The Advanced Sommelier Certificate is the Court’s third level, for beverage professionals with extensive wine service experience. It covers the key functions of theory, tasting, practical and business calculations.
The step up is real. The level is significantly higher than the Certified, and that considerable study is necessary before the course.
01How the five days run
The programme runs for five days. The first two and a half are coursework, and the last two and a half are examinations. The lectures are presented by Master Sommeliers, with wine tastings and a practical service demonstration.
The programme is designed for working sommeliers and beverage professionals who want to take their knowledge and service skills to a higher level, and who commit to the significant independent preparation it requires.
- Days one and twoCoursework: lectures by Master Sommeliers, tastings and a service demonstration.
- Day three, morningThe last half day of coursework.
- Day three, afternoon, to day fiveTwo and a half days of examinations: theory, tasting and service.
02The three examinations
The theory examination is a one-hour paper of 24 multiple-choice questions and 60 short-answer questions. The tasting examination is six wines tasted blind in 25 minutes, and it is verbal only. The practical examination is a 45-minute service test.
The pass mark is 60% in each section, and all three must be passed together. The six wines are three white and three red, and the candidate identifies, where appropriate, grape variety, country and district of origin and vintage.
