The Introductory Sommelier Certificate is where every candidate starts. It is the first level at which all prospective Master Sommeliers should begin, and there is no way around it: you must complete every level.
It is not an introduction to wine. It is an introduction to the Court’s own tasting techniques, philosophy and culture, and recommends an above-average knowledge of wine before you attempt the exam.
01How the three days run
The first two days are teaching. The coursework is lectures, tastings and a practical service demonstration, and the lectures are presented by Master Sommeliers. The third day is the examination.
The course covers elementary practices in the vineyard and winery, the grape varieties and classifications of the major wines of the world, the technical skills of wine service, spirits and liqueurs, the importance of social skills, the fundamentals of matching wine with food, and an introduction to wine tasting.
- Day oneCoursework: lectures by Master Sommeliers, with wine tastings.
- Day twoCoursework, including a practical service demonstration.
- Day threeExaminations: the theory paper and the practical service test.
02The examination
There are two parts. The first is a multiple-choice theory paper of 65 questions. The second is a short practical service test. The pass mark is 60% for each, and both must be passed together.
There is no tasting examination at this level. No wines are examined in the Introductory exam, even though the deductive tasting method is taught from this first level.
