
The US Sommelier Association is a Florida non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and teaching of the wine culture to wine lovers and industry professionals.
The United States Sommelier Association (USSA) was founded in 1995 by wine masters from New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Aspen. The USSA is a Florida non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and teaching of the wine culture to wine lovers and industry professionals.
Previously, wine program locations included Miami Beach, San Francisco, and Napa Valley. However, their Miami classroom has closed, and they do not offer any classes. The last mention of any available programming was in 2016.
The USSA offers multiple levels of wine course certification programs., including the National Certificate Program, Advanced Sommelier Certificate, a Five-Day Immersion Certificate, and a Sommelier Certificate Immersion Course.
United States Sommelier Association focuses on the practical aspects of enjoying wine. A selection of wines from around the world will be tasted in each course, offering a broad introduction to all wines. In addition, many wines are tasted blind to make learning interactive and fun. Courses include theoretical knowledge, practical service, sensory evaluation through technical tastings with master aroma kits, food & wine pairing, deciphering wine labels, and sabering.
The president and founder of this wine school is Rick Garced. he has been bestowed recognition awards such as the Past Distinguishing Visiting Sommelier Award from Johnson & Wales University and Commandeur d’Honneur de la Commanderie du Bontemps, Médoc et Graves, Sauternes et Barszac, Bordeaux, and an Official Certified Wine Educator World Wide for L’Ecole du Vin, Bordeaux, Ambassadeurs des vins du Médoc. He is now the VP of National Accounts and Brand Educator for Gérard Bertrand Wines. He was also a wine editor and columnist for Dining Out Magazine.
I was in the second week-long class so many years ago. Participants were expected to arrive with an incredible amount of wine knowledge so that this course would take us to the next level. People from various countries and all across the states were classmates. We covered both Old and New World, blind tasted, comparisons of three, why a specialty wine glass and a cut rim. It was intense and thorough! I’ve used the advancement of my knowledge to serve as a volunteer to non-profits when they offer charity wine tasting fundraisers. I see the Miami class is no longer offered.
Their site notes that their Wine School focuses on the practical aspects of enjoying wine, with that being said, it seems that they do not have a holistic approach to wine education from a global perspective.
Can’t get hold of anyone at USSA