If you are looking to become a sommelier, you’re probably planning to be a great one (we hope). Sommeliers spend years learning, educating, growing, and testing to not just become a certified sommelier professionally but to also know everything they can be about the world of wine. Sommeliers generally want to help people experience wine properly with the right pairings, teach people about wine and truly experience wine in a new way through both taste and smell. And most sommeliers also want to make money while doing all this. So what are the best classes to take to become a professional sommelier? How long does it take to become a sommelier? We are going to answer all of these questions and more to help you decide if becoming a sommelier is the right career choice for you.

What is a Sommelier?

A sommelier is like a wine aficionado’s superhero. They are the ones responsible for curating the wine list, assisting customers in selecting the perfect wine to accompany their meals, and ensuring that the wine service is nothing short of impeccable. But being a sommelier isn’t just about tasting wine all day – it’s a lot of hard work and dedication. So if you’re like most people who are interested in this career, you probably have a few questions.

The top 5 questions about becoming a sommelier

  1. How many levels of sommelier are there?
    There are a total of four levels of sommelier: Introductory Sommelier, Certified Sommelier, Advanced Sommelier, and Master Sommelier. The Court of Master Sommeliers conducts four levels of tests, and each test gets harder the further up you go. You do not have to become a Master Sommelier to make a living as a sommelier, but with the added knowledge comes added price value as well.
  2. How long does it take to become a sommelier?
    Each level to becoming a sommelier takes a different amount of time and depends on your knowledge beforehand for how long it will take to pass the tests to become a sommelier. An Introductory Sommelier must undergo a two-day test to become a Level 1: Introductory Sommelier, so this can be done quickly with the proper knowledge ahead of time. A Certified Sommelier goes through a one-day test that is harder than the previous ones to officially be called a sommelier. Again, the length of time needed to be able to pass this test depends on the person and their knowledge of wine. To become a Level 3: Advanced Sommelier, you must go through five days of testing and pass to get to this level. The Level 4: Master Sommelier takes anywhere from 18 months to three years to complete. So overall, it could take four to five years to become a Master Sommelier, but it can take just a few months to pass the other sommelier tests to become a Level 1, 2 or 3 sommelier.
  3. How hard are the tests to become a sommelier?
    The tests to become a sommelier become harder and harder through each level. The level one test for the Introductory Sommelier consists of an actual multiple choice test and hand-written portion on theory and wine history. The level two test for the Certified Sommelier consists of blind tasting two wines and instruction on theory and service procedures. You must be able to distinguish between the two and break down the components of each. There is then another 30-minute test on a variety of wines and their origins. And finally, one other test over wine and champagne decanting. The level three test for the Advanced Sommelier consists of a three day seminar followed by two days of testing on tastings, theories, and service skills. The level four test for the Master Sommelier consists of three main parts: tasting, service, and theory. There are also other components such as sales ability, advanced etiquette, and the ability to define different wines through taste and smell. Other testing points include identifying the region of the world certain grapes are from for wine manufacturing, and also identify and speak knowledgeably about wine storage and manufacturing techniques.
  4. What is the difference between WSET and CMS?
    Both The WSET and CMS teach wine education and are approved by The Court of Master Sommeliers. The main difference is The WSET focuses more on the communication side and is more suited for educators, sales-focused positions, wine trade, and higher level executives in the wine industry. While the CMS focuses more on the service side and is best suited for those in the wine industry as waiters, waitresses, bar tenders, and other similar positions. At Capital Wine School, we offer WSET courses to help you gain the knowledge you need as you work towards becoming a sommelier.
  5. How much does the average sommelier make?
    According to binwise.com, the average Level 1: Introductory Sommelier makes an average of $40-$50,000 a year. A Level 2: Certified Sommelier makes an average of $60-$70,000 a year. A Level 3: Advanced Sommelier makes an average of $70-$80,000 a year, and a Level 4: Master Sommelier makes an average of $150,000 a year.

As you can see, becoming a sommelier is not necessarily an easy career choice, but it can be very rewarding and fulfilling, both emotionally and monetarily. Sharing a love and passion for wine with others and helping them create amazing pairings for special events are all part of helping others create wonderful memories they will never forget. Remember, the world of wine is vast and diverse, and it’s open to everyone, whether you choose to become a certified sommelier or simply enjoy it as a delightful hobby.

We hope we’ve helped answer some of your questions about becoming a sommelier. If after reading this you have decided to begin your journey towards becoming a sommelier, you can view our wine class schedule here. We have WSET wine classes for all four levels and can help teach you and guide you every step of the way. We look forward to helping you begin your career as a knowledgeable and successful sommelier.