WSET vs. CMS: What's the Difference?
Do you dive deep into wine, searching for new and exciting knowledge? Are you intrigued by the tremendous depth of information found within every bottle?
If so, it’s important to understand the differences between two popular credentials when understanding wine: The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certification and the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS).
In this blog post, you will discover what distinguishes these certifications from each other—and which is best for aspiring sommeliers. Read on to learn more about WSET vs. CMS!
WSET (the Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Certification
WSET is an internationally-recognized certifying body for wine professionals. It offers courses, from introductory to advanced, focusing on all aspects of the wine industry. The curriculum covers viticulture, grape varieties, production processes, tasting techniques, food pairing, and more. Students will receive a WSET certificate or diploma after completing each level.
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CMS (Court of Master Sommelier) Certification
The Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) is dedicated to educating individuals about wine and other spirits in the hospitality industry. It offers several courses in addition to its intensive Master Sommelier Diploma Program.
The course topics cover service excellence, business management skills, product knowledge, and customer service principles. Unlike WSET courses which focus on all aspects of the wine industry, CMS courses are designed to help those working in hospitality positions become better stewards of quality beverage programs.
What's the Difference?
WSET and CMS are two well-known wine and hospitality certifications that provide learning opportunities to those wanting to further their knowledge in the industry.
WSET offers a range of courses that focus on the commercial aspects of wine production and its markets, leading to qualifications ranging from Level 1 Awards to Level 4 Diploma qualifications in the Wines and Spirits Business. On the other hand, CMS provides hospitality training for professionals who wish to gain insight into the distinction between WSET wine studies and hospitality management classes.
The CMS coursework is focused on best service practices, industry trends, tasting skills, analysis, food and wine pairing strategies, and more. With WSET providing comprehensive knowledge about vines, wines, and spirits while CMS teaches the hospitality industry's best standards, both programs are essential in the ongoing success of any individual interested in working within the wine or hospitality industry.
The Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) are both organizations that provide education and certification in the wine and spirits industry, but they differ in several key ways:
Curriculum and focus: The CMS focuses primarily on training and certifying professional sommeliers, while the WSET offers a more comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of wine and spirits topics for both professionals and enthusiasts.
Exam format: The CMS exams are challenging and designed to test professional sommeliers' skills and knowledge. The exams are conducted in person and include a blind-tasting component. On the other hand, WSET exams are multiple-choice and can be taken online or in person.
Certification levels: The CMS offers four levels of certification, including the Introductory Sommelier, Certified Sommelier, Advanced Sommelier, and Master Sommelier. The WSET offers four levels of certification, including Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Accessibility: The CMS exams are only offered in certain locations, and the number of exam takers is limited. The WSET exams are more widely available and can be taken in many locations worldwide.
Cost: The CMS certification is generally more expensive than the WSET.
Recognition: The CMS certification is recognized and respected worldwide and is considered the highest level of certification in the sommelier profession. The WSET is well-respected, but the certification is geared more toward wine and spirits enthusiasts.
Career Path: The CMS is a more specific career path for sommeliers, while WSET can be used as a stepping stone for various careers in the wine and spirits industry, such as educators, wine merchants, winemakers, and other related fields.
Please note that these are general observations, and more detailed information can be obtained from the official websites of both organizations.
Exam Difference
WSET courses require passing a theory exam and a blind-tasting test to succeed. Meanwhile, CMS offers similar exams but with an additional requirement of passing a wine service examination as part of their certifications. In addition, WSET and CMS offer rigorous academic and wine-tasting requirements to ensure that only the most knowledgeable applicants get certified.
Wine or Hospitality Industry
The WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) courses focus on the science of wine, while CMS (Court of Master Sommeliers) courses broaden the base of wine knowledge to focus more on creating guest-friendly experiences.
Suppose you want to work in the wine industry. In that case, WSET is an excellent option because it will give you an in-depth understanding of wine production while teaching sampling techniques such as assessment, tasting, and vineyard management. However, your main focus is on hospitality.
In that case, CMS might be the better choice since its curriculum goes beyond the basics and provides tailored information for guest service workers. Whatever your career path, WSET or CMS have value-adding courses that should be considered for those working within the global hospitality and wine industries.
5 Key Points
1. WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) is an international organization that provides wine education programs and qualifications.
2. CMS (Court of Master Sommeliers) is a professional sommelier certification program.
3. WSET is more comprehensive and covers a broader range of wine topics, such as winemaking and vineyards.
4. The CMS program focuses more on practical skills like blind tasting, food pairing, and wine service.
5. Ultimately, it's up to you which program you choose - both are excellent options for aspiring sommeliers!
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Useful Links
Here are some links that will give you more information about both certification programs and help you see how WSET and CMS are different.
The WSET ( Wine and Spirit Education Trust ) Wine Course: Everything You Need to Know
