The Court of Master SommeliersSommelier · StudyBeta
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Germany

What the Court’s Examination Syllabus 2026/2027 lists for Germany, level by level.

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Candidates should have an increasing depth of knowledge of the subject matter as they progress to each level of qualification.

Introductory Certificate

  1. Climatic influences. Effects of climatic conditions on wines.
  2. German quality structure Qualitätswein, Pradikatswein.
  3. Anbaugebeit & location.
  4. Production terms. Einzellage, Grosslage, Bereich, Ortswein, Sekt, estate bottling.
  5. Principal grape varietals and crossings.
  6. Notable wine villages in the districts of Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz, Rheihessen.
  7. Soil structures, Mosel, Rheingau.
  8. Labelling terms indicating style i.e.: Trocken, Halbtrocken.
  9. Introduction to VDP structure & terms.

Certified Sommelier

  1. Location of principal wine villages and the appropriate anbaugebeit.
  2. Labelling terms: Classic, Selection.
  3. VDP structure. Erste Lage, Grosse Gewächs etc.

Advanced Certificate

  1. Climatic influences.
  2. In depth study of all anbaugebeit.
  3. Quality structure AP no.
  4. Landwein nomenclature.
  5. VDP grading of wines & approved varietals.
  6. Vine crossings.
  7. Required sugar levels (Oechsle) for QmP grades.
  8. Principal producers and sites.

MS Diploma

  1. Principal producers and wines/ sites.
  2. Monopole sites.
  3. Soils of principal sites.
  4. Min ageing requirements for Grosses Gewächs wines.
  5. Parentage of common crosses.
  6. Principal villages and sites in all anbaugebeit.
  7. Vintages for past 20 years.
  8. Latest developments & updates.
In the course bookGermanyChapter 3 · Wine Regions of the WorldCome back to sharpen: terms and pronunciation are the quickest things to lose.