How to Study for the Advanced Sommelier Exam and Pass It
An advanced sommelier course and examination may be the next step for those looking to advance their knowledge and skills in the wine and hospitality industry.
The advanced sommelier exam, offered by organizations such as the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas or Europe, is a rigorous and challenging test for those who have already passed the certified sommelier examination.
The advanced sommelier exam is all about diving deep into the world of wine, spirits, and top-notch service. Taking the advanced sommelier course is a smart move. It gives you all the know-how and skills needed to ace the advanced sommelier exam. Once you've nailed it, you can proudly move on from your certified sommelier pin.
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Advanced Sommelier is among the highest certificates in the hospitality and wine industry after Master Sommelier. In this blog, l will share some tips on studying and passing the Advanced Sommelier and hope to get you insight about this course. I will also share my experience with this course and why it is essential to obtain this sommelier certificate.
I will be covering five questions to answer and share with you.
1. What is the Advanced Sommelier exam, and what is it for?
2. How do I register to take the exam, and what are the fees involved?
3. What is the exam format, and how long does it take to complete?
4. What topics will be covered on the exam, and what level of knowledge is required to pass it successfully?
5. How can I best prepare for the exam, studying and practicing for the tasting component?
1. What is the Advanced Sommelier exam, and what is it for?
2019 Hong Kong
The Advanced Sommelier certification involves more than just extensive wine knowledge; it tests your skills through practical examinations.
To earn this prestigious certification, candidates must pass a blind tasting of six wines—identifying three reds and three whites—all within a tight timeframe of 25 minutes. But that's not all. The examination also includes a rigorous wine service component, where candidates must demonstrate proficiency in serving red wine, providing champagne service, and suggesting wine-food pairings, all designed to mimic real-world scenarios.
This level of detail ensures that those who pass are well-equipped for the demands of the wine and hospitality industry. I took on this challenging but rewarding journey and achieved my certification in 2019 in Hong Kong.
2. How do I register for the exam, and what are the fees?
Signing up for the course is straightforward, but it might take a bit of patience since it's quite popular and many candidates are eager to enroll. You can apply through the Court of Master Sommeliers' website and reach out to them via email, choosing the option that best suits your location.
The Court of Master Sommeliers offers the course in both America and Europe. I pursued my course with CMS-Europe but took it in Hong Kong. The fees for the course are subject to change, and the CMS team will inform you about the costs along with the terms and conditions once your application has been accepted.
Given there's often a waiting list, I recommend contacting the Court of Master Sommeliers one year after you've passed the certified sommelier level. They'll then invite you to join the course.
3. What is the exam format, and how long does it take to complete?
The exam format is quite different and more complex than the Certified Sommelier exam. The exam format is divided into three topics: a theory exam, a practice exam, and a blind exam. Each exam format takes one day, so it takes three days to complete your examination.
Let's dive into three topics to give you an idea of what you should expect for each exam.
A. Theory Exam
This is the hardest part because you will have only one hour to answer many questions. The exam has multiple-choice and short-written questions, and I can tell you that the questions are hard.
Before taking this exam, I suggest you study hard and learn about many wine regions. The passing rate is very low.
Here are some sample questions to help you understand what to anticipate
Please note that these Advanced Sommelier exam questions are just my ideas and not exact replicas of the exam questions.
What is the minimum aging requirement for Rare Rutherglen Muscat, and what is the sugar level?
Where is Pegasus Bay Winery?
Name 4 AVA from Mendocino
Where is the Montevideo wine region?
What is the minimum VT residual sugar level for Muscat and Riesling?
Name a grape from Seyssel?
Name two sub-region from Fitou?
Name four DOP from Lisboa
Where are Guenoc AVA, Wild Horse, and Fort Ross Seaview?
What is Ried, and give two regions?
I keep adding new quizzes, so you can clikc here if you want to see them.
B. Practice exam
The practice exam is divided into three sections: Champagne service, Red wine service, and wine pairing, plus some math for a beverage. Here are my tips for you to get ready for wine service. All sections take 45 minutes, so you will have 15 minutes for the demonstration for each section.
Champagne service
Learn about the most well-known Champagne producers and their prestige cuvees, including Rose Champagne. The Masters may ask questions about Champagne, including vintages, history, grapes, or even cru regions. You will also be asked about pairing as well.
I suggest studying all champagne producers intensely.
I have compiled a list of the most famous champagne houses and their most well-known wines, along with a pronunciation guide.
Red Wine Service
You can expect to be served fine wine and decanted by the masters. They will ask you for a red wine, which could be any fine wine worldwide, so be ready to study and learn.
Be prepared for any premium wine to be served and decanted. One of those wines could be a Super-Tuscan wine from Napa or Mendoza.
You will also be asked some spirit questions: vodka, gin, or cocktails.
Wine Pairings
You will be given the menu, and the masters will ask how to pair and why. They will ask you to choose a wine producer and expect you to give a good reason. You may also be given two tastings, including any spirits or wine. After that, you will be asked a beverage operation question.
So, be prepared for math.
Blind Tasting
Last, blind tasting is essential for preparing and passing this certificate. Within 25 minutes, you must identify three white and three red wines.
I suggest only focusing on classic wines for the Advanced Sommelier exam. You will be given only classic wines; I do not think the masters will let you taste something unique from Greece or Portugal. They want to see how you identify wines confidently. It will significantly help you to follow the CMS tasting grid and focus only on classic wines.
It takes time and effort to pass the Advanced Sommelier exam, so I suggest sitting for it within two years after you pass the certified Sommelier exam.
4. What topics will be covered on the exam, and what level of knowledge is required to pass it successfully?
All important wine topics will be covered, from viticulture to wine pairing and vintage. You must study thoroughly for all subjects; one of the Master Sommeliers once told me that if you do not know Médoc 1855 second growth, you should not take the Advanced Sommelier exam. So study hard but smartly.
I suggest you check their syllabus and go through all the topics. I also put together some useful tips for the CMS syllabus. If you want to read them, click here.
5. How can I best prepare for the exam, studying and practicing for the tasting component?
Creating a daily study plan is key to understanding wine better. Also, going over what you learn again and again helps a lot. I’ve made digital notes to keep revisiting the topics easier.
Additionally, I’ve started a membership where I share information on all sorts of wine topics. You’re welcome to join us. Think of it as buying me a cup of espresso each month, and in return, I'll share my study notes with you. This way, we can both learn more as I prepare for my master sommelier exam.
Click here to find out more about my membership.
Join our community and turn your passion for wine into proficiency. Choose from our affordable 6-month membership at $45, or go all in with a yearly membership at $60. Gain unlimited access to our comprehensive eBooks, including advanced and master-level notes.
To learn how to taste wine confidently, I recommend you form a tasting group with other sommeliers and meet once a week to practice. If you do not have the option to meet other sommeliers, it may be a good option for you to ask your team to prepare a blind tasting for your practice.
I prepared myself with my team because I worked and lived in Abu Dhabi. I was the only person in the city preparing an advanced course, so I arranged for my sommelier team to prepare for me to blind taste weekly. And it worked perfectly for me. I am confident you will find your way, but you must continue to taste and practice until your exam day.
Last but not least, becoming an Advanced Sommelier is a great certificate to have for your professional life and career. Still, the percentage of people who pass the exam is very low. After failing it the first time, I decided to give it another shot, and this time I was successful.
I hope reading this blog will give you insight into what to anticipate from the advanced sommelier studies.
Good luck
Regards
Alper
