Sommeliers Speak Out After writing an omnibus article on the problems facing the Court of Master Sommeliers, we heard from many high-profile sommeliers who did not like how we portrayed the Court. Below are excerpts of the comments. Note: We removed many of the ad hominem attacks from their statements. We also edited comments for […]
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This article was updated in October 2020 to reflect new reporting by the New York Times that reveals troubling accounts of sexual violence within the Court of Master Sommeliers of America (CMSa). Several CMSa members have spoken up to defend the institution; we have given them their own page here: Sommeliers Speak Out. Is it […]
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Online Wine Classes Online wine classes are nothing new. Highly respected wine institutions like Wine Spectator and the University of California at Davis have offered online courses for years. Interest in such programs was initially high, but these programs did not attract a large audience. The truth was they were clunky and confusing for the […]
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Depression due To COVID 19 and anosmia is a growing program in the wine trade. Most of us take a well-functioning sense of smell for granted until it’s lost. Unfortunately, many studies and research papers have reported a decreased quality of life with temporary and permanent anosmia (the loss of smell). The first direct impact […]
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COVID-19. It has been more than a year that the world has encountered the novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2. Almost 86.5 million people have been infected with the virus with 1.87 million deaths. Ever since the virus had appeared on the face of the Earth, all the communities have been affected badly. The pandemic has not […]
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When you get bitten by the wine bug, you can’t stop thinking of the precious buzzy liquid. Wine is complex and satisfying because it’s about learning and learning some more; the more you know about wine and its nuances, the more you can enjoy each glass. If you think about it, wine is everywhere, from hotels […]
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Wine Tastings Classes Across America Wine classes are about enjoying wine and diving into the minute details. Very few things require as much attention as tasting a fine wine. The more you know about grape varieties, regions, producers, climate, soils, and vintages, the more you find when you stick your nose in a wine glass. […]
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The influence of French cuisine in our culture is undeniable. It has inspired chefs around the world for generations. As interpreted by talented chefs like Escoffier and Bocuse, classic French cuisine will never go out of fashion. Distinct regions divide France, each with deeply rooted cooking traditions. But one thing unites them all: wine. Whether […]
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Pairing food and wine is an innovative endeavor. Experimentation is part of mastering this exquisite craft, yet some pairings are so good that we go back to them again and again. These are the classic food and wine pairings, and although they’re not written in stone, consider them your culinary loadstars. Classics are known to […]
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Food and Wine Pairing Basics for the Aspiring Sommelier Pairing food and wine is one of the most exciting tasks for a sommelier. But it is also challenging: it takes a serious amount of expertise and experience to perform at the highest level. The best time to study this craft is while earning your L4 […]
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2019 marks 50 years since the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) was founded to provide wine and spirits education to the industry. Now the world’s largest provider of wine and spirits qualifications for both professionals and enthusiasts, WSET will be celebrating this landmark anniversary with a full schedule of activity throughout the year looking […]
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For the current scandals plaguing the CMS –including charges of racism and sexual violence– please refer to this page: Master Sommelier Scandals. The press release from the Court of Master Sommeliers, dated July 17th, 2019: In 2015, the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas created the Advanced Application Process to better accommodate the growing demand for […]
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Appetizers or hors d’oeuvres are small dishes designed to be appreciated before dinner. They awaken the appetite and build anticipation for the main event. It is customary to have an ample array of appetizers in a formal setting; however, these can be as simple as pigs in a blanket or as lavish as imperial Russian […]
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A career in wine is often seen as a glamorous and exciting profession, the antithesis of a regular office job or work in a high-pressure environment. While there are undoubtedly perks to working in wine, the amount of hard work and stress in this field is often underestimated. In truth, somms are a group of folks […]
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Working in Wine Sommeliers are not born; they must be educated, tested, and certified before earning the title. This is the purview of the wine instructor and a sommelier school. This article focuses on wine educator jobs and how to get one. Being a wine educator opens up a wide swath of career opportunities. While […]
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When we heard about a new wine school opening up in Philadelphia, we had great expectations. Philly has become one of the greatest towns for wine education. What Am I Drinking?! is using a sophisticated website and has a brick-and-mortar facility in Bryn Mawr, a wealthy suburb. Plus, the owner’s bio states she is a […]
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What Does a Sommelier Do? Your Wine Questions Answered. There’s no better learning about the wine business and the sommelier profession than talking with a sommelier. Every person in the industry has their own experiences, lessons learned, and tips to share, so you’ll learn something from everyone. B.R. Franco is a certified sommelier by the […]
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Pinot Noir: the most challenging cultivar of them all Although a delicious, fruity, light wine – the Pinot Noir grape is so delicate due to its sensitive skin that burns quickly, making fungus and rots a real threat. On top of that, Pinot Noir doesn’t offer as much yield as other varietals – which is […]
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Do you need a better understanding of some of the bizarre things that occur when it comes to wine? Have a burning wine question? Have you often felt trapped during a wine conversation because you had no idea what they were talking about? Do you have a burning wine question? Keep reading; we’ll help you out! […]
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For the current scandals plaguing the CMS –including charges of racism and sexual violence– please refer to this page: Master Sommelier Scandals October 9, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Kathleen Lewis(707) 255-5056 x11, klewis@mastersommeliers.org Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas Board of Directors Takes Unanimous Actions to Preserve Integrity of Examination Process NAPA, Calif. – The Board […]
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