Best Sommelier Courses Compared

WSET vs CMS vs NWS

In the world of wine education, few paths are as revered as sommelier certification. The title of sommelier is no longer confined to restaurants; it has expanded to encompass all aspects of the wine industry, from winemaking to marketing. With this evolution, the demand for specialized training in the wine trade has grown, and sommelier certification has become the de facto standard.

When it comes to pursuing sommelier certification, there are several excellent options, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. To determine which program is best suited to your goals and aspirations, it is crucial to carefully consider your individual needs. To assist you in this endeavor, we present a comprehensive comparison chart and detailed descriptions of the programs below.

For the restaurant trade, there is no better credential than the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS). It is the only program that requires its students to be employed in the food industry to earn its higher credentials. For access to networking and influence, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is the key player, although they do not strictly offer sommelier certifications. For college-run courses and online programs, the National Wine School (NWS) is the winner. They are also a top pick for wineries, as they focus on the wine trade vs the restaurant trade.

How Much Do Sommelier Courses Cost?

Gone are the days when a sommelier’s domain was limited to the confines of a restaurant. Today, sommeliers find themselves in various roles within the wine industry, ranging from winemakers to wine marketers. With this expanding landscape, the need for specialized training in the wine trade has never been greater, making sommelier certification an invaluable asset.

The world of sommelier certification offers a range of options, from single-semester programs to comprehensive two-year diploma courses. Professional qualifications hold more weight in the wine trade than a traditional college education, making sommelier courses an attractive choice for those seeking a career in this field. The generally agreed-upon level of credentials for industry professionals is Level Three or equivalent.

Don’t just compare the cost of each program. There are hidden costs that must be factored into the budget alongside tuition; these include wine, travel, and other logistics. For WSET, the realistic all-in will be between $2,000 and $3,700 to earn your Level 3 credential. For CMS, that cost can be upwards of $17,000 due to required prep and logistics. For NWS, the cost will be between $1,000 and $2,500.

Which Sommelier Course Is Best for You?

It may come as no surprise that most wine schools offer some form of sommelier certification. However, what many people may not realize is that there are five distinct levels of certification available, ranging from beginner to Master-Level Sommelier. In our analysis, we have highlighted the top picks—NWS, CMS, and WSET—all of which provide a comprehensive curriculum spanning these five levels. We recommend consulting our Guide to Wine Certifications to delve deeper into the intricacies of sommelier certification in the United States.

Best for Restaurant Service

If your goal is a career in restaurants, you’ll want this type of sommelier course. It’s an honorable trade, but after COVID, its appeal has been lost for many aspiring sommeliers. WSET and CMS were developed with the restaurant trade in mind, and most of their graduates remain in this field.

Best for Academic Wine Study

If income and prestige are among your considerations, venturing into the production side of the wine trade may be a compelling choice. Contrary to popular belief, securing a job in this sector is not as arduous as one might think, provided you possess the appropriate credentials. The NWS offers a more academically focused approach to wine education, emphasizing the career path within wineries.

Best for Online Study

The number of online wine courses has been increasing dramatically. The two main providers of online wine courses are WSET and NWS. For international students, WSET has a much wider network and offers online programs in dozens of languages. NWS is only offered in the USA and is not available internationally.

Some schools like Napa Valley Wine Academy offer custom-built programs of their own as well. For a full outline of available programs, we recommend viewing our guide to online sommelier programs.

Sommelier Accreditation

In the realm of education, accreditation plays a vital role in establishing the value and credibility of degrees and diplomas. However, it is worth noting that no sommelier certification body offers accreditation. The current gold standard is state-level compliance, and only one of the top three can offer it. This may not pose a significant hurdle in the restaurant trade; it can become a challenging factor when seeking to transfer credits or seek employment outside of the restaurant trade.

Restaurant Trade Recognition

There are three types of certification for sommelier courses. The first is industry certification, also known as professional certification, trade certification, or qualification. They are typically designed by a private firm or trade organization. They are very limited in scope and have no legal protections for the students. This is the certification offered by both CMS and WSET.

State Compliance

The second is state-level compliance. Only a few elite wine schools offer this type of certification. Most wine schools don’t bother with this regulation, as there are no federal requirements for certifying sommeliers. Nor are there any state-level requirements for the professional licensing of sommeliers. The only national program offering this level of recognition is NWS.

Federal/Regional Accreditation

A state-authorized sommelier course is currently the gold standard of wine education available to the public. However, some universities offer sommelier courses as part of a Bachelor’s Program. These are not open to the public but are the only sommelier courses that offer federally recognized certification.

Frequently Asked Questions