducting exams in Asia
• Four certification levels: Introductory Sommelier, Certified Sommelier, Advanced Sommelier, and Master Sommelier Diploma
• All courses and examinations are taught and assessed exclusively by practicing Master Sommeliers

Often referred to informally as the 'Mini Master,' the Advanced Sommelier Certificate occupies the critical third rung of the CMS ladder. It demands significantly more depth than the Certified Sommelier level in terms of required experience, knowledge, and skill. Candidates must first attend the mandatory three-day Advanced Sommelier Course, which consists of classroom lectures and small group tasting sessions led by Master Sommeliers, before sitting the examination. The CMS recommends waiting at least one full calendar year after passing the Certified Sommelier exam before attempting the Advanced level, allowing adequate time for professional development and structured study.

• Commonly called the 'Mini Master' for its close resemblance in format and depth to the Master Sommelier Diploma exam
• Mandatory prerequisite: candidates must complete the three-day Advanced Sommelier Course before sitting the examination
• CMS recommends a minimum of one year of additional industry experience and study between Certified and Advanced levels
• Passing the Advanced exam is the required gateway to eligibility for the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination

The Advanced Sommelier Examination is divided into three components, all of which must be passed within the same calendar year at a minimum threshold of 60% each. The written theory section covers global wine regions, grape varieties, winemaking techniques, beverage service, and business principles, combining multiple-choice and 60 short-answer questions. The blind tasting component requires candidates to verbally describe and identify six wines in just 25 minutes, using the Court's Deductive Tasting Method. The 45-minute practical service examination evaluates tableside skills including decanting, glassware selection, wine presentation, food pairing recommendations, and salesmanship. As of 2022, the CMS Americas chapter separated the Theory component, delivering it at Pearson VUE testing centers nationwide to improve access.

• Three sections: written theory, six-wine blind tasting in 25 minutes, and a 45-minute practical service exam
• Minimum passing score of 60% required in each section; all three must be passed within the same calendar year
• Blind tasting uses the CMS Deductive Tasting Method, requiring verbal description of appearance, nose, palate, and reasoned identification of grape, origin, and vintage
• Since 2022, the Theory component is administered at Pearson VUE centers, separating it from the Practical and Tasting portions held at designated exam sites

The Advanced Sommelier exam demands comprehensive mastery across all major wine-producing regions, fortified and sparkling wines, spirits, beer, and sake. Candidates must understand viticulture fundamentals including canopy management, harvest timing, and site selection, as well as winemaking and aging techniques such as malolactic fermentation, oak maturation, and method traditionelle production. Strong command of the legal classification systems governing wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Germany, Champagne, Sherry, and Port is essential. The exam also covers wine list construction, beverage business principles, and service protocols, reflecting the Court's foundational emphasis on hospitality excellence alongside wine knowledge.

• Old World depth: Burgundy classification, Bordeaux Left and Right Bank distinctions, German Pradikat system, Champagne production rules
• Fortified wine mastery: Sherry styles (Fino through Oloroso), Port aging categories (LBV, Colheita, Tawny, Vintage), and Madeira production
• New World coverage: California AVA structure, Australian regional diversity, New Zealand and South American premium regions
• Non-wine beverages tested: beer styles, sake categories, spirits production, and cocktail fundamentals

The CMS pathway is fundamentally service-oriented, emphasizing blind tasting precision, practical hospitality skills, and direct candidate progression through sequential levels. WSET, by contrast, is communications-oriented and does not require prerequisites between levels, making it well suited to wine trade professionals, educators, and importers. The WSET Diploma (Level 4) is the nearest academic parallel to the CMS Advanced in terms of topic depth, but its assessment style centers on written essays and structured analysis rather than on-the-spot verbal identification. The CMS Advanced carries significant prestige within fine dining establishments, particularly in North America, while WSET qualifications are widely recognized across the international wine trade and in educational institutions globally.

• CMS is service-oriented; each level must be passed sequentially before advancing to the next
• WSET is communications-oriented, with no mandatory prerequisites between levels and a stronger academic writing component
• CMS Advanced blind tasting (six wines verbally in 25 minutes) is more demanding in real-time pressure than WSET's structured written tasting assessments
• Both credentials are complementary; many wine professionals pursue CMS and WSET certifications in parallel

The Court recommends at least one year of dedicated preparation after passing the Certified Sommelier exam before attempting the Advanced level. Effective preparation combines systematic study of regional classification systems, regular blind tasting practice using the CMS Deductive Tasting Method, and participation in mentoring programs connecting candidates with active Master Sommeliers. The CMS Americas chapter now provides structured post-exam feedback reports to all candidates, helping identify specific areas for improvement. Candidates who pass the Advanced exam typically spend several additional years refining their skills before attempting the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination, where the Theory component alone carries an approximate 10% pass rate.

• CMS recommends at least one full year of study and industry experience between the Certified and Advanced exams
• Regular blind tasting practice using the CMS Deductive Tasting Method is central to Advanced exam preparation
• The CMS Americas now offers a remote mentoring program connecting candidates with Master Sommeliers regardless of location
• After earning the Advanced certificate, candidates must also pass the Master Sommelier Theory Certificate before sitting the full Diploma exam