The Court of Master SommeliersSommelier · StudyBeta
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United States & Canada

What the Court’s Examination Syllabus 2026/2027 lists for United States & Canada, 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.
  2. AVA principles.
  3. Climatic conditions West Coast.
  4. Principal wine districts of California & varietals associated with these areas — Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco Bay area, Monterey, Santa Barbara & Paso Robles.
  5. Principal wine districts of Oregon — varietals produced, Willamette, Colombia Valley & Walla-Walla.
  6. Principal wine districts of Washington. Colombia Valley, Walla-Walla, Puget Sound & Yakima Valley.
  7. Climate related to topography.

Certified Sommelier

  1. AVA's associated with: Sonoma, Napa, Monterey & Santa Barbara.
  2. Principal wine districts of Washington / Oregon.

Advanced Certificate

  1. Sub districts of wine regions.
  2. Principal producers and sites.
  3. Specific Climatic influences.
  4. Ontario wine regulations. (VQA) (DVA)
  5. Wine producing regions of Canada & sub-districts of the Ontario area, Niagara peninsula & British Columbia.
  6. Principal varietal of Canadian areas.
  7. Ice Wine production.
  8. Appellation system.
  9. AVA's of California. (by district)
  10. Smaller regions of California — Mendocino, Lake, Livermore, St Luis Obispo, San Joaquim, South Coast, Central Valley & Sierra Foothills.
  11. Major producers in each district & varietals produced.
  12. New York state — Finger lakes & Long island.

MS Diploma

  1. Major producers & varietals grown.
  2. Principal vineyards and location.
  3. AVA's of New York State — Finger lakes, Hudson Valley, N Fork, Long Island & Hamptons.
  4. Labelling regulations. — USA.
  5. Canadian wine law and VQA's.
  6. Technicalities of Icewine production.
  7. Vintages for Icewines.
  8. Latest developments & updates.
In the course bookUSAChapter 3 · Wine Regions of the WorldIntroductory and Certified: ready in the study portal →